From The Vault: Usyk Dominates Klitschko in Sparring

From The Vault: Usyk Dominates Klitschko in Sparring

By Henry Walter

Oleksandr Usyk was told to stop sparring with then heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko during the build up to the 2015 Fury-Klitschko bout, that’s according to former world champ turned pundit Johnny Nelson.

Nelson stated:

“He did one round with Wladimir and Wladimir slung him out and said, ‘get out, not while the press is here.’ ”

Nelson also claimed that, former undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk “bossed” the spar despite being the much smaller man.

The comments will add interest to the heavyweight career of Usyk, who recently debuted in the division with a seventh round win over American contender Chazz Witherspoon.

Usyk, who regularly boxed as a middleweight in his early amateur days, is chasing fights with WBC champion Deontay Wilder and lineal champion Tyson Fury.

Ranked in most media outlets top five pound for pound, Usyk will likely be giving away considerable weight to most of his future opponents in the division. It will be fascinating to see if he can use his brilliant skillset to overcome his size deficit against the very best.