Oleksandr Usyk has never been bested in the professional ring, but according to one heavyweight, he has been taken apart in sparring.
After debuting in 2013, Usyk has gone on to enjoy incredible success as a pro, becoming undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
He has conquered the best the heavyweight division has had to offer in Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury, all within eight fights at that weight class.
Following his five-round demolition of Dubois, the opponent for his final fight is still uncertain after the WBO ordered him to fight mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.
Heavyweight contender claims he got the better of Oleksandr Usyk in a wild sparring story
While there has been no engagement in discussions for a Parker fight, the Ukrainian may be considering taking on Fury for a trilogy fight or facing a different boxer altogether.
However, if Martin Bakole’s wild sparring story is anything to go by, it is unlikely the 38-year-old will want to face the Congolese fighter.
Bakole is known for his tales of going to gyms to spar world-class heavyweights and coming out on top, but there has never been any confirmation – only stories from him and his trainer, Billy Nelson.
Once again, he has repeated his infamous claim that he had beaten up Oleksandr ‘The Great’ in sparring, now with new details on their in-ring clash.
He told SecondsOut: “I always said these people say I’m crazy. No, I’m not crazy. The only man who can stop Usyk right now is Martin Bakole. And people who know boxing know what I’m talking about.
“His coach asked him to do (something), and I was giving him a hard time. He started shouting, he went mad. He jumped out of the ring and started shouting at his coach.
“He was bleeding everywhere. So I gave him a hard time, and that was the first time. He called me again in Dubai, and I did the same.”
The 32-year-old was on a tear as the division’s ‘bogeyman’ when he knocked out Carlos Takam and Jared Anderson, but after a heavy knockout loss to Parker, followed by a majority draw against Efe Ajagba, he has lost the air of invincibility.
He still maintains that those sparring experiences mean the undisputed champion will not face him in the ring.
“So he knows that Martin Bakole in the fight will stop him easily,” Bakole said.
Former Daniel Dubois opponent claims he will ‘run over’ Oleksandr Usyk in a fight
Since the end of the July 19th Wembley rematch, Usyk has had no shortage of challengers lining up to stake their claim for a shot.
The most surprising is American heavyweight Jarrell Miller, who was stopped by Dubois in 2023.
Miller is also well known for pulling out of a clash with Joshua after being suspended for two years following a positive drug test.
In an interview with The Ring, ‘Big Baby’ said: “I know for a fact I can beat Usyk,” Miller told The Ring recently. “With me training and me having a proper training camp, I know I can beat Usyk.”
“I would run him over,” Miller said. “Usyk has a problem with guys who put their chin down and want to bang out.”
A clash with Usyk is unlikely, given the New York heavyweight has not won since beating Lucas Browne in an incredibly scrappy fight.