Oleksandr Usyk within punching distance of boxing immortality

The Ukrainian owns three of the four heavyweight belts. If Tyson Fury can be persuaded into the ring for a fight to unify the four titles, Usyk will have the opportunity to achieve a rare distinction: become an ‘undisputed’ champion in two weight classes

Oleksandr Usyk is a step away from everlasting boxing greatness. 

The Ukrainian pugilist successfully defended his World heavyweight titles with a split-decision win over Anthony Joshua in a rematch, dubbed ‘Rage on the Red Sea’, last month. He thus retained possession of his WBA, WBO and IBF belts, remaining the unified champion. 

There’s only one heavyweight title that Usyk doesn’t own — the WBC belt, which Tyson Fury kept after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in April.

Victory over the 6’9” Fury would unite all four heavyweight titles, making Usyk the undisputed champion. What’s more, the 35-year-old ring-master will have the incredibly rare honour of achieving ‘undisputed’ status in two weight classes, having already been the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to the heavyweight division.

Add his outstanding amateur credentials — he is an Olympic, World and European champion! — and you realise that Usyk is one of the most decorated boxers in the sport’s rich history. 

It isn’t merely the incredible success; it’s also the extreme circumstances in which he has risen. 

Six months ago, he was patrolling the streets of Kyiv with an automatic rifle and defending Ukraine from the invading Russians. Indeed, it wasn’t until he was asked to fight Joshua by Ukrainian soldiers he was visiting in a medical facility that Usyk decided he would box again.