Two-division undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk has offered a fascinating assessment of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous hitmen, publicly revealing the fighter he considers to be the hardest active puncher in modern boxing. Despite competing in an era defined by explosive knockout artists, the Ukrainian mastermind bypassed widely held fan perceptions to single out a former opponent and close friend as the sport’s premiere puncher.
The declaration came during a recent Q&A feature on Usyk’s official YouTube channel. While engaging in the popular exercise of constructing his ideal "perfect boxer" by assigning individual attributes from various active and historical fighters, Usyk was prompted to choose the ultimate display of single-shot punch power. Rather than leaning toward long-established knockout specialists like American puncher Deontay Wilder, Usyk chose former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, effectively rating the British star’s brute force above all other active fighters in the sport.
Usyk’s endorsement carries immense authority within boxing circles given his unequaled resume and firsthand experience inside the squared circle. Having achieved the rare feat of becoming an undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, Usyk has spent years sharing the ring with the most terrifying punchers across two weight classes. His decision to highlight Joshua’s power over Wilder is particularly notable, as Wilder has long held a reputation as the most devastating one-punch knockout threat in contemporary combat sports.
Prior to Usyk’s comments, rumors had swirled regarding a potential blockbuster clash between Usyk and Wilder. A bout against the American knockout artist was seen as a logical option for the Ukrainian master, who had aimed to add another iconic heavyweight name from his generation to an already legendary record. Usyk’s current resume already features decisive victories over the top tier of his era, having successfully conquered Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois in high-stakes heavyweight battles.
However, the immediate plans for both fighters have taken a different path. Instead of facing Usyk in a standalone main event, Wilder is now linked to a high-profile showdown against cruiserweight ruler Jai Opetaia. That bout is targeted to take place on the stacked undercard of the massive domestic clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, set for Friday, December 11.
Usyk’s evaluation of Joshua’s punching power adds an intriguing dynamic to that upcoming event in Cardiff. By selecting Joshua over Wilder on his YouTube channel, Usyk has effectively asserted that Wilder is not even the heaviest hitter featured on the December 11 bill. Instead, Usyk views his former rival Joshua as holding the edge in absolute raw power over the American, even as both men prepare to perform on the very same stage in Wales.
A detailed look at Joshua’s professional career offers strong backing for Usyk’s claim. Out of Joshua’s 30 professional victories, an impressive 27 have come by way of knockout, illustrating a career-long ability to end fights inside the distance. Over the years, the British heavyweight has demonstrated his stoppage power against world-class opposition, accumulating stoppage victories over former long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko, British rival Dillian Whyte, Russian contender Alexander Povetkin, and Bulgarian challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Usyk’s perspective is further strengthened by the intimate familiarity that comes from sharing 24 competitive rounds with Joshua across their two undisputed heavyweight title bouts. Having absorbed Joshua’s punches firsthand while securing a unanimous decision victory in their first fight and a hard-fought split decision win in their rematch, Usyk has felt the full force of the British fighter’s arsenal. That personal experience provides Usyk with a unique, practical foundation for evaluating Joshua’s raw strength compared to other elite heavyweights.
Usyk’s comments regarding his fellow fighters arrive during a period of transition in his own storied career. Earlier this year, the Ukrainian icon officially vacated his heavyweight world titles, formally stepping back from his reign at the top of the division. The decision to relinquish the belts followed an unusual night in Egypt, where Usyk took on kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in a highly publicized event staged at the Pyramids of Giza.
The fight at the Pyramids of Giza proved to be a challenging and uncharacteristically difficult outing for Usyk. Despite ultimately escaping the ring with an 11th-round stoppage victory, Usyk delivered an underwhelming performance that sparked debate among fans and analysts. The nature of the 11th-round finish itself generated considerable controversy, leaving observers divided over the stoppage win against Verhoeven. In the aftermath of that scrap in Egypt, Usyk decided to vacate his heavyweight titles, signaling that his long and dominant run as a heavyweight world champion had come to a close.
Despite vacating his titles and leaving his time as a heavyweight world champion behind, Usyk is not yet ready to completely walk away from professional boxing. The veteran master is actively planning at least one final ring appearance before officially retiring and hanging up his gloves for good. Rather than staying at heavyweight for his career finale, recent reports indicate that Usyk is considering a shock return to the cruiserweight division, where he originally established his legendary standing by unifying all four major world sanctioning body belts.
A return to the cruiserweight division opens up the intriguing possibility of a high-profile matchup between Usyk and David Benavidez. News surrounding Usyk’s final fight plans suggests that a showdown with Benavidez could serve as the ultimate swan song for the Ukrainian strategist, giving boxing fans one last opportunity to watch the two-division undisputed champion compete at a world-class level before he bids farewell to the sport.
Meanwhile, the rest of the heavyweight division remains focused on the upcoming blockbuster event at the Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. The headlining fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua stands as one of the most anticipated matchups in modern boxing history, bringing together two of the era’s premier heavyweights in a high-stakes showdown.
For Joshua, Usyk’s high praise regarding his punch power arrives at a crucial moment. As he prepares to step into the ring against Fury, Joshua will be looking to unleash that signature force and validate Usyk’s assessment. Fury has proven throughout his career to be one of the most elusive and resilient fighters in boxing history, making the task before Joshua all the more formidable.
Joshua’s primary objective on December 11 will be to use his strength to accomplish what no other fighter has managed to achieve: becoming the first man to halt Fury inside the distance. If Joshua can land his power shots and secure a stoppage victory over Fury in Cardiff, he will not only cap off a historic night for British boxing but also provide definitive proof of Usyk’s claim that he remains the hardest active puncher in the sport today.
As the boxing world counts down to December 11, Usyk’s unique perspective serves as a bridge between his own hall-of-fame legacy and the next defining chapter of the heavyweight division. Whether Usyk makes his rumored cruiserweight return against Benavidez or steps away entirely, his endorsement of Joshua’s power adds another captivating layer of context to the landmark event awaiting fans in Cardiff.
