Legendary heavyweight picks winner between Ali and Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk has won many plaudits in recent years, but how would he cope at heavyweight against Muhammad Ali? 

After a dominant reign at cruiserweight, Usyk made the jump to heavyweight in 2019, and the talented Ukrainian has not looked back. 

After defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021 to become unified champion, Usyk became undisputed ruler three years later with a memorable points win against Tyson Fury. 

He would become a four-belt champion for a second time in 2025 when he travelled to Wembley Stadium in London to stop Daniel Dubois for a second time. 

These credentials have placed Usyk at the business end of the pound-for-pound rankings for numerous years, but how does he compare with the all-time greats? 

Larry Holmes was boxing’s leading heavyweight for the first half of the 1980s and he was able to beat a faded Ali in 1980. 

Despite Usyk’s incredible run, Holmes has no doubt that Ali would be too good for him. 

“Why does Ali beat Usyk? The styles of the two fighters are different. Ali would come in there and do what he had trained to do, so I’m not sure Usyk would be able to handle him,” said Holmes when speaking to Canada Casino. 

“He would lose from round one on. I don’t think today’s fighters have the heart of the guys from the 70s and 80s. We had determination and willpower to go out there for 15 rounds.  

“Today’s fighters could never have done 15 rounds. I believe I would have beat them all. I was always ready. Every fight was like the last serious one.”