The term “boogeyman” is often thrown around in boxing, used as a label for those are feared and avoided by those in their division.
This can often be amplified amongst heavyweights, as both the prizes at stake and the consequences of defeat tend to be so much greater.
And, in a feature with DAZN, unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk claimed that, though he does not make any special effort to be, he is the “most feared” of all.
“It’s me, I am the most feared.
Am I a boogeyman who scares his opponents? I don’t need to intimidate them at all – they do it to themselves.
All people have fear, absolutely everyone. There is only no fear if you are a mad person. Both people who enter the ring are afraid, it’s normal.”
With 42 knockouts in his 43 wins, Deontay Wilder is statistically the most devastating heavyweight hitter of all time and would certainly argue against Usyk’s claim.
But many would agree with the Ukrainian’s view, especially those who believe WBC belt holder Tyson Fury has been swerving an undisputed clash with the undefeated unified champion.
Given the public collapse in negotiations earlier this year and the recent announcement that Fury will be fighting MMA star Francis Ngannou in October, fans are really beginning to question whether ‘The Gypsy King’ wants any part of a battle with Usyk.
Keen to get his own career back on track, Usyk will take on mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois on August 26th in Wroclaw, Poland, which will serve as a de facto homecoming for the Olympic gold medalist.
Although Dubois is a formidable heavyweight with fight ending power, Usyk goes into the bout a firm favourite to retain his WBA, WBO and IBF straps.