Oleksandr Usyk Names The Fighter Whose Punch Left Him ‘Seeing Birds’: “It Felt Like A Cartoon”

**Oleksandr Usyk Names The Fighter Whose Power Left Him ‘Seeing Birds’: “It Felt Like A Cartoon”**

Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian boxing phenomenon and reigning unified heavyweight champion, is known for his agility, boxing IQ, and resilience in the ring. However, in a recent interview, Usyk candidly shared a rare moment where even he was rocked by an opponent’s power—so much so that it left him “seeing birds.”

Usyk revealed that it was **Artur Beterbiev**, the fearsome Russian-Canadian light-heavyweight champion, whose punches made him feel like he was living out a cartoon scene. Usyk, who faced Beterbiev as an amateur, described the encounter as a physically taxing experience.

“I remember it well,” Usyk said. “Beterbiev hit me so hard I was seeing birds, just like in cartoons. It was something surreal. I wasn’t knocked out, but it felt like the world slowed down for a moment. That man’s power is extraordinary, and it’s not something you forget.”

Known for his own speed and technical brilliance, Usyk is not usually one to dwell on the physicality of an opponent, but Beterbiev’s legendary knockout power is hard to ignore. With a professional record of 19-0, all won by knockout, Beterbiev’s fearsome reputation speaks for itself. Usyk acknowledged this, saying that Beterbiev’s power isn’t just about raw strength but his precision and timing.

“When Artur throws punches, it’s not wild. Everything is calculated, and when they land, you feel it deeply. It’s like being hit by a wrecking ball,” Usyk continued, drawing comparisons between Beterbiev’s punching power and the cartoonish sensations that followed.

Despite the jarring memory, Usyk’s respect for Beterbiev runs deep. Both men carved out remarkable careers in the amateur boxing scene before going on to become dominant champions in their respective weight classes as professionals. Usyk has remained undefeated, while Beterbiev has conquered all who’ve stepped into the ring with him.

Reflecting on that bout, Usyk’s anecdote gives insight into the psychological toughness required to endure such heavy shots and continue fighting. It also highlights the rare vulnerability of an elite fighter, who despite his own immense skill and success, is not immune to the power of an exceptional opponent.

For boxing fans, Usyk’s recollection adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing question: what would happen if these two men met again, this time in the professional ranks?

While Usyk is currently reigning at heavyweight, and Beterbiev dominates at light heavyweight, boxing history has shown that anything is possible. As for now, the memories of their amateur clash live on, with Usyk admitting that his experience with Beterbiev’s power was unforgettable.

The story of “seeing birds” after a punch may sound like it belongs in a cartoon, but for Usyk, it was a brief reality in the brutal world of boxing—a testament to the sheer force behind Artur Beterbiev’s devastating punches.