World Champion Names Top 5 Opponents with the Strongest Punches
The undefeated Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk named the opponents who delivered the most significant blows to him. However, the leader of the ranking turned out to be not a professional fighter, but a “rival” who knocked the champion out during his childhood.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an interview with the boxer in the Daily Mail.
Also read: “Usyk has already been hit”: Verhoeven made a statement about the Ukrainian’s weaknesses and revealed a bold plan for the fight
Usyk’s Unusual Ranking
In a conversation with a reporter in Kyiv, Usyk, who has fought 24 professional bouts and won all 24 (15 by knockout), compiled his ranking of “punchers.”
The list looks quite predictable, except for the top position.
- 5. Murad Gassiev (former world champion, against whom Usyk won the title of undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division)
- 4. Mairis Briedis (Latvian boxer, the only one who posed serious problems for Usyk in the heavyweight division)
- 3. Tyson Fury (the British “Gypsy King,” whom Usyk defeated in the fight for the title of undisputed champion in the heavyweight division, and then beat again)
- 2. Derek Chisora (another Brit known for his powerful pressure and strong punch)
Who Topped the List and Knocked the Champion Out
In first place, Oleksandr Usyk unexpectedly placed… a horse. The boxer recalled a funny yet dangerous incident from his childhood.
“Number one is a horse. When I was a kid, I got hit by an animal – bam! (points to his temple). Zero fights, zero wins, one knockout,” Usyk recounted.
The incident occurred when the future champion was 12 years old.
Usyk remembered that after the blow, he lost consciousness: “I opened my eyes and asked, ‘Am I alive?’ – ‘Yes, Alex. Oh God, you’re alive!’ The horse’s owner picked me up, and I went home. But there was a small problem: blood was flowing from my head.”
The champion also added that a month later he returned to the spot to find the animal, but the horse had apparently run very far away.
Earlier, we reported that Usyk revealed his plans before the end of his career.
