In his second pro fight tomorrow, Oleksandr (Alexander) Usyk will be facing Epifanio Mendoza. Mendoza is a solid journeyman who has pulled off some upsets (such as over an undefeated heavyweight prospect named Carlos Negron). Here's Usyk's first pro fight against Felipe Romero (16-7): [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtD1_MbE5xw[/url]
Sadly I'll not be able to watch it, unless I get very lucky I am certainly following Usyk's pro career with interest. There's some serious potential in the lad!
Incredibly bold sophomore venture. Epi is a livewire. Usyk, however, is a stud and should be OK. If he dominates Mendoza it will go a ways towards helping substantiate my argument that he is as good as Lomachenko p4p. (of course it will also help tremendously if Salido beats Lomachenko :yep)
He should but its a great measuring stick since Mendoza went 9 rounds with Chakhkiev about a year ago. If he handles him with no problems and K2 keep moving him at this pace Usyk could be facing a top 10 opponent in his next couple fights.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGRxlyZT6o8[/url] This content is protected This content is protected
Usyk looks strange wearing red trunks as a pro. I would have though he would go with the blue/yellow theme.
It is a big step up, but like you say, I don't think it's beyond Usyks abilities. That said, I ain't 100% sold on Usyk in the pros tho, I wanna see him in with someone who has the ability to hurt him. It may be unfair but I always remember Usyk being backed up by the aggression of the Romanian kid (quick check = Nistor) and looking really uncomfortable on the ropes in the WSB finals. Not that I don't think he's an incredible talent, just that (despite probably being a tougher opponent than anything below a pro top 10) the Nistor fight left me with questions over how he'll deal with serious pressure.
Nah. Don't get me wrong, Usyk is a special talent and I'm really looking forward to him tearing his way through the pro ranks. It's just that small doubt - that little questionmark. As I said, Nistor is the kinda fighter that's likely to be as tough as anyone he might meet in the pros, and ultimately, Usyk collected himself and won solidly. It was IBs comparison to Loma that I was disputing, I've never seen Loma look pressed in quite the same way. Have no doubt, though - I already got my ticket for the Usyk express.
maybe Usyk could compete vs Brian Minto. Minto did okay in the heavyweight tourney and recently stopped Shane Cameron. BM may technically be a heavyweight but he's obviously not an extremely large heavyweight. He's tough enough and skilled enough to force Usyk to go some rounds & an upset isn't entirely out of the question either.
Yes it was a great performance but i would like to see him against a more prime fringe contender who will be capable of pushing him a little and going 8,9,10 rounds. Mendoza was a quality fight, ridiculously so for your second pro bout 3 months into your career, but with Usyk's talent an experienced tough guy like Minto is the only way he's going to get that challenge.
