Gassiev was a nasty hard hitting body puncher but he was faster and more defensively responsible. Kabayel throws better combos to the body though.
Kabayels biggest challenge if he fights Uysk is actually getting in to a position to land those body shots If somehow he does though it's a very interesting fight
I see where you're coming from, but gassiev is a bit extreme. We saw it again with gassiev vs pulev. To me he almost puts no pressure on his opponent. Very little pushing forward. He waits for the right shots to present themselves. At least it seemed to me like that. Kabayel pressures a lot more and moves forward. And let's not forget he is quite a lot heavier than gassiev. I also don't see him putting usyk in a corner or outjabbing him. Also usyk's engine will hardly become a matter in the fight. So i don't see kabayel winning unless usyk has grown old (again the same only hope for his opponents). But gassiev is a bit harsh. Also kabayel deserves the shot. He and wardley do. Even though the ko against parker while behind on the cards was worse than the one against knyba. Parker was an extremele experienced former world champion and was stopped because of exhaustion and a lot of missing shots that were way weaker than at the beginning. At least knyba wasn't that at all. Also it seemed like he was pressures by the homecoming. He said so himself. I wouldn't take too much about 'defensive responsibility' from the first round against knyba. He adjusted and it was fine. And he didn't seem to irresponsible against zhang. Or makhmudov.
I don't agree. Kabayel is more of a pressure fighter and a much more active fighter. He throws alot more punches and invests alot more to the body in which Usyk can be a bit vulnerable to. Pressure fighters like Briedis, Chisora, troubled Usyk and that is the way to beat him not give Usyk time and space. Would I make Kabayel the favourite ? Of course not Usyk would still be a big favourite. But out of all the Heavyweights right now Kabayel is probably the Heavyweight on paper who gives Usyk the most problems stylistically.
I'm heavily doubting Usyk v Kabayel will happen. Usyk is talking about Wilder and some other washed-up Americans. I suspect he will fight Jake Paul when Paul's jaw mends. Usyk is 39 next week and he's looking for easy money, and maybe he's moving to the USA permanently. Agit Kabayel has been unlucky, some of it might be his own fault. He's been a professional for 15 years, he's undefeated, but he hasn't been very active. He might be passing his peak too, and it's a shame he hasn't had the really big fights yet. Maybe he and Wardley will fight.
Kabayel is pretty static which is Usyk's major advantage over every heavyweight and Usyk's second major advantage is his stamina... I'd expect Usyk to beat him. Fury of old would beat Kabayel quite easily also...although think Fury has slid a bit too far now could be a bad fight for him. If Fury thinks he can do it he'll fight and beat Kabayel, atleast he'd get credit for it now...
He used to put more pressure in the cruiserweight days. Injuries and added weight have slowed him. Also, I think he still psychologically fears being injured and fights in second gear. Still, he's going to have a few more good heavyweight wins before he's done.
Fully agree He has a very limited back foot game and was at his best when pushing forward Take that away and he is quite limited Kabayel has a better all round game though and can box both ways so will spend time trying to figure out a way inside Gassivev unfortunately didn't have it in him
Usyk is getting quite old. I get that heavies age slower but 38+ is retirement age for boxers, even great boxers.
Wilder, Wardley, Kabayel and retirement no one can argue with his run. I think he'll be unequaled for a long time.
If Usyk fights Kabayel and outboxes him comfortably, as I expect he would, the same crowd that insists the Ukrainian is ducking Kabayel will dismiss the win and claim the challenger was a hype job/overrated.