Oleksandr Usyk is considered by many to be the very best heavyweight on the planet right now.
Usyk has achieved what no other man has done before, and that is to become an undisputed champion in the four-belt era in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.
Although Evander Holyfield famously won all the belts in these two divisions, there were not as many on the line. It was his fight with Tyson Fury in May which saw Usyk add the WBC to his collection of IBF, WBA and WBO belts which he had taken off Anthony Joshua in 2021, and then defended in 2022.
A second fight with Fury in December, and another points win after 12 rounds, saw the Ukrainian southpaw once and for all confirm that he is the best big man on the planet despite, ironically, being smaller than most his peers in that division.
Many feel he could retire and leave a rich legacy behind, though the man himself has vowed that he will fight on.
One potential opponent is the top ranked heavyweight Martin Bakole, who says he is the only fighter who can defeat the great Ukrainian.
“Yes [I believe I’m the only man who can do it.] I will beat him easy, I will knock him out. I’m saying this not only because I spar him but I know how to stop southpaws. I learnt all my life, boxing my bother who’s southpaw, how to stop southpaws. All his movement, all that, I will stop that, I will knock him out.”
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk says former sparring partner Bakole will rule the division after Usyk but says they will not fight each other as Bakole has no belt.
“Please don’t forget Martin Bakole, he is a real threat to anyone. No one wants to fight him. After Usyk retires Martin Bakole will be the king of the division.
I think Oleksandr would not fight Martin Bakole for just one reason, Martin Bakole has no belt. Oleksandr would probably have the motivation when he comes back to boxing, he has to fight for something extraordinary, which is probably undisputed again.”
That means the only opponent for Usyk would be the winner of Daniel Dubois’ IBF world title defence against Joseph Parker on February 22.
Bakole fights in May for his shot to become mandatory for the belt, so may have more bargaining power if he wins and gets the fight.
