Quick Read
- Oleksandr Usyk holds a perfect record of 24 wins in professional boxing.
- Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua twice in 12-round championship fights.
- Usyk dismissed the Joshua vs. Jake Paul bout as a show, predicting Joshua would win easily.
Usyk’s Unbeaten Record Defines the Heavyweight Standard
If there’s a single name that commands respect in heavyweight boxing today, it’s Oleksandr Usyk. With a perfect record of 24 wins from 24 fights, Usyk has become a living benchmark for grit and technical brilliance. His victories over Anthony Joshua—one by unanimous decision in London in 2021, and the other by split decision in Saudi Arabia in 2022—were not just wins, but reminders of what elite boxing truly demands.
Usyk isn’t just winning; he’s rewriting the expectations for what a heavyweight champion should be. He’s fought Joshua twice, going the full twelve rounds both times and leaving scars—literally and figuratively. As Usyk recently pointed out, gesturing to the marks on his forehead: «Look, that’s from his jab.» The respect runs deep, but so does the competitive edge. Every punch, every round between these two has set the stage for how the division is measured.
Joshua’s Quest for Redemption After Usyk’s Defeats
Anthony Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, has been on a mission to reclaim the title he lost to Usyk. His recent knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, witnessed by nearly 20,000 fans, was more than just a win—it was a statement. Joshua dominated Paul, dropping him four times before finishing the fight in the sixth round. The win, reported by Los Angeles Times and ClickOrlando, positions Joshua for another run at heavyweight glory, but always in the shadow of his losses to Usyk.
Joshua’s journey since those defeats has been marked by determination and, at times, vulnerability. After being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua’s comeback was under scrutiny. Against Jake Paul, he methodically used his reach and power, a stark contrast to the unpredictable nature of his past bouts with Usyk. But for Joshua, every fight is now a step toward redemption—a chance to prove that he can again stand atop the division, possibly facing Usyk once more.
Usyk’s Perspective: Boxing as a Sport, Not a Spectacle
Usyk has not been shy about sharing his thoughts on the recent Joshua-Paul bout. Ahead of the fight, Usyk predicted that Joshua would knock out Paul in the first round, dismissing the contest as “just a lot of money, just a show.” For Usyk, the difference is clear: “Anthony is an Olympic champion, Jake is just a sportsman.” It’s a blunt assessment, but one rooted in his own experience—after all, he’s faced Joshua’s power firsthand, and he knows the gulf that separates a champion from a celebrity boxer.
Usyk’s critique isn’t just about the fighters involved, but about the direction of the sport itself. As boxing increasingly courts spectacle and crossover matchups, Usyk stands as a traditionalist, insisting that the true test of a fighter is found in the ring, not on social media. His commentary, shared with Yahoo Sports, underscores a tension within boxing: the pull between entertainment and genuine competition.
The Rivalry’s Impact: Elevating the Heavyweight Division
Joshua’s victory over Paul may have reignited his career, but the specter of Usyk remains. Their rivalry has become a touchstone for the division, shaping how fans and fighters alike view the path to greatness. Usyk’s two wins over Joshua have created a standard that others must now aspire to, and Joshua’s every move is evaluated in light of those defeats.
Usyk’s influence goes beyond his own record. He represents the old guard—the disciplined, technically gifted champion who sees boxing as a craft. In contrast, the rise of personalities like Jake Paul signals a shift toward spectacle. Joshua, caught between these worlds, is forced to navigate both the expectations of purists and the demands of the modern sports entertainment industry.
As Joshua angles for another title shot, possibly against Usyk or a comeback from Tyson Fury, the heavyweight division remains in flux. Usyk’s legacy continues to shape the narrative, reminding everyone that true champions are forged in the crucible of real competition.
Usyk’s perspective on the Joshua-Paul bout is more than a critique—it’s a challenge to the sport itself. His insistence on authenticity, and his proven ability in the ring, set a standard that the heavyweight division cannot ignore. For Joshua, every victory is a step back into the arena Usyk rules, and for boxing fans, the rivalry is a reminder of what’s at stake when the line between sport and spectacle is tested.