Well, in short, because he can. The Ukrainian has earned the right to fight who he pleases after defeating a gauntlet of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice apiece over roughly the past four years. The six wins proved that he’s not only this era’s best heavyweight, but a truly generational fighter who should be in the conversation for the GOAT at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

On Saturday, Usyk puts his WBC title on the line against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven at the forefront of the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, and live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.

Having conquered cruiserweight to segue through his heavyweight run, Usyk has demonstrated he’s a 1-of-1 talent. With Usyk’s fight on deck, DAZN News looks back at five fights that exemplify his abundance of sweet science preeminence.

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DAZN FACE OFF: Usyk vs. Verhoeven

Watch dramatic clash here

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Conquering cruiserweight in World Boxing Super Series; July 2018

Prior to leaving little doubt that he’s superior at heavyweight, Oleksandr Usyk staked his claim to being the greatest cruiserweight of all time.

The Ukrainian did that by working his way through Marco Huck (10^th-round TKO) and Mairis Briedis (majority decision) to stamp a spot against Russian fighter Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series final.

Despite the hype that surrounded the pair of unbeaten fighters, Usyk turned the bout into a glorified showcase, thoroughly outpointing Gassiev behind the lead right hand and agile footwork.

The lopsided unanimous decision crowned Usyk the first undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-title modern era. Evander Holyfield and O’Neil Bell previously accomplished the feat during the three-belt period.

The win also earned him the prestigious Muhammad Ali Trophy.

Showing Tony Bellew there are levels to boxing; November 2018

Tony Bellew entered the showdown with Usyk as a former cruiserweight world champion, riding a 10-fight win streak.

The Liverpool boxer started out looking every bit of the seasoned champ, using his ring savvy to split Usyk’s guard and bank the first couple of rounds.

But Usyk dramatically turned the tide of the fight midway and it only progressively got worse for Bellew, who spent chunks of the seventh round on the ropes.

Having Bellew trapped in the corner, Usyk unloaded two cranking left hooks. Then came a pair of right-left combinations — the second installment leaving Bellew flat on his back with his head rocked back through the ropes. Though a courageous Bellew made it to his hands and knees, he couldn’t prevent the rousing knockout.

Just like that, Usyk defended his undisputed cruiserweight crown and signaled to the boxing world that he’s ready for the move up to heavyweight. Meanwhile, Bellew retired.

Flashing superior skills against Anthony Joshua; September 2021

Usyk had it all plotted out — graduate to heavyweight, get some footing in the glamour division and challenge Anthony Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight ruler by that point.

Usyk established his presence in the division a year apart, first stopping Chazz Witherspoon in October 2019 before outpointing Derek ‘War’ Chisora the following fall. Then came his challenge for Joshua’s three titles with the host being Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the champ’s digs of London.

Older, and surrendering three inches in height and roughly 19 pounds to Joshua were no issues for Usyk to overcome. The Ukrainian expertly fought with rhythm and bounce, changing levels, utilizing feints and working behind a pristine up jab. The footwork and all around sweet science sorcery froze AJ at times as he was forced to eat flush punches en route to a stunning, defining win by Usyk.

Joshua would trigger a rematch the next summer and have a better showing, though Usyk still pulled out a split-decision win to keep his stature strong at heavyweight.

Outpointing, nearly stopping Tyson Fury to capture undisputed crown; May 2024

After defeating Anthony Joshua in back-to-back years, Usyk took a game challenge from Daniel Dubois in August 2023, before diffusing ‘Dynamite’ with a ninth-round KO. That paved the way for Usyk and then-WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury to meet for the undisputed crown of boxing’s top division with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia serving as the host.

A high-level chess match of the sweet science saw both men have their moments, but Usyk’s footwork, rhythm and pacing provided fits for ‘The Gypsy King.’

Still a close fight, Usyk broke it open in the ninth round by connecting with a raucous left hand that rocked Fury, putting the Brit on jelly legs as he stumbled all around the ring in a near stoppage. Despite Fury admirably going the distance, Usyk used the round to distance himself and take a split decision to earn him boxing’s most precious jewel.

Destroying Daniel Dubois in rematch to become two-time undisputed ruler; July 2025

Many critics and fans alike believed Usyk sold a body punch knockdown as a low blow in the fifth round of his first fight with Daniel Dubois to buy time to recover from the piercing shot. (The punch was ruled as a low blow with the ref giving Usyk time to recover).

Despite Usyk eventually stopping Dubois in the ninth round of that fight, controversy still swirled around the body shot. To leave no questions unanswered, Usyk and Dubois signed up for a rematch — this time at Wembley Stadium in London. By this point, Dubois had shocked Anthony Joshua with a fifth-round TKO in defending his IBF title.

So the Usyk-Dubois rematch was for the undisputed crown … and on this occasion was controversy-free.

Usyk guaranteed that by first using a compact shot to the temple to drop Dubois to his hands and knees in the fifth round. Though Dubois would show plenty of fortitude in rising off the canvas, he would meet his end seconds later courtesy of a vicious check left hook across the jaw.

The resounding knockout inside of five rounds once again exemplified that Usyk is in a class of his own and truly a generational talent who can add to his legend in another world location this weekend.