Bellew vs Usyk. Pick Em!

Very well could be early. I will stick with my stoppage prediction around the 9th though.

 

I think the key words were 'sky pundits'

 

For those of us 'travelling abroad', does anyone know what foreign TV channels are showing this?

 

shown on foxports in australia

 

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/wo...ksandr-usyk-streaming-watch-sites-boxing-news

 

Usyk within 6 rounds on the snaff.

 

Tony talks a good game, but it means zilch. I think he is getting outclassed personally.

 

This has probably been said to death but I think Usyk will outbox him on his toes moving and quiet the crowd. Then, as Bellew has to take chances Usyk will pick him off and finish Bellew on his feet around round 10.

One thing though, Usyk will not find it as easy as some are making out. Bellew is no plodder he is a good boxer and looks in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in, which suggests he’s ready for the life and death type fight he always goes on about. I can see a stalemate early with Bellew waiting, trying to set traps making Usyk be the agressor. Bellew will be prepared to lose every round as long as he can land his left hook, which if I remember right was looking super sharp against Haye. The hook that caught Dickinson in the amateurs and Makabu would knock any man out, I just can’t see Usyk being in range long enough to take one.

 

Agreed.

They also seem to have adopted the narrative that Bellew is somehow at his peak at the moment. He’s 36 this month which would mean its highly unlikely to me.

It’s 2 and half years since he fought a younger man in Makubu. That’s a long time when you are an athlete in your mid thirties. His last 3 fights have been against fighters in their late thirties so he was always likely to look the younger fresher man.

Now against someone who to all extents and purposes is potentially at his peak or near and several years younger I wouldn’t be surprised if Bellew started to look like he has aged since the Makubu fight.

Any other fighter a few weeks away from his 36th birthday would inevitably have questions posed about “how much do they have left?” but I haven’t heard it mentioned at all for this fight.

 

I think Bellew will probably have some ok success early on.

The problem for me is this, when he does hurt people, he loads up and the opponents can easily see his shots coming. Just look at Haye 1 and Cleverly 2 when he was on the shots.

He did the same against Bacurin also. When he does this he tires himself out.

The next problem is, Usyk always ups the pressure later on in fights and the tempo, whilst Bellew fades badly. He's been able to get away with it against Haye in both fights due to Hayes leg injury. Haye also was 37 years old.

Usyk won't allow him just to go for walks, he will mentally and physically stalk him.

Then Bellew hasnt fought at Cruiser for 2 years and is nigh on 36.

I know he looks in great shape, so did Hatton when he came back but he was still faded.

Scott Harrison when he fought Liam Walsh looked in great shape, but he was flagging badly at the end.

The point is looking in shape when your older, doesn't transfer into going to be able to be great stamina wise.

Bellews been all over the place with weight and shape his career. Like the posts above, no one is factoring this and his age into the equation.

If he wins, it will be by moving back and left hand counter, thrown from waist height, bang on the button.

I think it will be Usyk via TKO.

 

Great post!

 

Great points made there about him loading up. This is what I meant about Bellew not being able to catch Usyk. The left hook he knocked Makabu out on his feet with he loaded up and twisted every inch of body weight into it, he was only able to do this because Makabu was really hurt already. But how is Bellew going to get Usyk into that state and somewhat stationary, to unload that power and get him out of there.

I hadn’t thought about stamina either, he couldn’t stop sitting ducks Haye and Cleverly for ages or at all and as you say it’s because he’s punched himself out, that coupled with the weight fluctuations and age and you never know what effect it may have, particularly in the second half of the fight.

 

^^^
People were sleeping on Usyk’s power and overestimating Bellew’s durability.

 

One of the most satisfying knockouts in years.

Sky an utter disgrace with the commentary - yet again. I gave Bellew no more than two rounds yet Haye and Froch said it was "no question" Bellew was winning the rounds!

 

Fair play, think Usyk gave Bellew TOO much respect the first couple of rounds, but at round 4 or 5 I noticed Bellew was starting to move far too much.

As I expected Tony faded and Usyk started to turn the screw.

Fair play to Bellew for having a go, honest assessment at the end for him. That's what you should say, beaten by the better man and that's fair enough.

Highlight reel KO that though.