Is there one fighter who truly stands head and shoulders above all others in the cruiserweight division's history? Tony Bellew, a former WBC cruiserweight world champion himself, has weighed in with a definitive answer, and it might surprise you!
Bellew, who knows a thing or two about the 200lb division, recently shared his thoughts on the ultimate cruiserweight king during an appearance on The Matchroom Boxing Podcast. And his pick? None other than Oleksandr Usyk.
But here's where it gets controversial... Bellew firmly believes that no cruiserweight, past or present, could have defeated Usyk. He even went as far as to say that a legend like Evander Holyfield would have struggled to figure out the Ukrainian phenom and wouldn't have been able to land a significant blow.
For those new to the sport, the cruiserweight division was established by the World Boxing Council back in 1979. It was created for boxers who were too big for the light-heavyweight division but not quite ready for the rigors of heavyweight. The very first bout for the vacant title saw Marvil Camel and Mate Parlov face off, resulting in a draw. However, in their rematch just three months later, Marvil Camel made history, becoming the sport's inaugural recognized cruiserweight world champion with a dominant unanimous decision.
Since then, the division has seen its fair share of incredible talent, with fighters like Bellew himself etching their names in its history. But only a select few have managed to conquer both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, a truly remarkable feat. The elite club includes Evander Holyfield, David Haye, and of course, Oleksandr Usyk.
Bellew, who himself held the prestigious WBC crown in 2016, had a personal encounter with Usyk in what turned out to be the final fight of his own illustrious career. This experience clearly left a lasting impression, as he now champions Usyk as the undisputed greatest cruiserweight of all time.
And this is the part most people miss... While Usyk has achieved undisputed status in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, he recently vacated his WBO world title in November. The undefeated 39-year-old is now expected to focus on the heavyweight division for the next couple of years, with potential blockbuster fights against Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr. being rumored for 2026.
So, what do you think? Does Oleksandr Usyk truly reign supreme as the greatest cruiserweight ever, even when compared to legends like Evander Holyfield? Or is there another fighter who deserves that title in your eyes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
