Oleksandr Usyk is the end goal for every boxer from the Light Heavyweight to Heavyweight divisions. Tyson Fury will meet him next year for the undisputed title. Former champion Anthony Joshua’s trilogy with Usyk is a possible course of action for the former to stage a comeback in the Heavyweight stage. However, an echo from the past may turn up a new variable in the equation.

Light Heavyweight champion of the world, Artur Beterbiev, has never hidden his desire to square off against Usyk. The Russo-Ukrainian rivalry goes back a decade, to the amateur days.

WATCH: Artur Beterbiev Suffers the Most Horrible Cut In Throwback Boxing Video

BoxRec maintains a record of a fight fought in 2007, where the Beterbiev won. However, during the subsequent two meetings, AIBA 2011 and Long Olympics 2012, Oleksandr Usyk had the upper hand.

The best fight awaiting Oleksandr Usyk

When asked,” Oleksandr Usyk, he’s now a unified heavyweight champion. Do you still look at that and maybe want to face him in the professionals or do you think that would not happen now?”

The Beast from the East responded that he is willing to confront Usyk, “I’am very happy if this fight happen, in professional, because you know I believe I can give him something in professional. I can give him a very good fight…”

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The ask is not of Himalayan proportions. Turning pro in 2013, Usyk won the WBO title in the Cruiserweight division against Krzysztof Glowacki on 17th September 2016. He didn’t take long to move up the weights and defeat Derek Chisora on 31st October 2020 to win the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. After Evander Holyfield and David Haye, Usyk is the third boxer to become the undisputed Cruiserweight champion and grab the Heavyweight title.

Wait for me Usyk, need to clean the 175 lbs.

Hence for the Light Heavyweight Artur, moving from 175 lbs. to 200 lbs. should not pose a big challenge. After knocking out Joe Smith Jr., at the Hulu Theater in New York, he would be defending the WBO, WBC, and IBF Light Heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde on 28th January next year at Wembley.

Lest Yarde authors an upset, the Light Heavyweight field should be over for the Russian orthodox fighter. So it is normal to expect the next move to a higher weight division, where Usyk could be lying in wait.

It is sticking out a mile away. Of course, Artur Beterbiev wants to avenge the losses suffered at the hands of Usyk. But, for a boxer gifted with the uncanny capacity to land powerful punches, weight difference should not be a thorn in the flesh.

The range of line-ups in 2023 is already creating a big buzz. Permutations and combinations keep the tongues wagging. All hemmed in together to claim the most significant titles. However, only the inclusion of Usyk and Beterbiev will add life and soul to the party.

Watch out for More: Mr. and Mrs. Usyk and family

After hearing Artur Beterbiev, do you think he has it to take on a boxer of Usyk’s caliber?