Oleksandr Usyk is appreciated almost unanimously amongst boxing fans for his remarkable career and elite skill, but there is one former cruiserweight world champion who believes the Ukrainian to be an ‘average southpaw’.

After claiming the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Usyk excelled as a cruiserweight in the professional ranks, becoming the first four-belt undisputed champion of the division by trumping the likes of Krzysztof Glowacki, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev on away soil.

Usyk then defended the undisputed crown against Tony Bellew before moving up to heavyweight and sensationally replicating the feat by dethroning Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – and also coming out on top in rematches against both men.

Now, as Usyk’s career reaches its final chapter, with a farewell fight currently being discussed, fans are beginning to reflect on his inspirational success.

The longest-reigning cruiserweight champion of all time, Johnny Nelson, seems less impressed, telling the Fight Your Corner podcastof his opinion that Usyk is and always has been an ‘average southpaw’.

“I have said, Oleksandr Usyk is an average southpaw. I’m not saying that he is an average fighter, but as a southpaw, his style was average. You get outstanding southpaws that make you think, ‘wow, you have got it’, Pernell Whittaker, people like ‘Naz’ [Hameed]outstanding southpaws who use that style to the best of their ability.

“I didn’t say that he was average, as a southpaw he was average. In regards to when he was fighting Tony, to this day I thought that he [Bellew] was doing really well, I thought that he was ahead on points.”

Usyk’s career finale is likely to be a bout with former WBC heavyweight ruler Deontay Wilderwho he has been keen to face in order to complete his hit-list of rival heavyweights in his generation.

Moses It will hurt is hoping to take over the heavyweight division in the coming years, but in the eyes of heavyweight icon Lennox Lewisthere is one heavyweight that the youngster should avoid facing.

Now that Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his three world titles in the division, Itauma is extremely well poised to capitalise, having been called out by newly crowned WBA ruler Murat Gassiev, ordered for a IBF title shot, but also linked to a shot at new WBC champion Agit Kabayel.

As for the WBO marble, Itauma is currently sat as the mandatory challenger in the division, expected to be ordered for a fight against the victor of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley’s pending rematch.

As a result, should Itauma come through his meeting with Filip Hrgovic unscathed next monthit seems as though a world title bid will be next.

Whilst Itauma is trying to prove himself as the best heavyweight on the planet, three-time world champion Lewis told iFL TV that he should steer clear of Usyk, despite the Ukrainian being 39 years old.

“Moses is a great, upcoming, young fighter. He has got a lot of grit, he throws some good punches. I think that there is a time where he is going to have to make that move but the time isn’t now, he has got a lot of time left, [he should] take his time.

“No rush[forUsyk[atallIfIwashimIwouldwaituntilOleksandrUsykisretiredandknowthat‘Iamrulingthisheavyweightscenerightnow’buttogoagainsthimrightnowisabittooearly”[forUsyk[atallIfIwashimIwouldwaituntilOleksandrUsykisretiredandknowthat‘Iamrulingthisheavyweightscenerightnow’buttogoagainsthimrightnowisabittooearly”

Itauma-Hrgovic takes place on Saturday, August 29with the 21-year-old Briton set to top the O2 Arena bill as he headlines in the U.K. capital for the first time.

“With this new deal, I can make any fight that I want in the sport of boxing,” Shakur told Ring Magazine. “There’s not no restrictions. It’s not no, ‘I can’t fight this guy.’ Boxing is not the same no more.”

The undefeated WBO light welterweight champion said critics are still viewing the sport through an outdated lens and believes Zuffa’s model will change that.

“The critics got to get past thinking in the old mindset. The new mindset is the best fighting the best, and I’m all for it. I think Zuffa is all for it too. So let’s do it,” said Shakur.

Stevenson expanded on that point later in the interview, saying recent changes in boxing have already made major fights easier to put together.

“The business of boxing is not in the way no more,” he said. “I think with Zuffa, with Turki backing Zuffa, it’s just so much in the sport of boxing that can get done. Any of these guys want to say they want to fight Shakur? Then sign it up. I’m ready.”

While Shakur declined to call out a specific opponent, he reiterated that he is willing to face whoever emerges as the best available option. He also described the proposed fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis as “the biggest fight in the sport” before adding that he is prepared to fight any elite opponent if the opportunity reaches his table.

Shakur signed with Zuffa Boxing today as the promotion continues building its roster around a UFC-style model backed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh. His signing immediately led to speculation over future fights against Gervonta, Devin Haney and other top names as the new promotion looks to establish itself in boxing.