Non biased opinion on Usyk/Rico

Why not?

 

I mean, fair enough taking on Semmy at 23 after having faced a guy like Kharitonov an hour before is the work of a crazy man.

 

You should watch some K1 you'll be impressed they were doing that stuff every year.

 

Rico fought a disciplined fight. But he looked so basic. Usyk just looked terrible.

 

Yeah, I was wondering if they were talking again, because apparently Tyson supplied some sparring for Rico.

 

Today was also the first time that I saw Usyk get hit where it felt like he might not just go down, but out. The fight just felt weird, and maybe it's the classic champion holding on to long story which seems to happen in 99% of combat sports. But Usyk looked more vulnerable than ever.

 

My non-biased opinion:

Usyk got old overnight, and Rico was very much underestimated. The ref robbed Usyk of the chance to score a legitimate KO, and robbed Rico of the chance to survive and win on the cards (if the judges weren’t crooked anyway).

Usyk is done at the highest level. No real shame, age takes us all, and tonight it took him. It doesn’t take away from what his career has been and how great he was, but he will never be that guy again.

Rico… ****, he now has a giant pile of money waiting if he wants it, because he can get some big fights. Another AJ defends the honor of boxing fight perhaps?

 

Same thoughts. He looked vulnerable. Like he was getting hurt and might actually be able to be straight up KOd.

 

I chose not to watch this and mocked the fight but im glad Rico put on a show. It makes boxing look kind of bad and hurts usyk reputation a little like fury

My guess is usyk didnt take this as seriously as a real fight and paid the price. I think Rico should have been given 60 seconds to revocer

 

I think the pressure of being touted as some sort of invincible boxing god just got to Usyk, combined with facing a determined powerhouse with nothing to lose. It's almost like momentum has nowhere to go but down, props to Usyk though as he still ground out the win. Not sure where he goes from here though, possibly time to retire. Rico fought an amazing fight all considered and should be very proud.

 

I didn't think Usyk expected to get tagged and roughed up as early as he did. That right hand at the start was a class punch and put Usyk on notice.

You could even see discomfort on his face throughout the fight which is something very rare for Usyk. Rico's gas tank is absolutely insane on top of that. He ultimately couldn't last but he put up a great effort.

As far as Usyk goes he had a hard time getting rhythm going as Rico used his size and strength to disrupt him, and had a sturdy enough chin to keep him in the fight. He pulled it out late and did what a great champion does by not giving up regardless what you think about the stoppage.

 

Rico didn’t get the memo he was supposed to lose. Instead he trained and sparred his ass off, clearly, and showed up to win. Absent crookery, he likely would have.

I do get why Usyk struggled. Rico was so… weird and awkward. Like someone showed a 6’5” chimp a bunch of videos of Chisora boxing and the chimp decided to put on some gloves and give it a go. Nothing he did seemed normal or the way boxers box. But damn, it was effective. I’d love to see him in a boxing ring again.

 

Usyk did not get old overnight. He fought an opponent who had the attributes and strategy to beat him. He bullied him, gave him angles and awkward movement he had never seen before plus being a huge battering ram who knew how to use his size unlike AJ and Fury. That is why longevity is so important at HW, almost every fight can be a big risk. That is why talk of ATG after 4 opponents was always ridiculous.