Oleksandr Usyk’s monumental victory over Tyson Fury on May 18 catapulted him into the annals of boxing history, as he emerged as the undisputed heavyweight champion. With this achievement, Usyk joined an elite group of boxers, including Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, as one of only three male fighters to hold undisputed world titles in two weight classes.
Eddie Hearn, a prominent figure in the boxing world and promoter of Anthony Joshua, Usyk’s former opponent, believes that the Ukrainian has now surpassed Crawford and Inoue as the pound-for-pound king of boxing. Having faced Usyk’s prowess firsthand in Joshua’s bouts against him, Hearn’s endorsement carries significant weight.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Hearn affirmed Usyk’s claim to the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. He highlighted Usyk’s remarkable journey from undisputed cruiserweight champion to undisputed heavyweight champion, emphasizing his victories over Joshua and Fury as a testament to his greatness.
Despite formidable competition from the likes of Inoue, Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez, Hearn believes that Usyk’s achievements, particularly considering his size disadvantage in the heavyweight division, raise him to the pinnacle of the sport.
Confirming the anticipation for a rematch, Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, announced that Fury would exercise his rematch clause to face Usyk again. The highly anticipated rematch is slated to take place in October in Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for another epic showdown between the two heavyweight titans.
Usyk’s victory over Fury and his subsequent ascension to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings underscore his dominance and skill in the ring. As he prepares to defend his undisputed heavyweight title in a rematch against Fury, the boxing world eagerly awaits the continuation of Usyk’s remarkable journey and his quest for continued greatness.
