Oleksandr Usyk was not Tyson Fury’s toughest outing despite being his only conqueror, according to the man himself.

Fury has a vast resume of leading heavyweights from his time at the pinnacle of the division, with just one defeat on his professional record.

Fury was beaten by Usyk, who he has suggested wasn’t his toughest rivalAFP

That came in May when he stepped up and challenged for the undisputed titles against Usyk, but came up short losing by split decision.

Despite it being the only stain on his glittering time in the professional ranks, Fury has instead named Deontay Wilder as the toughest fighter has come up against.

“I’m gonna have to say Wilder,” Fury said during an interview to promote the launch of Undisputed on October 11.

“When I fought Wilder he was in his prime, he was the man to beat and he was a dynamite puncher.

“One mistake and it’s over in any round, round one or round 12. From maybe 2007, me and Wilder had a pact together.

“I’d see him hit people and their legs would be shaking, out cold on the floor. They’re terrifying knockouts.

“The highlight reel knockouts that he has are up there with anybody’s, if not the best.

“Going in there with him I never once thought about going to sleep or getting hit by them punches, I just thought I’ll box and do what I got to do.

“I always do. I never really think, ‘well I’ll keep my hands up for this one’. “My hands have been down behind my back for the majority of my career and they will continue to be there.

“Unfortunately, that’s just the way I am and if I’m going to get punched in the face then so be it. I’ve had plenty in the face before.”

Fury was dropped several times in their trilogy bouts but got the better of WilderFrank Micelotta/FOX

Fury fought Wilder in an epic trilogy with their first meeting ending in a controversial draw.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ dropped Fury with a booming shot late on but he was able to recover and was believed to have done enough to win on the scorecards.

A rematch was immediately called in 2020, which saw Fury batter and dominate Wilder winning in sensational fashion.

The American then forced a third meeting which was an epic battle, as he dropped his rival twice but was eventually stopped late on in the showdown.

Wilder possesses arguably the most power in the division and was extremely feared, but it was Usyk who completed the job against Fury.

Incredibly, Fury claimed in the aftermath of his difficult war with Usyk that he had found it easy.

He said: “I’ve watched the fight back lots of times and still got the same answer – I thought I won the fight.

“Usyk knows he didn’t beat me. I thought I boxed the head right off him for most of the rounds.

“It was actually a lot easier than I thought it’d be, the Usyk fight. My problem in that fight was I probably had too much fun.

“It was probably too easy. It was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer.”