Oleksandr Usyk's best fights: Ranking top opponents of heavyweight boxing champion

Oleksandr Usyk has already held all the gold at the cruiserweight level. If everything goes according to plan on May 18, the Ukrainian southpaw will become a two-division undisputed champion.

The current IBF, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight titleholder fights WBC counterpart Tyson Fury at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Every legitimate world title is on the line, so boxing will crown its first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Usyk is in a position to join Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue as the only male two-division undisputed champions with a win over "The Gypsy King," a man who has held a firm grip at heavyweight for years.

Just how good is Usyk? His toughest challenges have come from all over the world. What were his best fights? The Sporting News looks into the great champion's history.

WATCH: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, live on DAZN

Tony Bellew (November 2018)

After his fight against Murat Gassiev (more on him later), Usyk wanted a true challenge as the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Bellew, a former WBC 200-pound titleholder and heavyweight contender, answered the call.

The fight took place at the Manchester Arena in England. 

After posting two stoppage wins over countryman David Haye, Bellew was considered a dangerous opponent and he boxed well early. His tactical resistance was efficient and he was not overawed by his opponent's reputation.

However, in the middle of the bout, Usyk managed to find openings. and the tide soon turned. By round six, Usyk was gaining momentum and he landed a big left hand that stopped Bellew in his tracks. In the eighth, he scored another massive left that dropped Bellew and ended the fight,

According to CompuBox, Usyk landed 112 shots compared to 61 by Bellew. Usyk landed 16 jabs in the seventh round and only landed single-digit shots in the first round. Bellew looked strong in the early going, but his output decreased over time.

This was the first time a champion defended the undisputed cruiserweight title. It was also Usyk’s final fight in the division.

WATCH: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, live on ESPN+

Krzysztof Glowacki (September 2016)

In his first world title fight, Usyk faced the undefeated Glowacki for the WBO cruiserweight championship. And, in what would become a persistent theme throughout his career, he took on his Polish-born opponent in his backyard.

Usyk dominated the fight with hand speed and a rapier right jab, which injured Glowacki's eye early. The Ukrainian star landed 186 punches (25.1 percent connect rate) compared to just 69 for Glowacki (15.9 percent).

The southpaw jab ended up being a true difference-maker in the fight and set up a formidable offence. In round twelve, Usyk landed 30 punches to close the bout in dominating fashion. Glowacki landed single-digit shots ten times, with only two connects in the eleventh.

Usyk ended Glowacki’s undefeated streak and left the ring as a champion.

Mairis Briedis (January 2018)

Usyk's win over Briedis in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament was considered one of the hardest fights of his career. He won via 12-round majority decision and was roundly praised by fans and media for a gutsy performance.

Despite receiving a cut above his eye following a clash of heads, Usyk controlled large portions of the fight from round five onward.

He had to fight hard and was hurt occasionally, but that did not stop Usyk. According to CompuBox, he landed 212 shots compared to Briedis' 195. Briedis was the more accurate fighter (33.7 percent connect rate compared to Usyk's 25 percent).

MORE: Former undisputed king Lennox Lewis talks Fury vs. Usyk: 'Don't take him lightly'

Not only did Usyk beat Briedis to retain the WBO title and win the WBC belt, but he also did the job on his opponent's home turf of Latvia.

Murat Gassiev (July 2018)

Once again, Usyk was back on the road. In the final of the WBSS, Usyk ventured to Russia to defeat local unified cruiserweight champ Murat Gassiev via 12-round unanimous decision. This performance was a masterclass.

Usyk dominated the first portion of the fight, not allowing Gassiev to score a punch until the end of round two. He landed 252 shots (26.8 percent) compared to Gassiev's 91 of 313 shots (29 percent). The swift-punching lefty also used his considerable advantage in speed to land 47 blows in round twelve.

Gassiev, the WBA and IBF champion at the time, could not figure out the puzzle and it was Usyk who left the ring as undisputed champion.

Anthony Joshua (September 2021) 

Never count Usyk out. That became the theme of the night when British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua faced the Ukrainian wizard in September 2021 in London.

Many fans felt Joshua had an off night when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden in 2019. On this night, however, there was no doubt that Usyk was simply the better man. 

Usyk landed 148 shots to Joshua's 123, per CompuBox. His power punches were key and he only landed single-digit shots twice, whereas Joshua landed single-digit shots six times. The 29 punches Usyk scored in round 12 were the most ever landed by a Joshua opponent at that time.

BUY: Tickets for Fury vs. Usyk in Saudi Arabia

This was a masterful performance by Usyk, who erased all doubts as to whether he could hang in the heavyweight division. Usyk’s win was a true era-changer in the division and an effort nobody will ever forget. 

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight date, time

Fury and Usyk should make their way to the ring around 6 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk TV channel, live stream

In the U.S., Fury vs. Usyk will be available on DAZN and ESPN+ PPV. It is available via TNT Sports Box Office in the U.K. 

If Fury vs. Usyk is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.

WATCH FROM ANYWHERE: Sign up for NordVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk PPV price

• PPV price on DAZN and ESPN+: $69.99
• PPV price on TNT Sports PPV: £24.99 
• DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S./ $24.99 per month in Canada/ £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month/ 13.99 AUD in Australia.
• DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in the U.S., $199.99 in Canada, and £99.99 in the U.K.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight card

Bouts and order are subject to change.

• Tyson Fury (c) vs. Oleksandr Usyk (c) for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
• Joe Cordina (c) vs. Anthony Cacace for the IBF super featherweight title
• Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis for the IBF cruiserweight title
• Sergey Kovalev vs. Robin Sirwan Safar; Cruiserweights
• Isaac Lowe vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi; Featherweights