Oleksandr Usyk Carries Torch for World’s Best Southpaw Fighters

If a person on the street looked at Oleksandr Usyk compared to other top heavyweight fighters, there would likely be some skepticism that the 6-foot-3 Ukrainian could ever become champion. But Usyk has exceeded people’s expectations because of how unique his career has been. Usyk is on a short list of the top southpaw fighters in the world.

By finding a way to utilize his speed and accurate punching, online boxing news shows that Usyk was able to transition from being the best cruiserweight in the world to reaching the top of the heavyweight division. Usyk is 22-0 during his career, including four successful victories in world heavyweight title fights.

The victory that put Usyk on the map in the heavyweight division was when he beat Anthony Joshua by split decision in August 2022. Most recently, Usyk dominated Tyson Fury last May. While the scorecards show the fight as a split decision, most observers agreed that Usyk dominated the fight with Fury and scored the only knockdown.

During his career, Usyk built up his skills. Usyk is one of many boxers who has found success fighting primarily out of the southpaw stance. Here’s a look at some of the other top southpaw fighters in the world.

Shakur Stevenson is Also Perfect

This hasn’t been the best year for Shakur Stevenson in terms of generating fan interest. Stevenson only fought once in 2024 and picked up a unanimous decision victory. While there has been a desire for Stevenson to produce more knockouts, big things may be ahead for the former Olympic silver medalist.

Stevenson recently left Top Rank and signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing. He is already 22-0 in his career and will defend his WBC Lightweight title against Joe Cordina on Oct. 12. Stevenson would like to secure a super fight with Gervonta Davis.

During his career, Stevenson has wowed crowds with his pinpoint punching. Even if the knockouts don’t pick up, any boxer who steps in the ring with Stevenson has to be on their toes.

Zhang Has Plenty of Options for Next Steps

Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang has stunning power. During Zhang’s last fight, he lost a decision to Joseph Parker despite knocking his opponent down twice. While Zhang is now 41, he is still one of the top five heavyweights in the world.

Zhang is coming off a fifth-round TKO win over former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. The boxing news latest headlines show that Zhang has made a living off of putting tough fighters away. Zhang, who won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics, didn’t turn professional until 2014.

Once Zhang decided to fight professionally, he started laying out opponents. Zhang has 22 knockouts in 27 career wins and should be in the heavyweight title picture for the next few years.

Errol Spence is a Hard Man to Hit

Errol Spence Jr. is still licking his wounds from a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford last July. But Spence has spent his career handing out abuse in the other direction. Since turning professional in 2012, Spence has picked up 22 victories by knockout.

Much like Stevenson, Spence is criticized for not having the most exciting style. But all of the people who want to see these fighters take risks also don’t have to risk being punched in the face for a living.

Spence is a precise puncher who is excellent with his movement and is difficult for anyone to hit. While Spence taking his first professional loss was a crushing blow, he still has the skills to fight at a high level.

Lomachenko Has Been a Tough Out

Ukraine knows how to produce excellent southpaw boxers. The world boxing latest news shows that Vasiliy Lomachenko climbed the ranks to become a unified lightweight champion. While Lomachenko still doesn’t have all of his belts, he has held the IBF lightweight title since last May.

Lomachenko, 36, took some time to reach the professional ranks. He had a long amateur career and became a rare two-time Olympic gold medalist after capturing gold in 2008 and 2012. Lomachenko has become a fan favorite for his willingness to engage in action fights.

While Lomachenko only has 21 professional fights under his belt, he is a name that many opponents don’t want to see standing across from them in the ring. Lomachenko will likely have the opportunity to take on several more top fighters before he decides to hang up the gloves.

Billy Joe Saunders Could Return to the Conversation

Even promoter Eddie Hearn believes that Billy Joe Saunders is a boxer. But the British fighter is getting some calls from his former opponents, who would like Saunders to return from three years of exile to fight again. Saunders won his first 30 professional fights and collected the WBO super middleweight title.

Saunders is notable for being the first fighter from the Travelling community to become a two-division world champion. He held titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions. Saunders is about to turn 35 at the end of the month, so he’s not too old to continue competing.

However, Saunders’ last fight in the ring was a brutal beating. During a fight in Arlington, Texas, Saunders took a sustained beating from Canelo Alvarez. The damage progressed as the fight went into the eighth round.

While the fight was relatively close on the scorecards, the fight was halted when Saunders said he couldn’t see. He suffered a few injuries that required surgery, which has kept him out of the ring. Saunders had to repair several fractures to his eye socket.

Saunders may be done, but Hearn has indicated a return is possible. It would be fun to see him come back. Going out with a defeat to Canelo doesn’t seem a fitting way for his career to end.

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By Dean McHugh.