Yesterday it was officially announced that the former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (16-0-0) will make his heavyweight debut next month. The Ukrainian will step up in the ring versus France’s Carlos Takam (36-5-1) on May 25 at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland, US.
Usyk’s intentions to shake up the blue ribbon division were well documented, but Matchroom Boxing USA and Eddie Hearn were making smart moves. Usyk last fought in November when he KO’d Tony Bellew in Manchester.
Carlos Takam is not one of the elites in the division, but he can box and he has a power that can cause anybody a lot of trouble. Two years ago the 38-year-old French fought Anthony Joshua in Cardiff and even though Joshua won almost every round that night, Takam was trying to apply pressure all night.
Here’s what the 32-year-old Usyk and his next rival had to say:
“May 25 marks a major moment in my career when I move to the heavyweight division. At cruiserweight, I did it all and became the undisputed champion and that is my goal now in the heavyweights. This is the ultimate challenge and it begins on May 25 against Carlos Takam. It’s a tough first fight but I need to test myself against world class opposition on my new road to undisputed,” Usyk said.
“Usyk has achieved everything in the cruiserweight division – I am ready to welcome him to the new world of heavyweight boxing. I can promise that this will be a great fight and I will provide Usyk with a huge test on his heavyweight debut. I have huge ambitions of my own in the division and this fight will provide me with the chance to prove that,” said Takam.
