What happened: Usyk badly faded or Rico much better than expected?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026.


Page 1 of 6
  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,783
    34,913
    Oct 12, 2010
    I’m sure none of us would have expected an outcome like this where Usyk was not only looking horrible but was arguably losing against a kickboxer with 0 boxing experience. What exactly happened in your view?

    Was it Usyk’s age showing and he’s far past it or is Rico a much better boxer than most gave him credit? I think it’s safe to say that some fighters who enter boxing from kickboxing are still able to transition well and become just as formidable. Give credit to Rico for being able to hold his own in a totally different sport than what he’s used to.
     
    Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026
    #1
    Overhand94 and Smoochie like this.
  2. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

    27,675
    46,494
    Mar 3, 2019
    Both for sure. Ricos Gameplan was excellent too.
     
    George Crowcroft, May 23, 2026
    George Crowcroft, May 23, 2026
    #2
    KernowWarrior, Flo_Raiden, DanielDimov and 11 others like this.
  3. TNSNO1878

    TNSNO1878 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,812
    3,464
    May 5, 2025
    Definitely a bit of both. Usyk needs to hang them up now, got nothing left to prove. That version of him tonight loses to Kabayel and probably Itauma; it was embarrassing.
     
    TNSNO1878, May 23, 2026
    TNSNO1878, May 23, 2026
    #3
    Overhand94, Smoochie, PopPellegrino and 5 others like this.
  4. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

    30,215
    16,277
    Dec 6, 2008
    Rico is 37 after a full kickboxing career where he's taken more damage than Usyk. No excuses.
     
    Babality, May 23, 2026
    Babality, May 23, 2026
    #4
    IshidaRyuken, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Overhand94 and 14 others like this.
  5. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

    2,277
    3,632
    Jun 30, 2021
    Rico was much better than 99.99 % predicted.

    This man essentially did what Dubois, AJ, and Fury couldn't do in accumatively 6 fights against him.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, May 23, 2026
    MixedMartialLaw, May 23, 2026
    #5
    Overhand94, Farl Crampton, Smoochie and 1 other person like this.
  6. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

    4,504
    6,929
    Jan 1, 2024
    Defo both.

    Usyk did look pretty poor and sluggish but Rico looked excellent.
     
    Ice8Cold, May 23, 2026
    Ice8Cold, May 23, 2026
    #6
    Overhand94, Farl Crampton, BubblesUK and 1 other person like this.
  7. CST80

    CST80 The Hesitant Nihilist Staff Member

    260,221
    264,253
    Nov 23, 2013
    Usyk didn't take him seriously and Rico is the Kickboxing GOAT for a reason. He's smart as **** and makes excellent adjustments, he knew pressure gives Usyk troubles and built his entire camp around it.
     
    CST80, May 23, 2026
    CST80, May 23, 2026
    #7
    KernowWarrior, Farl Crampton, Cobra33 and 2 others like this.
  8. miniq

    miniq FURY COMETH 2026 Full Member

    48,657
    28,733
    Oct 23, 2011
    Fury beat Usyk

    Peter Fury
    Hehe
     
    miniq, May 23, 2026
    miniq, May 23, 2026
    #8
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  9. Chuck Norris

    Chuck Norris Obsessed with Boxing

    27,911
    40,580
    Aug 31, 2016
    Usyk is totally shot. People are grossely overrating Rico's performance. His boxing was absolutely ****, garbage style.
     
    Chuck Norris, May 23, 2026
    Chuck Norris, May 23, 2026
    #9
    OldSchoolBoxing, lt. columbo, Cobra33 and 3 others like this.
  10. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,946
    12,303
    Jul 1, 2010
    Styles make fights

    Usyk probably has a strategy in mind and when Rico came out in that awkward stance with all the movement it probably threw Usyk off his game plan.

    Add in the size, strength and courage and Usyk had more in front of him than he anticipated.

    That said, Usyk is on the decline and isn't a big HW (small head, hands, wrists, narrow shoulders etc) and carrying that extra weight AND seeing a physical decline (metabolic) and it's obvious that he needs to retire sooner rather than later on his own terms before boxing retires him
     
    UniversalPart, May 23, 2026
    UniversalPart, May 23, 2026
    #10
    Csonnyliston, Overhand94, bjl12 and 6 others like this.
  11. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,946
    12,303
    Jul 1, 2010
    Usyk still has fluid hands but his footwork is not the same anymore.
     
    UniversalPart, May 23, 2026
    UniversalPart, May 23, 2026
    #11
    bjl12, Smoochie, Timur Attlee and 1 other person like this.
  12. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

    2,277
    3,632
    Jun 30, 2021
    Funny enough there is a debate in kickboxing circles as to whether Rico really is the KB GOAT due to his era not being the the strongest but I feel his performance now against Usyk, shows he could potentially beat anyone in history in a stand up fight given the night.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, May 23, 2026
    MixedMartialLaw, May 23, 2026
    #12
    DanielDimov, Smoochie, Finkel and 1 other person like this.
  13. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

    31,399
    42,227
    Jul 4, 2014
    Usyk has has 350 amateur fights. No way.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 23, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 23, 2026
    #13
    bjl12 and Timur Attlee like this.
  14. CST80

    CST80 The Hesitant Nihilist Staff Member

    260,221
    264,253
    Nov 23, 2013
    No... Rico crowded him and was throwing from all angles, didn't give Usyk a chance to think or adjust, because Rico was also constantly attempting something new. It threw him off his game.
     
    CST80, May 23, 2026
    CST80, May 23, 2026
    #14
    gollumsluvslave, Overhand94, rinsj and 2 others like this.
  15. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,783
    34,913
    Oct 12, 2010
    Just another example of kickboxers / Muay Thai fighters being capable of doing well in boxing. We’ve seen that happen before. Says a lot about how well they can adjust with not being allowed to kick or use elbows.

    Boxers will always have the advantage when it’s set in boxing rules but a boxer being put in an octagon or with kickboxing/Muay Thai rule will be a fish out of water. Can only imagine how it would be if Usyk went into a kickboxing match with Rico.
     
    Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026
    #15
    Overhand94, Smoochie, PopPellegrino and 1 other person like this.
Page 1 of 6