This is a past his prime Usyk...can you imagine if he was in his 20s/early 30s?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by SergioJ91, Dec 21, 2024.

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  1. SergioJ91

    SergioJ91 Active Member Full Member

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    He would be even more unstoppable...A prime Usyk could beat any heavyweight in history. Great chin, great stamina, great speed, great punching accuracy, great foot movement, great defense, is clutch in the late rounds...What a fighter!
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2024
    SergioJ91, Dec 21, 2024
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  2. FastSmith7

    FastSmith7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I feel Usyk was as good as he’s ever been tonight.

    This and the first AJ fight were for me the best versions of Usyk
     
    FastSmith7, Dec 21, 2024
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  3. 941Jeremy

    941Jeremy Active Member Full Member

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    Not a chance. Cruiserweight Usyk was far more dynamic and twitchy.
     
    941Jeremy, Dec 21, 2024
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  4. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I honestly think that just like Ali, who, not coincidentally, shares his exact height and wing-span, he has found a second prime after some of his speed left him by filling out and becoming more rugged.
     
    catchwtboxing, Dec 21, 2024
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  5. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    This is what I keep telling them. I've been watching Usyk for 17 years and I know how good he was in the amateurs, WSB, during his early pro fights, his CW reign, the first half of his fights at HW, and the second half.

    The first time I saw Usyk was in the 2008 Beijing Olympics vs the home representative and it was a great introduction to him because he was in a flow state, throwing every punch in the book, showboating, and having fun hitting his opponent at will. I recorded it on VHS but I lost the tape years ago.

    Go watch the WSB Usyk. Then compare him to the Usyk of his first 9 pro fights. Then during his CW title reign. He looks noticeably different during each of those stages of his career and the CW Usyk was so much better than the HW version. He was much faster, more fluid, accurate with razor sharp reflexes and reaction times. That added weight really detracts from him in numerous different ways and age has obviously taken its toll too.

    He used to be a 207-211lb mongoose/Loma hybrid and certain punches have disappeared from his arsenal. He used to throw these scything uppercuts during his first 9 pro fights

    Don't forget he's had a lot of different head trainers for someone of 23 fights
     
    Serge, Dec 21, 2024
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  6. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    We don't have to imagine; we saw 32-year-old Usyk against Chazz Witherspoon :boxing1
     
    Finkel, Dec 21, 2024
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  7. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold Hype Jobs will be hype jobs until proven so. Full Member

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    I remember you pointing this out some months ago and you were spot on.

    I'd say that Usyk actually learnt a lot from the Chisora fight as that was his first serious HW fight which Chisora gave Usyk a good fight and Usyk was very unhappy with his performance.

    I really hope Usyk stays around, but I also really don't blame him if he hangs it up as he has been around for a while and may want to spend more time with his family. He should be unbelievably proud of his achievements and so his father would be, not just as a fighter but also as a man.
     
    Ice8Cold, Dec 21, 2024
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  8. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think you're getting a little carried away now.
     
    Kiwi Casual, Dec 21, 2024
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  9. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Exactly correct!
     
    AwardedSteak863, Dec 21, 2024
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  10. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

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    Fury is more.past it.
     
    Babality, Dec 21, 2024
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  11. Overseas

    Overseas Member of the Intelligentsia Full Member

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    Usyk was definitely faster, twitchier and sharper in his cruiserweight days, but I think he’s smarter and has a significantly more well rounded game and punches. I thought he lacked a world class right hook until the Fury fight and I remember he was practicing it extensively for the Dubois bout.

    Not sure which version is better but what a legendary fighter
     
    Overseas, Dec 21, 2024
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  12. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He said he's got more fights in him. At heavy or cruiser...that is the question.
     
    catchwtboxing, Dec 21, 2024
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  13. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Thanks, yeah I've been saying this for a long time. Usyk was much better in many ways when he was younger

    Yeah, people forget that Chisora was essentially Usyk's official real fight at HW since he moved up from CW because late notice sub Witherspoon only turned up to shell up and survive

    Chisora is a horrible introduction to HW boxing for your first real fight at HW as a pro. There's a reason why Belly, J-Park, and Whyte needed two attempts to do a much better job on him than the first time albeit he was beating Whyte's ass prior to the stoppage in the rematch

    And Chisora trained the best part of a year to prepare for Usyk and it was a shoebox sized ring too

    Totally agree. He's clocked the game twice over, won everything there was to win, and he's earned crazy money vs AJ and Belly and it's been a ridiculous amount in his last two fights. And he's 38 y/o in a couple of weeks and he's been past his best for years
     
    Serge, Dec 22, 2024
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  14. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    But isn't it normal that you're faster and sharper when you're 30 lbs lighter?
     
    OldSchoolBoxing, Dec 22, 2024
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  15. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It should be taken into account that even Fury is no longer at his peak, the fight was good, but that's not it anymore...
     
    CroBox29, Dec 22, 2024
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