From the IBF, IBO, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk down to the IBF, WBC, WBO Super Bantamweight champion Naoya \u2018Monster\u2019 Inoue, let\u2019s take a look at two of boxing\u2019s best.<\/p>\n
Usyk had an amateur record of 335-15, representing Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, losing to Italy\u2019s Clemente Russo. In the 2012 Olympics in London, UK, he defeated Russo for the Gold Medal.<\/p>\n
In the professional ranks, he would win the WBO Cruiserweight title in 2016, defeating Poland\u2019s Krzysztof Glowacki, 26-0, in Poland. Defending the title twice in the USA, first stopping South Africa\u2019s Thabiso \u2018The Rock\u2019 Mchunu, 17-2, at the Inglewood Forum, in California, in 2016. Next, in 2017 at the MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, he defeated Michael Hunter, 12-0, of the USA by a lopsided decision. Later in that year, he traveled to Germany, stopping their \u2018Kapt\u2019n Marco Huck, 40-4-1, in ten rounds.<\/p>\n
In 2018, he added the WBC title, winning a majority decision over Latvia\u2019s Mairis Briedis, 23-0, at the Arena Riga in Latvia. Next in Russia, he defeated IBF champion Murat Gassiev, 26-0, in Moscow. Then also in 2018, the UK\u2019s Tony \u2019Bomber\u2019 Bellew, 30-2-1, stopped in Manchester, UK.<\/p>\n
Back in the USA in 2019, in Chicago, IL, he stopped Chazz Witherspoon, 38-3, in a non-title fight in his first heavyweight fight. Then in 2020, he won the WBO Inter-Continental defeating Derek \u2018War\u2019 Chisora, 32-9, in Wembley, UK.<\/p>\n
In 2021, he won the IBF, IBO, and WBO heavyweight titles, defeating the UK\u2019s 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony \u2018AJ\u2019 Joshua, 24-1, in the UK and again in the rematch in 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by decision.<\/p>\n
In 2023, he knocked out the UK\u2019s Daniel \u2018Dynamite\u2019 Dubois, 19-1, in Poland.<\/p>\n
In 2024, he at 6\u201903\u201d added the WBC title, winning back fights over 6\u201909\u201d champion, the UK\u2019s Tyson \u2018the Gypsy King\u2019 Fury, 34-0-1, by split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and later that year again by decision in Riyadh. A man of few words, he listened to the much larger Fury who belittled him, returning with a smile on his face.<\/p>\n
In his last fight, in a rematch with Dubois, he stopped him in Wembley, UK, improving his record to 24-0 with 15 stoppages.<\/p>\n
Now let\u2019s take a look at IBF, WBC, WBO Super Bantamweight champion, many feel pound for pound he may be the best in Naoya \u2018Monster\u2019 Inoue, from Japan.<\/p>\n
As an amateur, he was 75-5. In 2014, he won his first world title, the WBC Light Flyweight title, stopping Mexico\u2019s Adrian \u2018Big Bang\u2019 Hernandez, 29-2-1, in Japan.<\/p>\n
Later that year, after a defense stopping Thailand\u2019s Wittawas Basapean, 17-4, he added the WBO title, knocking out Argentina\u2019s Omar \u2018Huracan\u2019 Narvaez, 43-1-2.<\/p>\n
He made seven title defenses, stopping Filipino Warlito Parrenas, 24-6-1, Mexico\u2019s David \u2018Severo\u2019 Carmona, 20-3-5, by decision. Then, stopping Thailand\u2019s Karoon Jarupianlerd, 35-7, Japan\u2019s Kohei Kono, 32-9-1, USA Mexican Ricardo \u2018Misento\u2019 Rodriguez, 16-3, all in Japan.<\/p>\n
In his only fight outside of his native Japan in the USA, he stopped American Antonio \u2018Carita\u2019 Nieves, 17-1-2, before returning to Japan, stopping France\u2019s Yoan \u2018Yo Boy\u2019 Boyauex, 41-4, his third fight in 2017.<\/p>\n
In 2018, he stopped the UK\u2019s Jamie McDonnell, 29-2-1, and the Dominican out of the USA, Juan Carlos \u2018Baby Pacquiao\u2019 Payano, 20-1. In 2019, he added the IBF title, stopping world Bantam champion Manny Rodriguez, 19-0, in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, then stopped four division world champion from the Philippines, Nonito \u2018The Filipino Flash\u2019 Donaire, 40-5, by decision.<\/p>\n
In 2020, he scored a knockout over Australia\u2019s Jason Moloney, 21-1. In 2021, he stopped Filipino Michael Dasmarinas, 30-2-1, Thailand\u2019s Aran Dipaen, 12-2. In 2022, in a rematch with Donaire, he stopped him, adding the WBC title. Later that year, he knocked out the UK\u2019s Paul \u2018Baby Face Assassin\u2019 Butler, 34-2, adding the WBO title.<\/p>\n
In 2023, he moved up to Super Bantam, taking the WBC and WBO titles, stopping the USA\u2019s Stephen \u2018Scooter\u2019 Fulton, 21-0. At the end of the year, he knocked out Filipino Marlon \u2018Nightmare\u2019 Tapales, 37-3.<\/p>\n
In 2024, he added the IBF title, stopping Mexico\u2019s Luis Nery, 35-1. Then stopping Australia\u2019s TJ Doheny, 26-4. In 2025, he knocked out South Korea\u2019s Ye Joon \u2018Troublemaker Pacquiweather\u2019 Kim, 21-2-2, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in his only fight out of Japan.<\/p>\n
In May, he stopped USA\u2019s Ramon \u2018Dinamita\u2019 Cardenas, 26-1, improving his record to 30-0 with 27 stoppages. He is scheduled to fight Uzbekistan\u2019s 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist and former WBA and IBF world Super Bantam champ Murodjon Akhmadaliev, 14-1, in Japan on September 14th.<\/p>\n
So now you\u2019ve seen the Heavyweight champion and possibly the best pound-for-pound boxer, the Super Bantam champ. What do you think?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ken Hissner is a seasoned boxing journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As a senior writer for Boxing News 24, he is well known in the boxing community for his detailed results coverage, in-depth historical pieces, and ringside reports from major events.<\/p>\n
Over his career, Ken has written for several major boxing outlets, building a reputation for accuracy, consistency, and insight. His work often highlights both established champions and rising prospects, providing context that connects boxing\u2019s rich history to today\u2019s action.<\/p>\n
When he\u2019s not ringside, Ken continues to study the sport\u2019s past and present, ensuring his coverage reflects both deep knowledge and current relevance.<\/p>\n