The first month of winter gave the world the two greatest boxers of the superheavy division - American Mohammed Ali and Ukrainian Alexander Usik. It is very significant that both legendary athlete were born on January 17, although with a difference of 45 years. And reached such heights that others could only measure, becoming idols of millions, despite all the difficulties, war and removal.
It is not surprising that throughout the career of Usyk compared with his incredible idol, who left in June 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. We also decided to see what was in common with the Ukrainian and Americans, and what are they - complete opposites.
ANTHROPOMETRY. Ukrainians and Americans have the same growth - 191 centimeters, which does not at all amaze in the modern super -heavy division, where most fighters are two meters and above. But, as Ali showed half a century ago and Usik now, only growth does not make the weather when there is talent, technology and character.
Also, Alexander and Mohammed have the same manner of hands - 198 centimeters, which allows you to keep rivals at a convenient distance. They also had approximately the same weight. Ali on average had 95-98 kg, and 107 kg was marked as much as possible. Usik was most gained in revenge with Tyson Fury in December 2024 - 102.5 kg.
Strength and speed. Although everyone knows that Ali’s blows were stinging, he did not possess the strongest even in his generation. It is believed that his fundamental rivals George Forman and Joe Fraser had more powerful hits. Ali was called the fastest extension in history, since it was difficult for opponents to get to Mohammed, while he himself managed to pretty much mole a visa.
According to the American media, Ali had the same impact speed as Bruce Lee's martial artist - 1/20 of the fraction of a second. The American boxer studied the technique of ultra -suffering strikes thanks to acquaintance with the master of Taekwondo June Ri, who adopted the secrets of the legendary karate during joint training.
As for Usik, his rivals agree that the Ukrainian, despite all his talents, also has no strength to cut down from one blow. So the Briton Tony Tony Beli reacted to his knockout: " He knocked me out because I was exhausted: when it came to the 8th round, Usik simply added gas at that moment and got rid of me "
" He knows how to knock out, but I would not say that he is the best Pancher I met. And he would not say that he is the weakest, ”assessed Alexander Tyson Fury.
But the speed of the Ukrainian also does not get tired of praise, especially noted his agent legs, thanks to which the Usyk, as if dancing, can drive any opponent in the ring.
" I think this is partly congenital data: reflexes, balance, etc.. But not only that. After all, each of his movement is considered in advance. So these are not only reflexes, but also the work done, a good school. He has a great jab. He is not very strong, but all the time falls right in your face, ”admitted the Sparring partner of Usik, British heavyweight Allen.
Titles. Both the American and the Ukrainian were able to become Olympic champions. Ali won the 1960 games in Rome, and Usik won the "
Ali also twice became the absolute world champion, but in his era there were only two belts at Kon, and not four, as Alexander Usiku succeeded. The first time the American succeeded in 1964 in a battle with Sonya Liston, whom he defeated by technical knockout in the 7th round and tried on WBA and WBC titles.
Ali is the only boxer who was called the “fighter of the year” six times according to the Ring magazine, and he participated in the larger number of “battles of the year” than any other fighter.
Usyk six years after the Olympic Gold became the absolute champion of Kruz mostweight, winning the final of the World Super Super Series against Russian Murat Gassiev. Having sorted out in Moscow with his last obstacle, Alexander became the owner of WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA Super belts, as well as Mohammed Ali Cup.
For the second time, the Ukrainian became the absolute world champion already in super -heavyweight, although during the transition to the Royal Division, few people believed that with such modest dimensions, the Usyk would be able to succeed. But on May 18, 2024, Alexander sensationally defeated Tyson Fury for many and became the owner of all four main belts. But the "
FAMILY. Usik and Ali - large parents. True, to the American who helped the nine descendants to be born, Alexander is still far away. Ukrainian brings up two girls and two boys. But unlike our champion - monogamous.
All his children of the Usyk were born in marriage with a spectacular Crimean Catherine, whom they met at school. But today, the fighter does not get tired of admitting her love, although the couple has been together for 20 years and managed to pass a lot of tests, in particular the loss of the house after the occupation of the Peninsula of the Russian Federation.
