Oleksandr Usyk has repeated a feat in the ring that only Evander Holyfield before him could manage.
Following Olympic Gold success and turning pro, the Ukrainian cleared out the cruiserweight ranks, beating Krzysztof Głowacki, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev to become undisputed champion. After a divisional farewell fight against Tony Bellew, he moved up to heavyweight.
A win over Anthony Joshua made him unified champion and two successful defences – a rematch with ‘AJ’ and a mandatory challenge from Daniel Dubois – set him up to face Tyson Fury for the final belt. He won via split decision.
Now set to rematch Fury, many have wondered what’s next for Usyk should he win and the decide to fight on. The man himself has toyed with the idea of a return to the 200lbs division.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, current IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Jai Opetaia – who has in the past said his eventual plan is to move up like the Ukrainian did – said he would love the fight.
“Respectfully, I would love to share the ring with him. When I fought here in London at the Olympic Games he won the division that I was in. I’ve always been close to the top, I’ve always been in the dark corner and just scratching and clawing and waiting for my opportunities. I would love to fight a fighter like that, and I feel like I do have the style to beat him.”
29-year-old Opetaia’s recent and speedy rise in the cruiserweight ranks peaked after Usyk had moved up to heavyweight. Whilst it wasn’t expected that the pair would fight back then, there’s little doubt it would be a treat for fans and a technical match-up of an extremely high standard – the fearless aggression of Opetaia pitted against the elite movement and gas tank of Usyk.
As a testament to Opetaia’s skills, Fury even invited the southpaw into his camp for sparring to emulate Usyk although a change of fight plans led him to leave early. He had offered his services for the rematch, but a fight against Jack Massey on October 12 may prevent him from joining the Brit’s training set-up afterwards.
