Seemingly everything in boxing is up for debate, the fighting extending from beyond those ropes and between those bells. But this much is inarguable:
Oleksandr Usyk, as of earlier this year, was the undisputed heavyweight champion. Usyk, while no longer undisputed (he vacated the IBF title) remains the king of the heavyweight division. And Usyk is clearly the best heavyweight of the past decade or so.
It’s when you discuss his historical standing beyond 2015, and particularly 2004, that the traditional water-cooler conversations begin to boil over into conflict.
I’m not here to settle that debate, nor to stifle it. Debate is a fundamental (and fun) element of being a sports fan. But I just have never been too engrossed in or enamored by historical comparisons and fantasy matches. I’ll leave that to others with the interest, and especially those with the interest and the intellect, including this good piece by boxing writer and historian Cliff Rold of The Corner Stool.
