Former WBC halfweight champion Grigory Drozd weighs in on Usyk vs Joshua and possible future clashes
Grigory Drozd, the former WBC halfweight titleholder, says he would watch a third showdown between Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Anthony Joshua. He speaks as a spectator, convinced that if Joshua approaches a rematch with the same mindset that fueled their earlier battles, he could reach a level where victory becomes plausible. Drozd adds that such a bout would captivate audiences and deliver a compelling chapter in the Usyk-Joshua saga. [Source: sports analysis]
Beyond that prospect, Drozd expresses a clear wish for Usyk to face Tyson Fury in the ring. He notes that if Derek Chisora is cleared to return and steps back into the ring against Usyk, the matchup could unfold in surprising ways. He emphasizes Usyk’s exceptional boxing class and pacing, suggesting that Usyk has the talent to force Fury into difficult moments—perhaps even matching the tactical sharpness that characterized the Joshua contest. [Source: boxing commentary]
The fight between Usyk and Joshua extended for 12 rounds, culminating in a split decision in favor of Usyk with scores of 113-115, 115-113, and 116-112. Usyk retained the WBA Super, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in what many saw as a display of precision, movement, and boxing intellect. [Source: bout records]
Earlier in their rivalry, Usyk defeated Joshua in another 12-round battle held at a prominent London venue associated with football. The Ukrainian champion earned a unanimous decision, securing the unified world championship across the WBA Super, WBO, IBF, and IBO divisions with scores of 117-112, 116-112, and 115-113. [Source: event reports]
As discussions about future matchups linger, Usyk has repeatedly pursued high-stakes opportunities. There has been ongoing speculation about a potential next fight with Tyson Fury, a bout that has drawn global interest and significant fan anticipation. [Source: boxing press]