With today marking the shared birthday of Oleksandr Usyk and Muhammad Ali, Boxing News posed a simple but irresistible question to a selection of boxing figures: who would win a fantasy fight between the two?
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates his 39th birthday safe in the knowledge that he is the number one heavyweight in the world and, arguably, the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
His outstanding résumé is filled with world title victories on the road against his toughest peers — not just at heavyweight, but at cruiserweight too. Becoming undisputed champion three times across both weight classes marks Usyk out as one of the outstanding talents of his generation and places him firmly in any discussion of the greatest of all time.
Today, however, is not just a day to celebrate Usyk. It is also the birthday of “The Greatest” himself, Muhammad Ali. As quick with his hands as he was with his words, Ali set the benchmark for greatness during the 1960s and 1970s. To many, he remains the greatest of all time, ahead of iconic figures such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Harry Greb and Joe Louis.
Ali’s defining victories came against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Usyk, meanwhile, conquered Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. But in a world of fantasy fights, who would prevail if the two shared a ring?
Boxing News gathered the thoughts of several knowledgeable figures from the sport and asked them to make the toughest of calls.
Oliver Fennell (Boxing News editor)
“This is a very difficult call because both boxers are known for one trait above all others — their adaptability. Both Ali and Usyk could craft game plans to beat any style and could change that plan mid-fight if Plan A wasn’t working. It would be the highest level of pugilistic chess.
“The difference, perhaps, would be that Ali was most troubled by power punchers, and Usyk might not quite earn his respect in that regard. Ali would go through his fleet-footed and fleeter-handed repertoire to dazzle the judges at key moments for a close, and possibly unpopular, decision.”
Patrick Connor (boxing historian)
“It’s still difficult to get my head around the idea that Usyk is about the same size as Ali, but they’re incredibly similar in that regard.
“Where Ali had the clear advantage was simply being a career-long heavyweight who faced several fellow all-time greats, and stylistically he wasn’t easy for anyone. Usyk is extremely well-schooled and has shown a boatload of intangibles, so he’d make sure Ali wouldn’t run away with it, but ultimately he’d drop a decision to ‘The Greatest’.”
Gary Lockett (leading trainer)
“I think Usyk is the most technically efficient heavyweight I’ve seen in my lifetime. He oozes class. His footwork and angles are excellent and his punch output is second to none.
“What can we say about Ali that hasn’t already been said? A three-time heavyweight champion in the toughest of times, when there were fewer titles. I think a fight between the pair would be a classic, but I get the feeling that, in their primes, Ali would find a way to have his hand raised on points.”
Darren Barker (DAZN pundit)
“My way of thinking is that Muhammad Ali would show me something — and show the world something — that we didn’t think was possible and outpoint Usyk.
“He would mesmerise us and mesmerise Usyk. I just think he will forever stand on that pedestal as the GOAT — the greatest of all time.”
Adam Smith (DAZN commentator)
“I think it possibly comes down to styles. Ali only fought two southpaws in his life. Karl Mildenberger is probably the one I remember most. He had a little trouble early in that fight, but then he got through it.
“It’s a tough one. I think I’d probably slightly edge towards Usyk if you’re matching a peak Usyk against a peak Ali. These days, Usyk has a 25-man team around him for conditioning and nutrition. He’s got doctors — he’s got everyone around him. Because of modern technology in many ways, I think I’d make Usyk a slight favourite. It would be a classic, tactical, insightful battle, but I’d give Usyk the edge because of the southpaw style.”
Lee Wylie (coach/analyst)
“Although it may sound sacrilegious, I believe the tactical problems Usyk would pose as a southpaw — combined with his superior work rate — would most likely lead to a decision victory.
“If Ali occasionally struggled to assert his jab against fellow southpaw Karl Mildenberger, it follows that he would encounter far greater difficulty against Usyk. Usyk’s lead-hand feints, disruptive level changes and unpredictable stop-start rhythm have already proven effective in blunting the world-class jabs of larger opponents such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.
“This is not to suggest that Ali would be rendered ineffective. He would almost certainly find moments to land pot-shot right hands as Usyk resets and to score with pull counters over Usyk’s back hand. However, without a reliably established jab — and the layered offence that flows from it — Ali would struggle to exert sufficient control to consistently bank rounds against Usyk.”
Andy Clarke (commentator)
“I’m going to pick Muhammad Ali. It’s very difficult to pick against ‘The Greatest’, but what we’d see is a very entertaining distance fight, with two master craftsmen displaying all the skills we’ve come to expect.
“I think we’d see a bit of showboating from Ali at times — I don’t think he’d be able to resist it. Neither of them would have the power to knock the other out. They’re both extremely resilient and, down the stretch, Ali would just manage to find a way to win.
“Their skill levels would be pretty much equal, but I think the will would be slightly greater on the side of Ali. So I’ll go Muhammad Ali — close, on points.”
Score:
Muhammad Ali 5
Oleksandr Usyk 2
