Usyk Reveals Who Hits Harder: Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua?

In the world of heavyweight boxing, fans are always curious about who packs the most punch. Is it the towering Tyson Fury with his size and power? Or is it the chiseled Anthony Joshua known for his explosive knockouts? When someone who has fought both—like Oleksandr Usyk—shares his opinion, people listen.

Recently, Usyk gave a surprising answer about the hardest hitter he’s ever faced. And guess what? It wasn’t Fury. And it wasn’t Joshua either. Let’s break down what he said, what it means, and why it matters for boxing fans everywhere.

Who Is Oleksandr Usyk?

First, let's take a quick look at who Oleksandr Usyk is. If you're not too familiar with him, here’s what makes him special:

• Undisputed cruiserweight champion – He smashed through the division with style and skill.
• Undefeated heavyweight – Moved up in weight and is still unbeaten.
• Fought both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – He owns wins over Joshua and recently beat Fury in a split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

So yeah—when Usyk talks, we all lean in closer. He’s got the experience to back his words.

The Big Question: Fury or Joshua — Who Hits Harder?

People probably expected Usyk to name one of the big guns—either Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury—as the hardest puncher he’s faced. But he didn’t.

In a recent interview, Usyk turned heads when he was asked about the most painful punch he's ever received.

His response?

“Let me tell you the truth: it was Mairis Briedis.”

Wait… who?

Mairis Briedis: The Surprising Answer

Briedis is a name that may not be as famous as Joshua or Fury, especially outside of Europe. But he's no slouch. The Latvian fighter is a former cruiserweight champion and gave Usyk a serious run for his money back in 2018.

According to Usyk:

“Briedis hit me with an uppercut that almost took my head off. My brain was shaking.”

That’s saying something coming from a guy who’s gone 12 tough rounds with two of the biggest names in boxing.

Why This Matters

You might be wondering... so what? Why should fans care about what Usyk said—or didn’t say—about Joshua and Fury?

Here’s why this is more than just an interesting quote:

• It shows power isn't everything. Both Joshua and Fury have knocked people out cold, but that doesn’t mean their punches are the most painful or dangerous.
• Boxing is about timing and precision too. Briedis may not be the biggest name, but he landed a punch that left a lasting impression on a future undisputed champ.
• It sparks new respect for overlooked fighters. Briedis is sometimes under the radar, but clearly, he’s capable of doing damage at the highest level.

What About Tyson Fury's Power?

Tyson Fury is known more for his movement, agility, and impressive ring IQ than pure knockout power. Yes, he’s big—like 6'9" big—and heavy, but that doesn’t automatically mean bone-crushing hits.

When Fury beat Deontay Wilder, he did so with pressure and precision, not just big looping punches. Most of his knockouts have come later in fights when he wears opponents down.

So, perhaps it's not too surprising that Usyk didn’t name Fury, even after their recent epic showdown.

And Anthony Joshua?

Joshua, on the other hand, has a reputation for raw power. His knockouts are highlight-reel stuff. From Wladimir Klitschko to Dillian Whyte, he’s laid out some serious opponents.

Still, Usyk fought Joshua twice—and won both times. He admitted that AJ’s punches were tough, but none of them shook him like Briedis’s uppercut.

How the Punch Felt to Usyk

In his words, after the Briedis uppercut:

"For a couple of seconds, I didn’t understand where I was."

That’s what makes this revelation so powerful. Not the punch itself, but the lasting effect it had on Usyk—mentally and physically. When a punch makes you question reality for a moment, it’s a serious blow.

What Can Fans Learn From This?

This whole conversation gives fans a better sense of what it’s really like inside the ring. It’s not always the biggest puncher who leaves the biggest mark.

Usyk is reminding us:

• Danger can come in unexpected forms
• Technique beats brute strength more often than not
• Every fighter brings their own challenges to the ring

That’s what makes boxing such a fascinating and beautiful sport.

Final Thoughts: Power Isn’t Everything

So, who hits harder—Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua?

According to Usyk… neither of them.

Mairis Briedis may not be a household name, but in Usyk’s memory, his punch left a mark that neither Fury nor Joshua could match.

It just goes to show: No matter how much fame or size a fighter has, there’s always a deeper story when you step into the ring.

Ask Yourself:

Do you judge a fighter only by their knockouts? Or do you look at the complete package—skills, style, smarts?

If this blog taught us anything, it's that the "hardest punch" might not always come from the most hyped-up name. And that’s what makes boxing endlessly exciting.

Who do you think is the hardest puncher in heavyweight boxing today? Drop your thoughts in the comments!