If they ever decide to remake classic sci-fi action thriller The Terminator then Oleksandr Usyk would be a natural for the role originally played to chilling effect by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The similarities between the cyborg assassin sent back from 2029 to kill the woman carrying the unborn baby boy who can save the world from extinction and the all-time boxing great are stunning.
The relentless robot, according to the promotional poster for the iconic movie, feels no pity, no pain, no fear. It’s something unstoppable.
That’s exactly what you see when you look into the eyes of the 38-year-old Ukrainian who demolished Daniel Dubois in five devastating rounds at Wembley on Saturday night.
The British boxer was brutally taken apart, crashing to the canvas twice in the fifth round before his corner threw in the towel at the same time the fight was waved off by the referee.
Usyk ripped the IBF title away from the Londoner to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for a second time and, don’t forget, he also held all the belts to unify the cruiserweight division before stepping up to the ultimate level.
There were more than 90,000 fans packed into the famous stadium, but such is the East European’s popularity that it was anything but a partisan crowd cheering on the hometown boy.
It was the second time Usyk has beaten Dubois, as he stopped him in the ninth round when they met in Poland two years ago, and he improved his record to 24 unbeaten fights as a professional.
The big question is what happens next as the distance between Usyk and the realistic contenders is enormous. He’s never fought in Ukraine and if he is thinking of hanging up his gloves he would surely relish the opportunity to bow out in front of an adoring following in Kiev.
New Zealand’s improving Joseph Parker is the boxer most likely to be next in line but the big money would be a fight against Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury, both of whom he has fought and beaten twice.
The way AJ was taken apart by Dubois last year means he’s some way off being ready to touch gloves with Usyk for a third time and the self-styled Gypsy King would have to come out of retirement once again – something his comments on Saturday night suggest he is more than happy to do.
Bookmakers think Fury is the most likely option and have priced up that fight with the British mean machine 9/5 to triumph with Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet and Usyk 4/9 with the same firms to prevail.
He has insisted his thoughts are currently centred around resting and spending time with his family but make no mistake: he’ll be back.
Darts odds: Price is right to back Gerwyn in Blackpool
Greyhound fan Gerwyn Price can make a fast start to his bid for a first World Matchplay title at Blackpool when he faces Daryl Gurney in the first round at the seaside resort’s beautiful Winter Gardens.
Price has just retired his brilliant racer Iceman’s Girl but could name his next track star something like Empress Wonder if he wins one of darts’ top prizes in the glorious ballroom where the tournament is held and he’s 8/1 with sponsors Betfred to be the last man standing at the oche on Sunday.
After being victorious at both the Poland Darts Masters and the Baltic Sea Darts Open in recent weeks it no surprise Price is no better than 1/3 with bet365, SpreadEx and Sporting Index to defeat his Northern Ireland opponent so take the 7/1 with BetMGM and Unibet he eases into the second round with a 10-6 victory.
Tennis odds: British pair can triumph in Washington
British duo Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter prepare for their assaults on the US Open by competing in this week’s Citi Open in Washington and both can make winning starts.
Raducanu makes her first outing since a gallant effort in a straight sets defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon when she faces seventh seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and is 3/1 with Betfred to win 2-1.
Greece’s Maria Sakkari is on the other side of the net in Boulder’s first round match and is 3/4 to win outright with Bet Victor.