Despite his current status as one of the best heavyweights of all time, Oleksandr Usyk came unstuck in a forgotten fight against a much smaller foe.
Long before his cruiserweight championship success, Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed heavyweight titleholder, landed Olympic gold to round out a stellar amateur career.
And amid links to a whole host of potential fights in his heavyweight return, Usyk has provided a sizeable update on his comeback to the ring.
Enjoying an undefeated pro run, Usyk would fail to ever get the chance to avenge a forgotten amateur defeat to a rather surprise opponent.
Oleksandr Usyk was almost dropped in loss to Shawn Porter
Likely coming as a surprise to many, back in 2006, Usyk shared the ring with future WBC welterweight champion Shawn Porter during the duo’s amateur careers.
Meeting in a USA vs. Ukraine tournament 19 years ago, Usyk — who weighed 165lbs at the time of his fight, matched up with the much smaller Porter, with the duo around 20 years of age.
And landing a shock decision win over Usyk over the course of their four-round clash, Porter almost dropped the Ukrainian in the final round of their clash, landing a straight right hand which had tagged Usyk throughout the eight-minute fight.
Reflecting on his forgotten win over Usyk in the time since, Porter revealed how he badly wobbled the Ukrainian megastar in the final round of their fight.
“The final round; less than a minute in, I caught him (Usyk) with a right hand. He didn’t stumble back but he took a couple of steps back, enough for me to know that he was hurt,” Porter said on his podcast.
“I jumped on him, kept boxing, and won the fight by four points.”
Tyson Fury goaded Oleksandr Usyk after Shawn Porter loss
21 fights deep into his professional career, Usyk — who had held undisputed cruiserweight title– was set to vie for the undisputed heavyweight crown against the outspoken Tyson Fury.
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And ahead of their first pairing, Fury mocked Usyk for his loss against Porter back in 2006, vowing to defeat him if the 5ft 7in welterweight star could topple him.
“.@ShowtimeShawnP Shawn Porter 5’7” welterweight guy beat @usykaa. Imagine what I’m gonna do to ya.” Fury posted on X.
Going on to twice face former WBC heavyweight champion Fury in the ring, Usyk would prevail in both outings to clinch the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Fury has since campaigned for a trilogy fight with his arch-nemesis, vowing to defeat Usyk if he gets a third opportunity.