If a geriatric Ortiz can shut Wilder out for almost 7 rounds

According to Jason Bergman the hardest puncher he's ever shared a ring with is Makhmudov

'How would you like to know if Arslanbek Makhmudov is so strong?

Last night, at the Casino, Makhmudov terrified and knocked out his opponent.

But here we are talking about Jason Bergman. It was his 45th fight. Not to mention dozens of rounds against Deontay Wylder, Oscar Rivas or Tyson Fury.

In other words, mileage in the body.

Bergman was shot down in two minutes. Pif, paf, boom.


I found it in a corner of the Casino that served as a locker room for blue boxers. He was receiving his pay check from a board member.

He was kind and affable and I asked all the questions that came to mind:

"His strength is really special. He knocks hard and heavy. It is obvious that he still lacks experience and that he strikes when opening. But it's the guy who hits the hardest I've faced, "he said.

Wow! Minute.

Bergman made eight rounds against Joseph Parker, he worked with Deontay Wilder: "Wilder's right is faster, more accurate. But it's less strong than that big Russian. It's not a joke, it's not an exaggeration, "he added.

With Rivas

Bergman, who spent a few weeks working in sparring with Oscar Rivas, was still impressed. Short question, long answer. Genre:

- Can Quebec fans ever hope for Makhmudov in the world's elite?

- Definitely yes. He still has to learn, to shorten his strokes, but it is a force of nature. No doubt. It's an experience to face it, even after 44 fights.'

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Weird how a 1-0 Usyk was able to stop Mendoza legitimately in 4 rounds and drop him twice but a 14-0 closer to prime Ortiz than the OAP Bum Squad fought couldn't even drop him let alone get him out of there in 4 rounds.

Also weird how Usyk was able to stop Eric Brechlin, cracking him clean and hard so often that his corner felt compelled to throw the towel in, but the murderous punching 6'6'' 250lb + Makhmudov was taken the distance by same Brechlin. Brechlin also took the 6'6'' 240lb Hrgovic and AJ the distance too.

Hmm..

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Knocks out might be a stretch, but if he fights the perfect fight, it'll end up looking just like Callum Smith vs John Ryder. And certainly and sadly probably similar to scorecards.

 

Possibly, but if Usyk mixes it up constantly, half the Ryder approach, half the Szpilka approach, he can last 12. You're right Wilder gives 0 ****s about winning rounds, but he's also ridiculously cautious, to the point that he takes zero risks. All Usyk has to do is imitate Szpilka's plan to the letter, and avoid being caught for three more rounds. He's got it in the bag, at least at in the eyes of the viewers.

 

I just dont see how I wouldnt view the attributes matchup between Wilder vs Ortiz to be so vastly different than Wilder vs Usyk, to the extent that it makes it rather irrelevant to how Usyk would do against Wilder.

Ortiz was beating Wilder because Wilder was being ultra cautious against a large heavy hitter who had him hurt in their first encounter.

I cant imagine him having the same respect for Usyk. And even if Usyks footwork and skills kept Wilders hands at home due to lack of target, it still has little in common with the Ortiz fight.

And for the record... I dont think Usyk has an easy time with the Ortiz that showed up against Wilder either.

 

Then why was he being equally cautious against light hitting southpaw Szpilka?