It's Usyk for me. And importantly his stock is still potentially rising. The backyard bandit travels the world and so far has climbed every mountain.
Usyk is much higher. Ward was a mediocre but very privileged boxer would have actually had little success without his dirty tactics, dishonest referees and despicable judges. Ward is not an ATG, but Usyk definitely is. - Ward refused to fight away from the USA in the Super Six - Ward's Olympic medal win was a robbery (watch the fight) - Ward used dirty, illegal tactics (deliberate head butts) and a dodgy referee against Kessler - Kovalev was ROBBED in their first fight, and Ward punched him in the scrotum for the TKO in the second Yes, Kovalev clearly won.
Usyk…. Ward was a dirty fighter who at times showed brilliance but never lived up to his full potential.
It's close to me. If I had to pick I would pick Ward. What Usyk did is great, but he hasn't really beaten the man in the HW division. If he beats Fury (which I don't think he will), then I would choose him over Ward.
Ward too didn't had did this one. At 175 lbs he had win vs Kovalev and after this had retired when they offered him to fight vs then prime shape Beterbiev version @ 175 lbs. Ward was 33? y.o. That's it. He didn't had boxed nor vs Bet nor vs Gvozdyk @ 1 7 5 lbs. Amateur accomplishments historically Usyk too had more: he is Olympic Gold medalist and World Championship Gold and Bronze medalist. In order to get all belts in CW Usyk had won vs 3 then undefeated champions, oldest from these champions was then 33 y.o Briedis. Usyk afer this had successful his undisputed status defense on foreign soil in U.K. Usyk in CW was 7-0 in World title fights, all fights on foreign soil. Ward was very good boxer but Usyk's resumes, both am and pro are already beautiful even if he never had fought after fight vs Bellew.
Usyk, I don't care about Ward and his nut shots (that's an unfortunate couple of words "nut shot", sounds like a very aggressive happy ending).. Anyway, Usyk, Usyk and Usyk. I am all in on Usyk, I'm a total Fanboy.
In every way. More punches landed, scored the knockdown... Classic example of how they **** up the sport with screw job decision. If they would have given Kovalev the victory he deserved, then they would have had the rematch,Ward might have won, they could have had the rubber match, and both would be remembered as very legit greats for the rivalry. Instead, Ward is sort of a truncated great that leaves a bad taste in a lot of mouths.
Usyks has 19 fights.. Never won a controversial one, never knocked down and did it all on the road… put clinics on the likes of Gassiev & Joshua.. Ward was excellent too but he was very dirty & he was VERY fortunate to get that first win over Kovalev… struggled with Boone, Bika too etc.. Kessler win is tainted too.. overall Usyks impressed me more.