Oleksandr Usyk vs Larry Holmes primes

35 year old Norton is better than 36 year old Fury.

 

So much talk about Usyk being a dilemma for Holmes but i think Holmes is well suited personally. He's a long range specialist with plenty more wind than the giants, including Fury, and is plenty durable and fast. Lots of talk about Usyk nullifying his jab but Holmes had a superb right hand that doubt he'd increase his usage of in this one given they are a great punch against a southpaw. Talk of amateur losses is moot even if to a southpaw as Holmes was a pretty poorly physical specimen in the amateurs and also had a somewhat embarrassing loss to Duane Bobick there. The number or fighters who were average or worse in the ams but turned into elite pro's is endless.

I think Holmes would win a closely contested decision in a tough fight. If Usyk was negating Holmes boxing Holmes would up and ante and go after him more. Holmes wasn't at all afraid of putting it on the line to win and he'd have the great Eddie Futch in his corner as well which would be a great strategic plus against such a tricky foe.

 

36 year old Fury would destroy Norton easily. You're way overrating someone who officially only has 3 good wins total

 

Witherspoon ---> Joshua

35 year old Norton ---> 36 year old Fury

 

Really ? Compare the forms of both fighters coming into their respected fights and then get back to me.

 

Holmes also had a tendency to slow down and take several rounds to rest and recover when managing his energy, especially in longer fights, which Usyk would never let him do. Usyk's constant movement, feints, and high work rate would prevent Holmes from controlling the pace the way he did against some of his past opponents. Also, Holmes had a habit of getting hit with big shots from fighters worse than Usyk, especially when he got cocky, like against Snipes or Weaver. I don’t see why his defense would magically become flawless against someone as tricky and accurate as Usyk. A southpaw’s left hand is notoriously difficult to deal with, especially for someone without much experience against southpaws. You seem to be suggesting that Holmes has all the control in this fight, while Usyk will just let him dictate the pace—that’s not how Usyk fights at all.

 

Holmes also got stopped by Duane Bobick in the Amateurs obviously the version of Holmes as an Amateur is a far cry from the fine professional he become. And people using a loss to a Southpaw in the Amateurs as evidence that Holmes would struggle vs Usyk in his prime as a professional is laughable.

I like Usyk but some of his fans are intolerable to be quite honest.

 

Not really considering Witherspoon only had 15 fights, was an underdog, and arguably won while Joshua was the reigning champ, was the favorite, had a huge size advantage, and clearly lost.

As for Fury fight, Fury has shown a level that Norton never did and has more then 3 good wins at the weight as well as having a huge size advantage over Usyk that many thought Usyk would not be able to overcome preflight. Keep in mind my original point was that Holmes never fought someone on the level of Usyk just as Usyk has never fought someone in the level of Holmes.

 

Look at their overall careers lol Fury had a much better career overall and looked pretty good in the fight itself.

 

What has their overall career got to do with their recent form ? Which fighter was in better form coming into their respected fights vs Usyk and Holmes ?

Norton or Fury ? Simple question.

 

You mean Fury who LOST basically to an opponent who NEVER had a pro bout up until Fury?
You mean the same opponent who made Anthony Joshua look like Joe Louis ?

 

Yeah that would be the one that's a far cry from Norton's form who beat Jimmy Young, stopped undefeated Duane Bobick in 1 round, and most felt he beat Ali in their 3rd fight.

 

Could be, but not better than Joshua when Usyk fought him, which was my point.

 

The Witherspoon who fought Holmes would beat any version of Joshua he peaked vs Holmes.

And Usyk has never fought anyone on Holmes's level either I consider Joshua and a 36 year old Fury to be a level below a prime Holmes.

 

Witherspoon is a better H2H fighter than Joshua be honest the Witherspoon who peaked vs Holmes would you pick Joshua against him ? Honest answer.