As Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk became a unified cruiserweight champion on Saturday night by beating Russia's Murat Gassiev by a unanimous decision, talk had begun already of him stepping up to the heavyweight division and even a potential showdown with Anthony Joshua at some point next year.

Usyk wrote his name in history at the weekend by becoming the first man to hold all four world cruiserweight titles. 

The record holder called out Tony Bellew straight after the bout, saying: "I heard Tony Bellew is looking to fight the winner of the World Boxing Super Series - So hey, Tony Bellew, come see me, I am ready."

One man in particular doesn't think Usyk should stop there, though.

Boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed thinks the Ukrainian should go one step further and take on the sport's current biggest name Anthony Joshua.

Speaking to ITV, Hamed, who fought in the featherweight division during the 1990's and early 2000's reckons he could be a match for Joshua.

"I honestly think he would give Anthony Joshua a run for his money," before going on to say: "I would like to see him fight AJ. He can work for twelve rounds.

"He would give Anthony serious problems. I think he can do the same thing [as he did against Gassiev] even against [Deontay] Wilder."

Hamed is not the only one who thinks Usyk can go the distance one day with Joshua, as the Ukrainian himself has hinted that he would love nothing more than to prove himself at the highest level.

Speaking earlier in the year, Usyk spoke about the potential for moving up in the sport.

"I will move up to heavyweight and show them how good I am."

For the time being, it does seem a little way off. Joshua has a showdown in London in September against Alexander Povetkin, while Usyk looks set to face Bellew as the pair both confirmed their interest in facing each other.

Bellew took little time in confirming his interest by taking to his Twitter page to announce it, saying: "Usyk, I was BORN READY!! lets get this done".

So for the time being, the match-up between Joshua and Usyk is a way off, but if Usyk can prove himself against Bellew, this could be one hell of a match-up in 2019.