Usyk isn’t proven enough to in my eyes compete with Norton I think he’s a tad underwhelming in my eyes, but hopefully given time he will rise to the occasion and prove his mettle at HW.
Yet people will still argue the difference between a 50s HW and a CW... I think the division should be abolished and it should return to the old way.
Nortons style would be problematic for Usky, but and there is a but! Usky has real power behind his defensive strategy! In the amateurs, I honestly expected him to be a cruiserweight George Foreman, if he turned professional!
Very even matchup. Both men around the same size with similar attributes. Norton's caginess might see him get outworked and lose a decision, but I see a lot of close and hard to score rounds. Norton's bodywork would be a key factor for him here, and I think he catches Usyk with a few well chosen ones upstairs as well. My gut says Usyk wins a close ugly decision, but Norton's in with a tremendous chance here.
Usky has power. If he had been developed as a limited boxer puncher, he would still have been a viable contender!
Usky might have but Usyk certainly does not. Not on the level you seem to suggest. And I'm someone that defends him against charges of feather fistedness.
I take it you have actually watched Norton Mark? The ability and skill gap between him and Chisora is enormous. Chisora is an unskilled honest plodder by comparison who pursued Usyk in straight lines, never had a clue how to cut the ring off, and at times Usyk still looked uncomfortable in there especially downstairs. Also don’t underestimate the ability of one the greatest trainers of all time in his corner devising a strategy to beat Usyk.
Norton actually fights quite a lot like a lanky looser Chisora, similar cross-armed bob and weave stalking style, reliance on closing down opponents then ripping big swinging shots to the body and head. Not massively fast of either hand or foot, but good enough to close distance on moving targets and accurate enough with his poling, punishing jab to keep fighters from getting too comfortable. More skilled sure, but not to such an extent that a comparison ceases to have any meaning. I think his jab causes Usyk real problems at times, and his loose jangly style of punching might catch him off guard as well. On the other side Usyk's speed, movement and workrate would clearly cause Norton a lot of problems, and if Usyk sat down on his shots I could see him really hurting Norton as well. The fight comes down to who can impose their preferred fighting range for the majority of the fight. If Usyk can keep on the outside his speed and workrate win him the fight. If Norton can close range however, and has a ref that allows him to work in there, his body shots and physical pressure can really sway the tide for him; Usyk's lack of inside fighting is a real flaw in his game.
Who has Usyk fought that is in Norton's league? He struggled with an overweight and past prime Chisora.
