Teddy Atlas says Usyk has the chance to do something Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis couldn’t

Hall of Fame trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has urged Oleksandr Usyk to end his career in a contrasting fashion to those of Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.

The Ukrainian has already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats, while perhaps not being placed on the same pedestal as Ali and Louis.

This is partly because Ali, for instance, competed at world level for the best part of 15 years, defeating the likes of George Foreman and Joe Frazier in legacy-defining encounters.

Similarly, Louis demonstrated his longevity by setting a heavyweight record (25) for the most successful title defences, while reigning as a dominant champion for almost 12 years.

But while both these legends crafted astonishing Hall of Fame careers, they ultimately paid the price for remaining in the sport several years after reaching their peaks.

Usyk, on the other hand, has the opportunity to leave boxing on his terms after becoming a two-division undisputed champion.

Speaking with CanadaCasino, Atlas highlighted this as the most desirable option for a man with signature wins over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

“All I want is for Usyk to do something not every great fighter has been able to pull off: walk off into the sunset at your best.

“Walk off whole, healthy, and with the memory that we deserve to have about you. The great Joe Louis couldn’t do it. The great Muhammad Ali couldn’t do it. I’d like to see Usyk do that. It’s not for Teddy Atlas to choose that time; it’s for Usyk to choose that time. But I think he’s starting to choose it.”

Coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven in May, Usyk relinquished his heavyweight titles and revealed that he has just one fight left.

Many suspect that this will arrive against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who comes off a split decision victory over fellow veteran Derek Chisora.