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The heavyweight debut of undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is officially set for Saturday, May 25, as he’ll face Carlos Takam in a main event from Oxon Hill, Maryland. The fight will stream live on DAZN.
Usyk (16-0, 12 KO) won the WBO cruiserweight title in 2016, taking a decision over Krzysztof Glowacki. He added the WBC title in Jan. 2018, beating Mairis Briedis, then picked up the IBF and WBA titles by defeating Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament final in July.
He last fought in November, stopping Tony Bellew in Manchester.
Takam (36-5-1, 28 KO) is a decent veteran heavyweight, a fine first test at a new weight for Usyk. He’s lost to Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua, and Dereck Chisora in recent years.
“May 25 marks a major moment in my career when I move to the heavyweight division,” said Usyk. “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 has achieved everything in the cruiserweight division; I am ready to welcome him to the new world of heavyweight boxing,” said Takam. “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.”