Matchroom Boxing just got itself one of the most exciting boxers in the hurt business — Oleksandr Usyk.
The undefeated, undisputed cruiserweight world champion signed a promotion deal with Matchroom Boxing, which will team up with K2 Promotions to show Usyk's next fight on live-streaming giant DAZN and Sky Sports.
Usyk (15-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Murat Gassiev this past July and is eyeing a November clash with Tony Bellew next. A win there and the southpaw might make the jump to the heavyweight division.
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“I’m thrilled that K2 Promotions will be working with Matchroom Boxing moving forward to secure me the biggest fights out there,” said Usyk in a press release statement. “Fans can look forward to watching me take on the biggest and best names in the sport. Boxing for me is all about drama and victory, and there is plenty more to come. A fight with Tony Bellew would be a momentous occasion, he is a good boxer and a good person and I also have the option to move into the Heavyweight division. "
Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn spoke about Usyk's dominance in the cruiserweight division and his ambitions of moving up to heavyweight.
“I’m delighted to be working with Oleksandr Usyk and K2 in bringing a pound-for-pound star to the Matchroom team,” Hearn said. “Usyk holds all the cards at Cruiserweight and is already eyeing a move to Heavyweight and in particular a fight with Anthony Joshua. Right now our priority is to try and finalise a super fight with Tony Bellew later this year but either way we will announce his next fight in the very near future which will come to you live on DAZN and Sky Sports.”
The 31-year-old Usyk is a 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine who won his first major title when he outpointed Krzysztof Głowacki for the WBO cruiserweight title in September 2016. He then collected the WBC title with a majority decision against Mairis Briedis in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight semifinals in January before upending Gassiev in the WBSS finals to unify the titles.
Usyk’s current run has put him in the pound-for-pound conversation — something that should be amplified with Matchroom Boxing working with him and DAZN live-streaming his next bout.
