There can no longer be any disputing that Oleksandr Usyk is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
That benediction has been delivered unto him not by the brotherhood of the ring, not by we the critics, but by the people.
By Wembley’s 90,000 who rose as one to acclaim his awesome devastation of one of their own.
That tribute was almost as astonishing as this performance. Coming as it did even as they witnessed the vanquishing of the London lad from up the road who they believed could put the 38-year old Ukrainian legend to bed. No booing. No begrudging. When were we last among such an outpouring of sportsmanship? Of such unbridled recognition that all of us in this stadium were in the presence of genius?
Perhaps not since the heyday of Muhammad Ali, alongside whom this standard-bearer for war-torn Ukraine now stands on the rostrum of legend.
Usyk is a three-time undisputed world champion. First as ruler over the cruiserweights at a time of ferocious competition in that division. Twice now supreme at heavyweight by dismantling a trio of English world champions.
There can no longer be any disputing that Oleksandr Usyk is one of the great heavyweights
Usyk produced another hugely impressive display as he managed to overcome Daniel Dubois
The Ukrainian stopped Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley to become undisputed champion
First Anthony Joshua, second Tyson Fury, now Daniel Dubois, who was gone in a few seconds of the fifth round on Saturday. That unique achievement crowned by the crumpling of a giant twice his size and in his prime at more than a decade the younger.
Dubois came looking to become Britain’s first undisputed heavyweight king in the four-belt era. At least for now, his place in history is as a bookmark.
For Dynamite Daniel, whose world blew up in his face, it is back to the drawing board for at least the six months it will take him to recover from this psychological ruination before starting on another long road back to the top.
For Usyk, we are grateful he will be giving us the privilege of admiring his handiwork again.
‘I love London,’ this deeply spiritual Christian told his congregation. ‘This is my second home. I’ll be back.’
Next against either Fury, who quickly announced his eagerness to make yet another comeback, or New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who is the mandatory challenger for one of the four belts Usyk wears with such distinction.
Usyk revealed he agonised over whether to fight Dubois or Fury here. He chose Boy Dynamite so as to claim that unprecedented third undisputed status.
Whoever it may be, watch every minute left in this noble and so far undefeated career. It is likely to be another generation, if ever, before we see his like again. Not many fighters can keep going through the hellish training to which he submits before every fight. He credits his triumphs to all that hard work and dedication, as well as Jesus Christ ‘for cleansing my spirit’.
A trilogy fight with Tyson Fury could be on the cards despite Usyk winning both fights
New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, is the mandatory challenger for one of the four belts
Usyk has garnered respect that has perhaps not been seen since the heyday of Muhammad Ali
We who have the honour of watching him marvel at his dexterity of movement, the bewildering hand speed, the original and startling angles he creates for his punching, the unexpectedly concussive power of a smaller heavyweight. Above all is the unsurpassed boxing IQ. Usyk is a machine harnessed to a bamboozling brain. Not to mention his disarming charm.
That computer behind those piercing eyes never stops compiling data. The information stored while defeating Dubois in their first fight two years ago was amplified by watching film of ‘the way he swings his left hook from way too wide, leaving him open to my left cross and from that my burst of combinations’.
Having won the first four rounds, Usyk unleashed a barrage which began the end of his latest victim. Dubois lurched and staggered up from that initial knockdown but you could see in his staring eyes it was as good as over. Head bowed, he looked about as ready to rejoin the fray as Anne Boleyn going to Henry VIII’s chopping block.
One pace forward and that wicked left stood him upright for the kill. A few more rapid-fire blows sent him pitchforking to the canvas and out for the count.
This standard-bearer for his country at a time of war is a phenomenon. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to this lord of the ring. Oleksandr the Great, we salute you. This correspondent gladly elevates you to the podium in this revised ranking of the top 12 heavyweights of all time.
