FightPost Boxer of the Week: Oleksandr Usyk

FightPost Boxer of the Week: Oleksandr Usyk

By Michael Richards 

This weekend saw the end of an era and end of a career, as Tony Bellew called it a day, after facing cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk. This article needs no building up, it is simply a sheer appreciation of a boxer who is one of the current pound 4 pound best in the world.

I was lucky enough to be sitting ringside on Saturday, hoping for a fairy tale ending for ‘The Bomber’. Usyk, however, hadn’t read the script and went about business as professionally and emphatically as ever.

There was plenty of pre-fight talk about the power that Bellew possesses and for the first two rounds at least, Bellew boxed superbly, taking both rounds at a canter, with Usyk not being suckered in to a fire fight early on, happy to work out the shaven headed scouser.

Bellew’s movement was terrific, with him boxing on the back foot, targeting the body with stiff jabs in those early rounds. Round 3 saw the Ukrainian champion open up slightly, taking a share of the round. He was comfortable by that stage and seemingly waiting for his moment to pounce on Bellew.

Rounds 4 and 5 was when the tide began to turn, the pressure increasing from Usyk and his left hand coming in to play, with Bellew prepared to fire back. It was a left hand right on the bell at the end of the sixth round that really proved pivotal. Bellew’s legs stiffened, with him feeling that intense power properly, for the first time. Usyk appeared to pick his opponent apart with great accuracy and venom. It was unbelievable to watch at such close quarters. Usyk is a giant of a man, but moved with unerring balance and poise.

After that sixth round, it was as if he had broken Bellew’s heart, with him unable to continue his earlier success.

When the end came after a sickening left hand in round 8, it almost came as a relief. As a fan of Tony Bellew, part of me wanted to make sure he got out of the ring in as fit a state as possible. Eddie Hearn’s concern at ringside was echoed by so many. A career that has put up the proverbial two fingers to the masses, was now coming to close, at the hands of one of the best boxers at any weight.

I look back on Saturday with a sense of awe and massive appreciation for a boxer who now steps up to the Hollywood division of heavyweight, ready to ruffle a few feathers. Usyk is a master at patience and clearly carries serious power. He trusts his own ability and with that almost psychotic stare, strikes fear into his opponents.

I’ve witnessed the likes of Golovkin and Joshua live over the years, never thinking I would get the opportunity to see anything top either of those two in the UK. I was seriously wrong. At cruiserweight, Usyk is not only the real deal, he’s unbeatable. His skill set is refined and his power unnerving.

The question now is, will he cut it at heavyweight and be able to take a shot from someone 17 stone and above. I go on record now and confirm he will. Joshua and co all need to take serious note. King Usyk is coming and he poses a serious threat to the current heavyweight royalty.