I think HW at the very highest level may be a step too far these days with the size differences. Even Usyk at 6’3 and 220 is considered a smallish HW. Even if AB bulked up enough would his power carry over against some of those giants? Hmm, doubtful. I could definitely see him doing some good business at CW though, where even though he’d be giving away some size and reach, I think his power would carry over pretty effectively.
This forum has overdosed on nostalgia from the 70s LHW division. Imagine thinking Saad could beat Beterbiev.
Ordinarily I would agree but look at Andy Ruiz. Realistically he is 50lbs overweight and should be CW but his excellent punching technique has taken him very far. He has been toppling giants for years now. BTW: I'm not saying that Beterbiev beats any top HW's but I think he'd be more competitive than we think. These big giants tend to be lumbering oafs with poor co-ordination and stamina.
I hear you. David Haye beating Valuev who was 100lbs heavier not to mention nearly a foot taller, and a world champ no less is proof that a little guy can succeed against a giant with the right technique and conditioning. But my main point about Artur is would his devastating LHW KO power transfer well against the main huge guys. It is after all what separates him from the rest of the 175 division. I’m not saying he isn’t a good boxer anyway without the devastating punch, but we all know that it’s his brutal finishing that elevates him to the very best of todays LHWs. A bulked up 210lb Beterbiev’s power may well surprise us at HW, but I doubt it would be the deciding factor that it is at LHW.
Based off of what? The metric itself is silly, who has Usyk beat to put him on the level if Holyfield? What has he accomplished in comparison?
I'm not the one rating Usyk above Holyfield but you have people who have him as the GOAT at CW based on what he did in the Muhammad Ali tournament. All I am saying is this, apply the same metric for Beterbiev too if you want to evaluate their ATG/GOAT status.
Boy are you optimistic. Considering Beterbiev has had only one marquee fight, and, only 18 fights total in his first 10 years as a pro, I find your prediction extraordinarily unlikely.
That is true. But, Usyk has fought a MUCH higher calibre of opposition than Beterbiev has so far. About the only fight of Artur's that wasn't a foregone conclusion was The Gvosdik fight. And, the fact that Gvosdik hasn't fought since that fight (almost 3 years ago) leaves some question marks about just how good Gvosdik actually was.
You can tell the same about the fighters that Usyk beat. None of them could become champions after Usyk beat them.
It’s hard to take you seriously when you’re pointing to how many fights he’s had. You have Mexicans with 40 pro fights before they reach the level of competition that Beterbiev has in 3-4 pro fights. You’re not making an argument with that, you’re simply undermining your credibility.
This makes absolutely no sense at all. It is never how many fights, it is always who have you fought.
Beterbiev easily destroys all the guys you’ve listed. It’s not really fair to compare eras in the first place.
I mean we only have to look at 5’8, 20 losses windmill flailing arm punches Greb to understand that comparing boxers from those eras to today is completely unfair. Gvozdyk absolutely destroys everyone here, never mind Beterbiev.
