Usyk Should Be Criticized For Fighting Wilder

Wilder is a never-was - even at his best, there's a strong argument he was a fringe contender level fighter at best.

It's an extremely underwhelming choice of fight for Usyk.

The pickings are slim, and there aren't really any legacy building fights available - but beating the most hyped guys in the moment would mean more than fighting the shadow of a hypejob.

 

Usyk and Wilder are a year apart. Usyk will be 39 in January. They are peers.

Deontay Wilder knocked out the WBA's #2 Heavyweight Robert Helenius in one round in 2022.

Deontay Wilder had right shoulder surgery after losing to Parker and Zhang. He won every round and scored two knockdowns in a dominant comeback fight against a journeyman last time out.

And, more importantly, as a former longtime WBC Champion, Wilder can request the WBC give him a title fight, even if he's not currently ranked.

The WBC's Kabayel has a fight lined up. The IBF is staging an eliminator. The WBO's Ituama isn't interested yet.

So, Usyk isn't putting anyone out.

And, Wilder was one of the best fighters of Usyk's era.

 

Wilder's been knocked out by two fighters in a nearly 50-fight career. Both were highly ranked and both had huge weight advantages over him. Nearly 70 pounds, in Zhang's case.

Usyk and Wilder will weigh roughly the same.

Also, styles make fights. Wilder doesn't get hit a lot (even when he loses) and has the perfect style to beat Usyk. His right hand is the perfect counter to Usyk's aggressive southpaw style. Wilder won't spend the whole time (or any time) trying to win a boxing match. He knows what he has to do. The question will be, can he do it?

Speaking of not taking a lot of punches, Wilder was unmarked after the Parker fight and mistakenly raised his hands thinking he'd done enough to win on points. Compare that to guys who fought Parker, like Wardley, who had the snot beaten out of him before Fabio managed to come back and get a controversial stoppage. Wilder doesn't get hit nearly as much as people imagine him getting hit. He stays out of range most of the time.

So, Usyk's going to have to be aggressive, and that plays into the only way Wilder can win.

When Ali took easy defenses, he fought Richard Dunn and Jean Pierre Coopman. When Frazier did, he fought Dave Zyglewicz. When Foreman did it, he fought Joe King Roman.

If Usyk's "easy" defense is against a comebacking former champ who made 10 successful heavyweight title defenses, that's another leg up for Usyk an the all-time list.

 

I said it before: i wouldnt be surprised not seeing Usyk back at all. I"d rather have him retire completely than to stay out looking for soft opposition. I was all up for a Wilder resurgence, with all his limitations still a funny character. Sad to see Wilder go out like this. Fury 3 was his retirement fight in hindsight.

 

Wardley was right there. The decision not to fight a guy like him is utterly baffling to me. Okay maybe he’s not interesting to Usyk, so what? He’s a prize fighter isn’t he, if you’re such a GOAT take that easy paycheck with 70%+ of the purse split.

 

Strange but true . And funny to read how creative some fanboys are in their illusions .

 

Usyk in his last 6 fights beat 3 top 5 heavyweights twice each. He's earned a bit of a breather. Usyk vs. Wilder is a better fight than Mayweather vs. Berto, or Fury and AJ against Ngannou.

Kabayel beat three giants that stood right in front of him and let him rip them to the body. Wardley has beat one fighter and was losing until he wasn't, not unlike Wilder. Dubois pulling out against Sanchez leads me to believe he and Wardley will fight next. Itauma shouldn't even fight for a title until the end of 2027.

 

I personally am not a fan of this fight but, Bah
Usyk is on his Canelo get money tour…
Next up Jake Paul.
Let him ride off into the sunset in a Bugatti - he’s earned it.

 

Horrible choice of opponent and any criticism recieved is well and truly justified.

Wilder is completely shot and an absolute cherry pick, and anyone who can't see that needs their eyes tested.

 

He’s pulling a Mayweather before he taps out

 

You don’t deserve a breather when you’ve only fought once this year for 5 rounds and hold the belts that everyone wants to get their hands on. Especially not against Deontay Wilder of all people.