Dmitry Bivol says Usyk belongs among all-time heavyweight greats

Dmitry Bivol has placed Oleksandr Usyk in the company of boxing's all-time heavyweight legends, naming Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield as Usyk's peers in a recent interview.

Usyk, 39, carries an unblemished professional record of 24 wins and no losses. The Ukrainian southpaw stands six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach and trains out of the Ready To Fight camp. His undefeated run across two weight classes has long established him as one of the sport's elite performers.

Bivol's comments also touched on Usyk's recent exhibition against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven. The Dutch heavyweight, 37, holds a 66-10-0 record and competes under the banner of Superpro Sportcenter. Standing six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach, Verhoeven brings a physical and stylistic profile that differs sharply from the orthodox boxing opponents Usyk typically faces.

According to Bivol, Verhoeven's awkward, unpredictable movement made him genuinely difficult to read in the early going. Bivol acknowledged that Usyk found his rhythm as the exhibition progressed and adapted to the kickboxer's unconventional approach by the later rounds. On that basis, Bivol expressed the view that Usyk would perform markedly better in a potential rematch, now that he has a clearer understanding of how Verhoeven operates.

Why it matters

• Bivol's assessment reinforces Usyk's standing at the very top of the heavyweight conversation
• The exhibition highlighted the challenge elite kickboxing footwork and rhythm can pose even to elite boxers
• A potential rematch between Usyk and Verhoeven carries renewed intrigue given Bivol's belief that Usyk's adaptation would be decisive