But Ali could not serve as an example of an ideal family man. Behind the boxer there were four marriages and two illegitimate children. However, the eldest daughter of Leila, who followed in the footsteps of the legend, became the world champion among women, said that the champion was a good father.
" He was a loving father. Gave us everything we wanted. Now, when I have my children, I understand that he piled us. Everything that I remember - he constantly hugged and kissed us and gave everything that we want.
RELIGION. Everyone knows that Usik is a very believer who regularly attends the church. He has his own rites before the fight and after and for each of his success, he does not forget to thank God. As Alexander said, Vera came to him at school when he almost died.
In the second grade, Usik was very ill: “I had bilateral pneumonia - a terrible disease. The doctor told my mother that I may not survive. I was sick for about a year and almost all this time was in the hospital - two months there, two weeks at home. My grandmother took me to church, I was interested: I looked, listened to the service, I liked the smell of incense, examined the icons "
Cassius Marsellus Clay was also religious, however, born by a Christian, after the transition to professionals, he elected the “nation of Islam” - the African American religious and nationalist organization in the United States, founded in 1930 in Detroit on contrasting the white and American state. The doctrine " The main goal of the organization was to improve the spiritual, social and economic situation of Africans in the USA and the world. But some organizations are accused of black racism and extremism.
1964 Cassius Glue became a member of the " By the way, it was because of the new religion that the boxer left his first wife, waiter Songji Roy. Ali mentors from the " In January 1966, the couple officially divorced.
WAR. If Alexander Usik, after a full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation, joined Ukraine in the ranks of the territorial defense of the Kiev region and has constantly helps the military in the last three years, visits them in the hospital and invites them to his battles, then Ali once wanted to have anything in common with the US war in Vietnam.
But, as they say, there is a nuance. Nobody directly attacked the United States, and they waged war on another continent. In 1967, Mohammed Ali refused to serve in the Armed Forces, since he believed that " никогда не называли меня ниггером"
For refusing to serve in the US Armed Forces, the future legend was deprived of a boxing license and the title of world champion. But three years later, Ali returned to the ring again.
Rhymes. In contrast, he loved to say offensive words to his opponents to angry them and get out of himself. He even composed poems in which he ridiculed rivals and praised himself. Representatives of the recording company Columbia Records were so struck by his rhymeal attacks that in 1963 they decided to release Muhammad Ali's audio alting under the name "
Alexander also knows how to solidly rhyme, devotes poetry to his family and friends in Ukraine in the struggle of his people. And during his performances for the national team, he liked to read rap with his colleagues.
For example, in May 2008, during the final evening of the tournament for the prizes of the Klitschko Usyk brothers, along with George Chigaev, they made a surprise to the audience at the Sports Palace, performing their own song " And in 2018, the Crimean pinned himself and his English, releasing the video " I'M Very Feel "
Final. Despite his preliminary statement about the completion of his career and the visible disease of Parkinson on October 10, 1980, Ali went to the fight with Lari Holmz and lost, like his next and last match 1981 against Trevor Berbik. In retirement, the American began to engage in socio-political activity against the backdrop of the progressive disease of Parkinson, received the right to light the Olympic fire of Atlanta-1996 and even saw his own autobiographical film in 2001.
How to end his career Usyk is not yet clear. While the Ukrainian owns the belts of the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring magazine. The 37-year-old Usik expressed a desire to return to heavy weight, but now we are not talking about this.
The most likely rival of Alexander is called British Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs), holding the title of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
It was from this title that the Ukrainian was forced to refuse after the first victory over Fury.
His view of the end of the antenatal era at the restless Shannon Briggs: " He is an unusual person and an outstanding person, so it's hard to fight with him. With such a guy you can only hope for the fact that he will lose his grip, will cease to be hungry. because I earned money and has reached everything. This is the only thing you can count on with such a fighter "