Usyk is hyped because he is an outstanding boxer. Nobody is comparing him to Ali in terms of greatness, it's normal given their similar size/weight and that of their opposition (no matter what division) that a fighter of Usyk's class would be matched hypothetically against the best in history. I favour both Fury and Joshua versus Usyk but he is the only non-giant with the ability to have a realistic shot at bridging the size gap. I would bet Usyk against any other fighter without much hesitation.
Prime Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967 would defeat Usyk rather easily too much speed, and no matter how big you are, you cannot hit what you cannot catch or see. Ali by unanimous decision.
I haven't seen enough from Usyk yet to convince me that he's better than Liston, Frazier, Foreman, Quarry, Norton, Lyle, Bugner etc....
That was on June 18 1963, Ali got up and won by TKO 5 over Henry Cooper. On May 21 1966, when Ali was already World Heavyweight Champion, he tore up Henry Cooper's eyes so badly, they required 14 stitches, Ali stopped Cooper, TKO 6. In those years, 1964-1967, nobody had a chance against Muhammad Ali, size does not mean a thing, especially if you are big and too slow, no fighter is going to let anybody hit them by standing still, Ali could move for 15 rounds if he had to. We are talking about his prime years, not the 1970's.
Ali beats Usyk by way of K.O. Ali shocked the world more than anyone else did in the history of boxing. He knocked out Liston and Foreman who most people thought could slaughter Ali in the ring.
Ali by a country mile but no disrespect to Usyk, who I think is a great fighter and will be remembered as such. It is just that you have to give it to Ali out of respect for the amazing record.
Jesus Christ. People need to actually watch the footage instead of reading the historic P4P lists written by fetishists from Murica. Usyk is no smaller than Ali, probably bigger, and better in every aspect. And Ali KO'-ing Usyk is the funniest prediction in boxing. Sorry, fantasists, a guy that takes shots from Beterbiev, Briedis, Gassiev is not getting KO'd by the Sting-like-a-butterfly political symbol. And as for Ali avoiding Usyk's shots, something tells me a guy who ends up with severe brain damage may not have been the master of footwork and defence he's made out to be, LOL!