Former Usyk conqueror talks "low blows" and how to beat the Ukrainian
Egor Mekhontsev defeated Usyk in the 2009 World Championships
Oleksandr Usyk has proven to be a difficult man to beat across his long boxing career. As a professional, no one has managed to topple the Ukrainian star in 24 attempts over 12 years. However, like any fighter, Usyk is not entirely infallible.
Russia’s Egor Mekhontsev (pictured above) is a man who knows how to get the better of the skilful southpaw. Speaking at the IBA Men’s World Championships in Dubai last week, Egor, now 41, explained what it takes to beat Usyk, having been the last fighter to exactly that when they met in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Milan, 2009.
“I think you need to have good speed, at least something like Egor Mekhontsev’s. Then it becomes possible,” he said.
Absent from the ring since 2017, when he scored a professional points win over Gusmyr Perdomo, the 2012 gold medallist still envisions a pro fight between him and Usyk.
You can support Steve’s Boxing updates by:
❤️ Liking the post (a free shot that makes you feel good).
🗣️ Leave a comment to get things off your chest. Agree with Steve? Think he’s talking nonsense as usual? Let me know.
🥊 Subscribe! It’s all free. Get everything I write or say directly to your inbox.
☕ Buy me a coffee. If you’ve got a spare couple of shillings 👇👇👇
While his eight years of inactivity, following the accumulation of a 13-0-1 (8 KOs) pro slate, make that unrealistic as Usyk chases career-closing paydays, Mekhontsev still sees flaws and boasts the pedigree to hold an opinion.
“Yes, of course [I would welcome a pro fight]. My old teammates still send me some videos from time to time and ask: “Egor, do you still think you would tear all of them apart?”
“And I tell them: ‘You know, I still think so.’
“I’m 40, but I still feel that way. I can’t go around saying I’d do this or that — in our culture that’s considered improper — but I have a lot of confidence in myself. If anything, anytime, anywhere. I’m always ready.”
Nobody’s perfect, including Usyk, who had to clean out Daniel Dubois in a Wembley rematch to scratch away any lingering accusations of feigning injury following a low blow in their first fight. According to Egor, what happened in Poland back in 2023 isn’t an exclusive incident.
“When he boxed with me, he kept going down as if I were hitting him below the belt, even though I was punching to the body — yet he’d grab areas you’re not allowed to hit. I think that’s shameful; where we come from, that’s considered a low act.
“I’ve seen his other fights, and people complained too. Take his fight with Beterbiev at the Olympic Games — when he started holding his kidney on the completely opposite side.
“We talked with Artur, and he said: “It was physically impossible for me to hit him there.” If you look at it objectively, he simply couldn’t reach that kidney.
“That’s why they deducted two points from Usyk. That’s something he does. It’s a habit of his — and for us, that’s disgraceful.
“And the way he keeps dropping…Damn, aren’t you tired of falling?! At least once — don’t fall! Don’t fall and don’t pretend.”
Strong words from a strong fighter who also fought Beterbiev as an amateur almost 20 years ago. Egor Mekhontsev has only one message for anyone looking to slip and slide past adversity in the ring.
“In the end, this is a man’s sport. Tough it out,” he concluded.
Image Credits: Top Rank, YouTube screenshot.
About Steve…
Current existence: Boxing writer, educator and business owner.
Previous lives: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine, Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist and copywriter.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com