Undefeated boxer Oleksandr Usyk has faced five British opponents during his career so far. As he prepares for a second fight against Daniel Dubois, Usyk offered some straightforward insights into the UK fighters he`s previously battled.
Usyk holds an impressive record against British competition, having defeated seven UK opponents in his last eight professional bouts.
After unifying the cruiserweight titles in July 2018, Usyk traveled to Manchester four months later to take on former WBC champion Tony Bellew. Usyk delivered a standout performance, securing one of the most clinical finishes of his career by stopping the Liverpool native in the eighth round.
In a conversation with former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton for DAZN, Usyk spoke about his experiences facing British fighters, starting with Bellew.
He described Bellew as a “great test” and a “great man,” noting that Tony “gave me opportunity.”
The victory over Bellew marked Usyk`s final contest at cruiserweight. Following the break caused by the Covid pandemic, Usyk made his heavyweight debut against Derek Chisora in October 2020. This fight was intended as the first step in his quest for the sport`s most significant prize – the heavyweight world title.
Usyk also commented on Chisora, calling him a “Great man” and another “big test” in his career.
While the win against Chisora was a challenging night`s work, Usyk subsequently dominated the heavyweight landscape, defeating Anthony Joshua twice, then Daniel Dubois, and most recently, Tyson Fury in consecutive fights last year.
Usyk is scheduled to return to the UK on July 19th for a rematch with Daniel Dubois, two years after their initial meeting. Their first fight in Poland included a notable controversy in the fifth round when Dubois landed a punch that referee Luis Pabon ruled a low blow. Dubois and his team strongly disputed the call, believing it was a legal body shot. Frampton asked Usyk how he would have responded if the referee had initiated a ten-count instead of allowing him time to recover.
Usyk responded confidently, stating, “If referee start one, two, three I wake up no problem. Not problem for me.”
Having vacated the IBF title last year, Usyk currently holds three of the four major heavyweight championship belts. Daniel Dubois, meanwhile, holds the remaining belt and has shown strong form recently with three significant victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua.
These recent wins have helped Dubois move past the disappointments of his previous losses to Joe Joyce and Usyk, both fights where he faced accusations of quitting. Usyk was asked if the nature of those defeats indicated a potential weakness in Dubois.
“Little bit. Yes. Little bit,” Usyk replied. “Because maybe it`s a younger guy. Maybe. I don`t know. But Daniel a little bit afraid,” he added candidly. With his characteristic blend of frankness and philosophy, Usyk smiled and concluded, “I am too! But my afraid is different.”
