Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has unveiled a surprising and contentious ranking of the hardest punchers he has faced, a list that notably omits former rivals Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois while elevating the often-underrated Derek Chisora to a remarkable second position. The Ukrainian maestro, renowned for his defensive acumen and tactical brilliance, based his assessment not on knockout statistics alone, but on the tangible impact of blows absorbed and the intensity of the rounds shared with each opponent. This unique perspective, reported by sportsamo.com, offers a fascinating glimpse into how a fighter experiences the raw power of his adversaries.
Usyk’s direct answer to the question of who has hit him the hardest, as relayed by the Daily Mail, was a meticulously constructed list: "5. Murat Gassiev, 4. Mairis Briedis, 3. Tyson Fury, 2. Derek Chisora, 1. Horses." The inclusion of "Horses" is, of course, a tongue-in-cheek nod to his own formidable power, a characteristic that has defined his career. However, the placement of Fury at number three, and the conspicuous absence of two British heavyweights with significant knockout pedigrees, raises eyebrows and invites considerable debate within the boxing community.
Anthony Joshua, a two-time unified world champion himself, has shared the ring with Usyk for a total of 24 grueling rounds across two encounters. In these fights, Joshua landed his share of heavy shots, including a particularly potent right hand in their first bout that visibly rocked Usyk. Yet, Usyk’s ability to weather these storms, adjust his strategy, and ultimately outbox Joshua twice speaks volumes about his resilience and ring IQ. His exclusion from this particular ranking suggests that while Joshua possesses power, it wasn’t deployed in a manner that persistently troubled Usyk’s equilibrium or forced him onto the defensive for extended periods. Usyk’s game plan against Joshua often involved neutralizing his power by controlling the distance, employing slick footwork, and countering effectively.
Similarly, Daniel Dubois, a younger and physically imposing contender, was broken down by Usyk in their most recent encounter. While Dubois certainly landed some clean punches, particularly to the body, Usyk’s ability to absorb them and maintain his offensive output was a testament to his conditioning and fortitude. Usyk’s tactical approach in the Dubois fight was to systematically dismantle his opponent, weathering Dubois’ initial onslaught and then taking control. The fact that Dubois, a fighter known for his raw punching power, didn’t make the cut implies that Usyk felt he could manage and neutralize Dubois’ power effectively throughout their exchanges.
Tyson Fury’s placement at number three is intriguing. Fury, the lineal and WBC heavyweight champion, is often described as one of the most physically imposing and powerful heavyweights of his generation. Their clash, billed as the "Gypsy King vs. the Cat," was a tactical masterpiece where Fury utilized his significant size advantage and inside fighting style to attempt to smother Usyk’s offense. Usyk, however, managed to hold his own against Fury’s pressure, firing back in sharp combinations whenever an opening presented itself. Fury’s power is undeniable, but Usyk’s assessment seems to focus on the sheer impact of individual shots rather than the sustained pressure or threat of a single knockout blow. Fury’s style often involves overwhelming opponents with sheer physicality and a relentless pace, which Usyk acknowledges by placing him third.
The most significant elevation on Usyk’s list is undoubtedly Derek Chisora. The veteran British brawler, known for his ferocious heart and relentless aggression, lost to Usyk in 2020. However, that fight was a brutal affair where Chisora pushed Usyk to his absolute limits. Usyk had to dig deep, stand his ground against Chisora’s onslaught, absorb punishing body shots, and fight through the clinches. The fight was physically demanding, forcing Usyk to constantly manage the pace and engage in a gritty, close-quarters battle. Chisora’s raw, unrefined power and sheer determination to inflict damage made him a uniquely challenging opponent in terms of sustained physical engagement and the ability to absorb punishment himself. Usyk’s ranking of Chisora at number two suggests that the sheer physicality and sustained aggression of their bout left a more profound impression on him than the cleaner, albeit less sustained, power shots from Joshua or Dubois.
Usyk’s career has seen him navigate the treacherous waters of the heavyweight division, facing a murderers’ row of formidable punchers across two weight classes. From his cruiserweight days, where he faced the likes of Murat Gassiev and Mairis Briedis – both ranked fifth and fourth respectively on his list – to his heavyweight conquests, Usyk has consistently demonstrated an uncanny ability to absorb punishment and nullify the power of his opponents. His defensive mastery, characterized by elusive head movement, intelligent footwork, and the ability to slip punches, has been instrumental in his success. He rarely allows opponents to sit down on their punches or land the same shot with full force repeatedly.
The upcoming exhibition bout against kickboxing sensation Rico Verhoeven on May 23rd in Egypt presents a new challenge. Verhoeven, a dominant figure in the kickboxing world, is known for his high work rate and volume punching. However, the question remains whether his shots carry the concussive force necessary to trouble a seasoned heavyweight champion like Usyk, who has proven his ability to withstand the best power punches the boxing world has to offer. Usyk’s ranking suggests a clear distinction between volume and true, fight-altering power.
At the elite level of professional boxing, raw punching power is a significant asset, but its effectiveness is heavily dependent on its ability to land cleanly and with sustained intent. Oleksandr Usyk’s remarkable career and his unique perspective on power punching demonstrate his exceptional ability to take away that crucial element from his opponents. His rankings, while subjective, offer a compelling insight into the different ways fighters experience the sheer force of their adversaries, highlighting that sometimes, the most challenging power is not the most aesthetically pleasing, but the most relentless.
