Imagine a fighter so dominant, no one has ever managed to defeat him, let alone knock him out! That's the incredible reality for Oleksandr Usyk, a boxer who has truly carved his name into the annals of boxing history. Across a career spanning 24 professional fights and two different weight classes, Usyk has faced down KO artists and heavyweight titans, yet remains undefeated. He's not just the standout heavyweight of his generation; he's considered by many to be one of the finest fighters the sport has ever seen.
Usyk's journey to the top is a testament to his skill. He first conquered the cruiserweight division, achieving undisputed champion status with impressive victories over fighters like Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev. But he didn't stop there! He then moved up to the glamour division, heavyweight, and managed to repeat his success, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of boxing. What's truly remarkable is that he consistently overcame significant physical disadvantages, standing toe-to-toe with giants like Tyson Fury and powerful, athletic boxers such as Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. In his six bouts against this formidable British trio, only Tyson Fury truly pushed Usyk to his limits, especially in their first encounter.
Now, as with any legendary athlete, Usyk's place in boxing's grand tapestry inevitably sparks lively debate. Some argue his current standing might be a bit overstated, while others love to ponder how he would have fared against the absolute best from boxing's storied past. And this is where it gets interesting...
Enter James Toney, a Hall of Fame champion himself! Toney, a fighter who excelled across multiple weight divisions, firmly believes he wouldn't just have beaten Usyk – he would have knocked him out. Toney, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame just four years ago, was once widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world during his prime. His impressive resume boasts world titles in middleweight, super-middleweight, and cruiserweight, not to mention a draw against Hasim Rahman for the WBC heavyweight title, showcasing his exceptional talent and adaptability.
During a recent interview, the outspoken 57-year-old Toney was directly asked about a hypothetical prime-vs-prime matchup with Usyk. His response was direct and brimming with his signature confidence: "Usyk [is a] good fighter. I would knock his ass out too. Period."
But here's where the real discussion begins: Toney's unwavering self-belief is legendary, and there's no question that the version of Toney who engaged in a thrilling 2003 fight-of-the-year contender against Vassiliy Jirov to claim the IBF cruiserweight title would have presented Usyk with some incredibly challenging and formidable questions. Do you think James Toney's bold prediction holds water, or is Usyk's undefeated reign too formidable to overcome, even for a legend like Toney? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
