Oleksandr Usyk is not an all-time great despite wins over Tyson Fury according to ex-world champion Duke McKenzie.
The Ukrainian star cemented his name in the record books in 2024 becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis, by beating Tyson Fury.
In December, Usyk ensured he was considered the division’s best fighter by beating Fury again to retain status as the undefeated top dog.
This era of dominance all came having stepped up from cruiserweight in 2018, having cleared out the contenders and reigned as an undisputed champion at that weight class.
After his recent win, many placed Usyk as an all-time great having conquered the modern era, and beaten the best around including Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
There were doubts over his size but he has proved them irrelevant against the current crop, but it remains to be seen how he’d shape up against greats of the past.
But former world champion McKenzie believes he isn’t ranked as an all-time great, and is simply a modern era icon.
He told talkSPORT.com: “Unfortunately for Oleksandr Usyk, he is not an all-time great. He is a modern great.
“We are in this four belt era, because he has won all of them at cruiserweight and heavyweight, it makes him a modern day great.
“But unfortunately for Usyk, he doesn’t have enough dance partners like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers.
“They could all bounce off of each other and fight against each other, in terms of all-time greats.
“Even in Mike Tyson‘s era, he had Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield. You had exceptional champions then.
talkSPORTMcKenzie isn’t sure Usyk would beat past heavyweights[/caption]“Any of those guys I have just named, Usyk wouldn’t have beaten them. And that is my honest opinion.”
McKenzie went on to use former undisputed champion Lewis as an example, suggesting he would have beaten him in a prime vs prime battle.
He continued: “As a former world champion, if I put myself in their shoes.
“How would I beat Oleksandr Usyk if I was Lennox Lewis for example. He wouldn’t get near him.
“Lennox Lewis would batter him in to next Tuesday. These guys are genuine heavyweights, big heavyweights.
“Personally I think it’s wrong saying he’d beat them. There is talk of him dropping back down to cruiserweight.
Usyk beat Fury and cemented his name at the pinnacle of the divisionMatchroom“But he deserves his place as a modern-day great no doubt.”
Usyk will be delighted with his legacy in the sport nonetheless, but will of course be keen to preserve his undefeated record.
Should he do so, it will naturally lead him into several all-time debates, given he has done all he can do in the sport.
When Fury and Joshua were in the ascendency, they were in consideration to be modern greats and Usyk dismantled both.
The champion is now 37-years-old but retirement could be on the horizon given his accomplishments.
But he has been heavily linked with a rematch against Dubois, who jumped into the ring and called him out after beating Fury.
Although ‘The Cat’ is set to take a break from the sport before deciding his next move.
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