Is Oleksandr Usyk an all-time great? New undisputed heavyweight boxing champion's career assessed

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — What a great fighter Oleksandr Usyk is. If you were fortunate enough to watch last night's undisputed heavyweight championship bout in Riyadh, then you're unlikely to ever forget it. At the end of 12 pulsating rounds, it was Usyk who reigned supreme with a 12-round split-decision triumph over the previously unbeaten Tyson Fury.

This epic victory sees Usyk consolidate all the belts in the glamour division for the first time in 25 years. The Ukrainian southpaw added Fury's WBC title to the IBF, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine versions that were already in his possession.

Surprisingly, Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk, was self-effacing during the post-fight press conference. When a member of the media asked him if the new undisputed champion should now be regaled as an all-time great, Krassyuk would only confirm that he's a Hall of Famer.

Talk about humility in victory. Usyk was a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years ago, and last night's achievement takes his legacy into the stratosphere. He now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of all time and if you disagree with that, then you'll need to present a very compelling case.

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With over 300 wins in a glittering amateur career, Usyk claimed World Championship and Olympic gold medals. He turned professional to great acclaim in 2013 and became a cruiserweight world champion in just his 10th fight. In a division loaded with monsters, Usyk reigned supreme, defeating three world titleholders on enemy territory to emerge as the first undisputed champion since the great Evander Holyfield in 1988.

After moving from cruiserweight to heavyweight — by far the biggest division hop in the sport — the quick-fisted lefty posted two routine wins before being matched with then-unified champion Anthony Joshua. Despite giving away almost 30 pounds to "AJ", Usyk outpointed him not once but twice to claim IBF, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine championships.

The only target left was WBC counterpart Fury. As always with boxing's biggest fights, it took an eternity to get Fury vs. Usyk over the line. His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh presented Riyadh Season as a saving grace, which provided the requisite financial package to make both teams happy.

On May 18, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena, the fight acquitted the build-up. This was the best heavyweight championship bout since Fury's 11th-round knockout of American power puncher Deontay Wilder in 2021.

But what made this one more special was the dramatic ebb and flow. It was a fight of two halves, with Fury displaying tactical superiority over the first six rounds before being outpunched, badly hurt and floored in the second half.

Officially, Usyk gave up six inches in height, seven inches in reach and almost 40 pounds in weight. In a boxing ring, those are colossal disadvantages to overcome, but this savvy 37-year-old pulled it off with a brilliant display of footwork, ring IQ and fighting heart.

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Galvanised by his country's unimaginable struggle throughout the Russian conflict, there was a sense of destiny about Usyk. This was an undisputed championship fight to boxing fans, media and the world at large, but for Usyk it was so much more. From the moment he made his ring walk, Ukraine's warrior hero was locked in on the task ahead.

The argument against Usyk having all-time great credentials will perhaps be that he's only had 22 professional fights. The likes of Sugar Ray Robinson had over 200. But just take a step back for one second. Doesn't it say more for Usyk that he's reached this milestone with fewer fights?

I was privileged to watch last night's action from ringside and both men covered themselves in glory. But there aren't enough superlatives available to fully express how great a champion Usyk is. To say that he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is underselling it.

Usyk is an all-time great — period.