Its both. They're desperate to get their own fighters over the line, and Johnny Nelson doesn't like the fact that someone from his weight class is far better than he ever was. He has a massive ego for someone who wasn't even a proper world champ.
On his best day Usyk wouldn’t be able to handle Johnny Nelson. Nelson was the greatest cruiser weight of all time.
Average is too harsh but comparing his boxing ability to real magicians is also off the mark. I think this quote best describes the situation.
I know what you mean a little bit He doesn't do anything that jumps out at you outside of conditioning but is good at everything
I think nelson explained that statement further at one point tbf. He wasnt saying usyk was an average fighter....but an average southpaw in that some fighters biggest strength is being southpaw. Hes saying a terrific fighter but the southpaw aspect of usyk is average as a strength as opposed to being one of his bigger strengths. Thats how he further explained it anyway but knowing nelson hes probably said a lot of other idiotic things. But i can kind of get his explanation. Usyks not getting his success down to being a great southpaw that leftys sometimes struggle with....its more all the other stuff that the success is down to.