The 36-year Silam Duel Between Evander Holyfield Vs Muhammad Qawi Has His OWN Iss For Oleksandr Usyk

Boxer from Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk. (Photo: Instagram/@usykaa)

JAKARTA The duel for a 15-round cruiserweight title between Evander Holyfield andwa Muhammad Qawi in 1986 was a favorite fight for Ukraine's champion, Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk made a confession regarding the favorite duel in a recent interview uploaded on his personal YouTube account. He even claimed to have watched the duel more than 10 times.

"I watched Evander Holyfield's first championship match again and Qawi more than 10 times," Usyk said as quoted by Boxing Scene, Monday, February 20, 2023.

Holyfield's duel against Qawi was recognized by Ring magazine as one of the best 15 rounds of fighting in boxing history. Holyfield's own fight was finally won by Holyfield through a split decision (split decision).

The two fighters then met again a year later. However, Holyfield ended the match more convincingly, namely stopping Qawi in the fourth round.

"It was Holyfield's first title fight, the 15 title holder. Really amazing! I would call this fight my favorite fight," said Usyk, who currently holds the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts.

Usyk, who is 36 years old, beat Anthony Joshua with an absolute decision in 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, to win Joshua's IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles.

He then won again against the England fighter in their rematch which took place in August the following year in Saudi Arabia. At that time, Usyk again won points in the fight which was considered more competitive.

Usyk said that twice his duel opportunity with Joshua was also included in his favorite fight. Just like Holyfield vs Qawi, he has also watched videos against Joshua repeatedly.

"There are many fights that I really admire. I have watched several of them several times. I have watched my fight with Anthony Joshua seven, eight times; the second, five times," he said.

Usyk is currently in negotiations to face WBC title holder Tyson Fury. The two of them got into the ring to fight for the undisputed heavyweight world title.

Their fight was originally expected to take place in the Middle East. But their promoters have indicated this fight is likely to take place in England.