Oleksandr Usyk will look to become an undisputed heavyweight world champion for the second time when he faces Daniel Dubois on July 19th.
As Usyk’s win over Dubois has some controversy attached to it, he will look to have a smoother victory when the two meet in a rematch. Fighting at Wembley Stadium, all of the heavyweight titles will be on the line in the unification bout.
Usyk will be looking to extend his professional record to 24-0. As one of the few undisputed world title holders, Usyk will look to join Rocky Marciano as a retired, undefeated world heavyweight champion.
However, Usyk has not had an easy professional career in his 11 active years. With notable huge names on his resume, the Ukrainian has not avoided hard fights. With this in mind, some top fighters were left out as Usyk named his toughest ever bouts.
- READ MORE: ‘What a joke’… Fans unhappy of fighter’s omission as Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois reports emerge
Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora named among Oleksandr Usyk’s toughest fights
In a recent interview with TalkSport, Usyk was asked who the toughest fight of his career was. Potentially with too many to choose from, Usyk listed three names.
The first fighter mentioned by Usyk was Derek Chisora. The two met in 2020, as Chisora gave Usyk a tough run before losing out via unanimous decision.
Usyk would then quickly add Tyson Fury to his answer. However, he would specify that it was the first fight with the ‘Gypsy King’.
Fury and Usyk met for the first time in May 2024. Fighting for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion, the fight was a razor-close one. However, it was Usyk who emerged the victor via split-decision, after scoring a knockdown in round nine.
Chisora and Fury were the only heavyweights mentioned by Usyk. This means that the British pair Dubois and Anthony Joshua were excluded from the topic by the champion.
- READ MORE: ‘I can’t wait to get revenge’… Daniel Dubois reflects on Oleksandr Usyk loss ahead of huge rematch
Oleksandr Usyk adds Tony Bellew as one of the toughest fights of his career
After being reminded by his manager of his meeting with Tony Bellew, Usyk enthusiastically added his name to the conversation before apologising for his omission. “Tony, brother, I’m sorry.”
Usyk’s 2018 meeting with Bellew in Manchester was the final cruiserweight outing of his career. After seven completed rounds, Usyk was slightly behind on the judges’ scorecards.
However, Usyk would be able to stop Bellew. Scoring a TKO in the eighth round, Usyk was able to defend his cruiserweight titles.
A potential omission for tough cruiserweight fights may include Mairis Breidis, whom Usyk beat via majority decision.