Alex Pereira vs. Oleksandr Usyk: What If?
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Boxing has a long history. There were few ‘super fights’ between premier boxing and mixed martial arts talents at that time. Notable super fights like Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki, and Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou have paved the way for these crossover events.
Most recently, Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk has shown interest in a potential super fight. He wants to face Brazilian UFC superstar and reigning Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Pereira has become the face of the UFC. He has become middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He also headlined the promotion’s monumental UFC 300 event.
Usyk is Interested in a ‘Show Fight’
The undefeated Ukrainian recently sat down for an interview with TNT Sports. The champion was asked about the ideal last two fights remaining for his career. “In an ideal world, who are those two fights for Oleksandr Usyk?” asked the reporter.
The champion answered, “First is who wins the next fight on February 22. But, next, maybe show a fight with Alex Pereira, maybe. Why Not? Alex wants to,” Usyk told TNT Sports. The Scrap was one of the first to capture the moment Team Poatan first mentioned the matchup. You can watch it in our IG Fight Camp series on our YouTube channel.
Usyk shifted his sights back to becoming an undisputed champion after relinquishing the IBF World Heavyweight title in 2024. The young and impressive knockout artist Daniel Dubois ended up claiming the belt. He defeated the highly decorated former champion, Anthony Joshua, via fifth-round knockout back on September 21. Dubois was recently scheduled to face Joseph Parker in the co-main event of the illustrious Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 card. However, the IBF champion withdrew from this fight. This was because they fell severely ill a few days before the fight.
It is worth noting that Usyk and Dubois have already fought. In their first fight, the Ukrainian champion weathered a controversial fifth-round low blow. He ultimately defeated the power puncher via ninth-round knockout back on August 26, 2023. If Usyk is to rematch Dubois and win again, he will then focus on Alex Pereira. Alex Pereira is the reigning ‘MMA Fighter of the Year’ award winner. This potential super fight would occur inside the boxing ring. Both men have more mutual experience there than in the octagon or MMA.
This hypothetical boxing match would draw massive interest around the combat sports world. That said, the undisputed heavyweight champion would be an enormous favorite. The former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing world champion and two-weight UFC champion would have a tough challenge.
Tale of the Tape
Pereira, 37, is the naturally larger fighter, standing around 6-foot-4 and weighing around 235 lbs. The Brazilian has a wingspan of 79 inches. Usyk, 38, is a natural cruiserweight who moved up to heavyweight. Now fighting at around 225 pounds, the Ukrainian stands around 6-foot-3 with a reach of 78 inches.
As a professional, the UFC champion already has one boxing match under his belt. In 2017, Pereira scored a third-round TKO victory over fellow Brazilian Marcelo de Souza Cruz. This lone professional boxing match experience is nothing compared to the extensive pedigree that Usyk hails from.
Usyk holds a jaw-dropping amateur record of 335 wins and 15 losses. He won the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. There is little to nothing he has accomplished in the sport. Usyk remains undefeated as a professional. He has a record of 23-0. He holds the remarkable achievement of being undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. This makes him one of the modern-day greats of boxing.
If this fight is ever to come to fruition, it will be a battle for as long as it lasts. Both fighters are at the top of their respective sports. Usyk is a highly sharp boxer-technician. Pereira is known for his strong power-punching and finishing ability.
What do you think of the potential matchup? Let us know in the comments below.
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