Oleksandr Usyk Snubs Anthony Joshua While Revealing Strongest and Weakest British Opponents

OLEKSANDR USYK has snubbed Anthony Joshua when deciding who has the best attributes out of the opponents he has faced. The undisputed world champion named the likes of Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew during his quizzing.

Usyk, 37, has fought 21 opponents at the professional level and has won all 22 of the fights he has had. His bouts cover the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, with his most recent victory over Tyson Fury making him the undisputed heavyweight champion. Usyk named that contest as the most difficult he has had, with Fury taking him to the final bell. The Ukrainian bossed the majority of that fight and secured a knockdown, but admitted Fury has the best defense of any boxer he has faced.

When asked about the best attributes among British boxers, Usyk snubbed Anthony Joshua in favor of other fighters. He was asked which Brit had the best attribute for multiple categories and picked Chisora as the hardest puncher he has faced over Joshua. Usyk overlooked Joshua for another category he should have been a shoo-in for—speed. Tony Bellew was Usyk’s pick for that category, as he had the best footwork. Usyk also named Fury for the best boxing IQ. However, at least Joshua was not picked for the easiest fight category—that dishonor went to Joe Joyce, whom Usyk beat before turning professional.

Oleksandr Usyk’s comments and choices reflect his assessment of the various strengths and weaknesses of his British opponents, highlighting his respect for their diverse skills while subtly diminishing Anthony Joshua’s standing among them. As Usyk continues his reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion, his opinions and observations carry significant weight in the boxing community, providing insights into the competitive landscape of the sport.