Usyk currently owns all the biggest championship belts in the heavyweight division: WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and WBC, after defeating Fury in the “unification match of the heavyweight boxing village” that took place. at Kingdom Arena (Saudi Arabia) on May 19.
Previously, on July 21, 2018, Mieu Hiep also “unified the world of heavyweight boxing” after a perfect score victory with 12 rounds against Murat Gassiev (Russia). At that time, he also owned the championship belt of The Ring Magazine.
With the status of “Ultimate Champion”, it is difficult to believe that Usyk is thinking of “returning” to the semi-heavyweight division after his rematch with Fury later this year. Are you no longer motivated at heavyweight? Do you want to “unify the gangsters” again in the heavyweight division?
Usyk said on the “3 Knockdown Rule” podcast the other day: “I think, maybe after the rematch, I will go back to the welterweight division. I want to compete in the semi-heavyweight division more!”.
“Maybe, I will become the Ultimate Heavyweight Champion for the second time, that was my plan. When I started preparing for my training camp in the heavyweight division, I had to eat constantly. I don’t like that,” Usyk confessed.
At the present time, the semi-heavyweight category of professional boxing in the world is like “no-hitters”. Currently, all four organizations WBA – IBF – WBO and WBC have their own champions, who no one respects anyone else.
The WBA champion is Gilberto Ramirez (Mexico, 46 wins with 30 KOs – and 1 loss). He once held the WBO super middleweight title and once challenged Dmitry Bivol for the WBA heavyweight championship.
The WBC champion is Noel Mikaelian (German of Armenian origin, 27 wins with 12 KOs – 2 losses). Mikaelian won the WBC title with a TKO victory over Ilunga Makabu in Miami last November).
The IBF champion is Jai Opetaia (Australia, won all 25 matches with 19 KO). He won the IBF and The Ring welterweight titles after his victory over Mairis Briedis in 2022 and has successfully defended the championship belts three times.
And the WBO Champion is Chris Billam-Smith (England, won 19 matches with 13 KOs – 1 loss). He won the WBO title after defeating Lawrence Okolie last May and also had a successful defense of the championship belt.
Usyk wants to “enter” the semi-heavyweight division, which is bad news for all four fighters!
