A former Oleksandr Usyk opponent is convinced he knows two fighters who can dethrone the undisputed champion, including a surprise cruiserweight world champion.
Usyk has sustained his unbeaten record in the professional ranks since 2013, claiming undisputed titles in two different weight classes along the way.
His most recent win in July at Wembley Stadium against Daniel Dubois proved to many why he is still an unbeatable force, after his five-round demolition ended with a technically brilliant, well-timed hook.
Since his victory to claim his second undisputed heavyweight title, questions have arisen over who his next opponent will be following the WBO’s ordering of a mandatory defence against Joseph Parker.
Former Oleksandr Usyk opponent picks two current fighters who can beat him, including a surprise cruiserweight champion
While negotiations are on the back burner for now, it has not stopped fans and professional boxers from speculating about who they think might provide him his toughest test.
None other than former cruiserweight champion and World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) opponent of the Ukrainian, Mairis Briedis, has his own view on who could definitely beat the legendary boxer.
The pair shared the ring in the semi-finals of the cruiserweight WBSS tournament, where Usyk took home a majority decision victory over the Latvian in a modern classic.
In an interview with SecondsOut, Briedis said: “I think one guy who can make it very close and very dangerous for Usyk is Jai Opetaia, and this guy, heavyweight now, who fought with Dillian Whyte… Moses.
“Two guys who can make big problems for Usyk.”
Moses Itauma has already been touted as a future opponent of the 38-year-old, with even Usyk himself impressed by the ‘future’ of the division after his first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte.
The Australian Jai Opetaia is the current IBF cruiserweight champion and has been eyeing a move up to the heavyweight division due to titlists in his division being reluctant to unifications.
Briedis has fought Opetaia twice and lost on both occasions, but he believes the Aussie or the 20-year-old Itauma possess the speed advantage to beat ‘The Cat’.
Oleksandr Usyk may need more evidence for the Joseph Parker fight exemption after a viral dancing video
As the WBO ordered Usyk to face Parker, or risk losing one of his four belts, it was claimed by Frank Warren that the Ukrainian team requested an exemption due to a back injury that delayed negotiations.
However, following a viral video of the boxer dancing at a charity event on social media, Team Parker has reportedly written to the governing body to request more evidence.
According to Boxing Scene, the Championship Committee Chairman, Luis Batista Salas, has now written to Usyk’s attorney to ask for a ‘thoroughly detailed’ medical exemption due to the video.
The 90-day suspension of talks for the proposed bout was likely to be granted, but now it hangs in the balance if the team of the undisputed champion cannot provide sufficient evidence.