James Ali Bashir claims Usyk would’ve beat Holyfield easy

He didn't beat Briedis at all - a draw fight, but a "slight" gift.

It's Bashir's opinion. He can be right, but is capable of being wrong, isn't he? He talks about how easily Usyk would beat Fury, but he simply seems biased, plus it's trendy to flatter Usyk. We will never know who would beat who.

 

James goes on and on about how experienced he is as a trainer. 50+ years in the business. And then he says Usyk spanks Holyfield ... because look at Holyfield against Chris Byrd.


Holyfield was in his 40s and tore his rotator cuff in at the start of the Byrd fight.

That's like saying Daniel Dubois destroys Muhammad Ali ... because look at Ali against Berbick.

Shouldn't a trainer in the sport for 50+ years know the difference between an injured (needed rotator cuff surgery afterward) and aged Holyfield in his 40s against Byrd and Toney ... and Holyfield as a cruiserweight in his 20s and when he was the heavyweight champion in his late 20s and early 30s?

I'm looking forward to the fight Saturday.

But his explanation for why Usyk would beat Holyfield was simply stupid.

 

Holyfield got stopped by a MW, so yeah, I'd say so. Usyk isn't just a fat MW.
Take Holyfield's roids away and Usyk would destroy him.

 

Holyfield fought two Southpaws when he was shot and over the age of 40 after alot of wear and tear.

The 1st loss to Moorer Holyfield was having well known health issues in the fight, and easily dispatched Moorer in the rematch knocking him down half a dozen times.

I'd like to see Usyk fight a prime Chris Byrd over the age of 40 after as many wars as Holyfield had and see how successful he is.

 

Holyfield did have a few problems with Moorer and Toney's speed. He was better dealing with the bigger behemoths. Good to see Ali Bashir in good health.

 

If Usyk is still fighting five years from now, and he has a torn rotator cuff on top of that, I'm sure the top heavyweights will be feasting on him.

That's why boxers shouldn't keep fighting past their sell-by date. The losses still count.

Holyfield didn't need the money. He was just chasing belts. Ego and pride can really bite you in the ass.

If Usyk never gets the WBC belt, years from now, he could also end up getting bashed around by people he had no business losing to in a vain attempt to somehow grab all the belts (like Evander did).

 

This.

Don't forget about his headbutts either. Evan Fields and the way of the third fist.

 

Holyfield admitted that southpaw boxers were a stylistic problem for him (before the Byrd fight he said he didn't want to fight him, after the Ibragimov fight he mentioned Sultan's style and regardless of the usual lame excuses he was 1-1 with vulnerable ex-LHW Moorer in his prime) and that Usyk would probably beat him "in his era". Steward claimed that Holyfield was "the most egotistical of all fighters" and Holyfield had stated he would "tear up Joe Louis" because the sport "moves on", so I don't think it's a Foreman-esque modesty thing.

I don't know what Bashir means by "easy". Is an 8-4 or 9-3 decision with zero scary moments (Holyfield's HW stoppage record prior to 40 was 12/27) easy? If so, it's entirely feasible that Usyk would win easily. It's also inherently unfair for Holyfield because Usyk has studied him from early on as a boxer. I don't think Hunter gave Usyk many problems: he started quickly, gassed, never had Usyk in any trouble, landed 59% as many punches according to Compubox, lost 9-3 in America, was counted in the 12th and would have been stopped anywhere else in the world.

 

50-50, but I'd favor Holyfield.

 

James has trained and worked with the best of the best. Wladimir, Emanuel Steward, Usyk himself, the list goes on and on. He knows what the **** he’s talking about.

Now EASY?? I don’t know. Holyfield was no joke and slick with the head butts. But I do envision Usyk out working him in the later rounds after decoding him midway through and winning a 116-112 type of fight.

And this is an in shape and motivated Holyfield I’m talking about. The one that came to win. The one that fought valiantly against Ibragimov, Beat Tyson, Beat Bowe, Almost beat Lewis in the rematch… THAT Holyfield. Not the overconfident and unmotivated one that showed up often. The unmotivated Holyfield gets stopped much like in the Toney fight.

 

Well, John Ruiz beat Holy twice and Toney KO’d him so I assume it’s possible.