Usyk hasn’t bulked up like Holyfield did, he’s a fighter who used to cut weight to get down and fight at cruiserweight so I don’t see his size being a problem. My only concern is his punching power. No stoppages at all in 24 amateur bouts and only a 33% stoppage ratio in the WBS. His pro ratio is very respectable at 77% but more so an accumulation of shots to getting the job done. I still back him to unify the division but will be more confident when I know he has the dig on him to keep the really big boys honest. Yes, Witherspoon was 6’4 and 245lbs but would like to see Usyk take one more fight against a better conditioned heavyweight before fighting for the championship. Hearn however is adamant that his next fight is the winner of Ruiz/Joshua. Thoughts?
I woke up and watched it. The first two rounds were a bit lethargic but he put his foot down in the third and it was great to watch. He dismantled Witherspoon but every now and again when unloading his shots Witherspoon would hit him with a big tight counter and Usyk would check back. The main concern is against the big hitters this could be his undoing. I just don’t think that one fight in the past year against an old and pretty poor Witherspoon is good preparation for the guys at the top of the division. Ideally I’d like to see him in with Parker but I’d even settle for Chisora. That should be easy to make once he beats Price and he’s shown he’s still got a bit of fight left in him. Before last night I had tipped Usyk to clear the division, thought he would beat Joshua/Ruiz/Wilder/Fury, now I’m not too sure.
Uysk looked good as expected. He was nevertheless marked up quite alot against Wetherspoon. He is a great boxer and I think punch power wise he will have enough to gain respect from opponents. I would like him to fight Povetkin before any world tight fight. Right now does he beat Fury, no imo. Does he beat Wilder, properly not, even though he would box his head of until Wilder landed the bingo shot. I think he would beat Ruiz quite easily and would edge Joshua in a hard fight.
Joshua/Ruiz/Wilder/Fury You couldn’t get four more stylistically different fighters if you tried. Yet you’ve casually decided to lump them all together. Such ridiculous hyperbole. Hack.
It was almost a year since he beat Bellew and the longest period of inactivity during his career. Factor in the bicep injury and I think it’s safe to say there was some ring rust and that Usyk was carrying Witherspoon from the 5th onwards just to get rounds. I was surprised how marked up Usyk was at the post fight press conference but I think he would fight at another level if he had one of the top 5 in front of him and would respect their power more. I’d say he’s own punching power is level with Parker though, if not slightly harder and he’s got much more spite about him.
Everyone knows the reason why he didn't bulk up Holyfield style, as today you wouldn't get away with that. He has to do it the natural way, and that's a lot less effective.
who mentioned anything about them stylistically you try hard tit. They’re “lumped together” because they’re commonly regarded as the top 4 in the division. Each is completely different, all have different qualities and all pose different threats to Usyk and anyone else they face.
Bit off topic but funny how Eddie Hearn can talk openly about Spong's failed testa including the dates of the failed tests and the substances but for Dillian Whyte he's legally not allowed to say anything and you have to wait until the non existant UKAD hearing. Same for when Miller had positive tests.
I thought Usyk was good. He looked like he was just enjoying it and slowly cranking up the heat as he often does. He is an absolute nightmare for Joshua and Wilder. Would love to see him fight Ruiz though
Yeah theres no way he could have disappeared for a year and come back with 2 stone of extra muscle like AJ did !!
The only critique possible is that he didn't blow out the guy in spectacular fashion. It happens. Especially when you're giving away size to a guy concerned first and foremost with surviving. Fight didn't really show us much. Same upside. Same concerns.
Yeah, he could have pulled a Bernard too, like Joshua did. Lucky for us he didn't do it. Too many cheaters in the division already.
