Oleksandr Usyk names the hardest British opponent he's faced

If you take a look at the BoxRec entry for unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, one nationality which appears more than any in the opponent column is British.

Of his 23-0 undefeated record, seven of those 23 wins have come against British opponents, and he will look to add an eighth on July 19, exclusively live on DAZN PPV, when he takes on IBF champion Daniel Dubois for the undisputed heavyweight title. 

When it comes to the British foes Usyk has successfully beaten, it is not just a crop of journeymen looking for a pay day, they are household names amongst fight fans with Tony Bellew, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora just some of Usyk's victims.

But which fighter from the British Isles has given the Ukrainian the toughest test inside the ring? 

"I think it’s the first fight with Tyson Fury," Usyk told DAZN's Carl Frampton in an exclusive interview.

"He’s a big man, a great fighter."

 

Usyk and Fury produced two thrilling heavyweight contests last year to find out who was the number one fighter in boxing's most popular weight class.

On both occasions, it was Usyk who came out on top with these two victories cementing his place as a pound-for-pound great. 

When it comes to facing Dubois later this month, Usyk was asked by Frampton the mandatory prediction, a tradition ahead of major title fights, and in true Usyk fashion, it was a short and simple response.

"I win."

With fight night rapidly approaching, it will not be too long until we see whether Usyk can add another British victim to his record, or whether Dubois can finally put an end to the man some call 'The Brit Basher'. 

Watch Usyk vs Dubois 2 exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Saturday, July 19. Buy the PPV now here