While Oleksandr Usyk is widely regarded as the premier heavyweight of this era, pound-for-pound standout Shakur Stevenson has identified one former champion he believes could have disrupted the Ukrainian’s undefeated run.
Usyk maintains a perfect 25-0 professional record, having secured undisputed status across both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. His resume includes victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois, cementing his legacy as one of the most elite heavyweights in boxing history.
In his recent outing against kickboxing specialist Rico Verhoeven, Usyk delivered a shaky performance. He narrowly escaped with his title following a controversial round 11 stoppage that overshadowed inconsistent scorecards.
Following that performance, Usyk decided to vacate his three heavyweight world titles, signaling plans for a final “farewell fight” before retirement. A high-profile matchup against Deontay Wilder is anticipated to be announced soon.
Despite Usyk’s decade of dominance, Stevenson informed Paramount Boxing that he believes a prime version of two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson would have emerged victorious in a matchup.
“I’m going to go with Mike [Tyson] in his prime.”
Tyson rose to prominence in the 1980s, setting a record as the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20—a milestone that remains unbroken.
Known for his devastating knockout power, Tyson secured monumental wins over legends like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks on his path to undisputed supremacy. A hypothetical clash between Tyson and Usyk would undoubtedly be a landmark event in boxing history.
