Rewatched Usyk vs Rico

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by ellerbe, May 24, 2026.


  1. TowelThrower

    TowelThrower Y'all must've forgot Full Member

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    It’s still an early stoppage no matter if it’s ran in reverse or five times the speed, it isn’t the worst but it’s not an agreeable stoppage by the majority of fans I’ve seen opinions of. It’s up for debate. This guy thinks because he’s Dutch he must be Van Hoeven, I learned how to spell his name as soon as the fight started out of respect. Unless there’s some nickname he has called Van that I don’t know about.
     
  2. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    I rewatched the highlights and it wasn't as bad as I first thought, or what the casual fans and the media are claiming.

    Usyk definitely underperformed, and should probably retire, but a lot of the punches Rico landed on Usyk weren't as clean as they looked live.

    Usyk also rocked Rico in the 4th round with an uppercut and some punches, but just stepped off the gas instead of chasing a KO.

    Overall the uppercuts Usyk landed were pretty elegant, I must say.

    But yes, it was a disappointing performance.
     
  3. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    Usyk's footwork was really poor, but his hands still looked pretty fast. Usyk should've just chased the KO instead of stepping off the gas in the 4th.

    It's crazy how all the Usyk haters are now crawling out of their hibernating dens to denigrate Usyk and his achievements... Even pundits, coaches and "experts" are revealing their secret hatred for him.

    Hilarious.
     
    Cyrion likes this.
  4. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I could see Rico taking out Dubios in short order. If h can disrupt Usyk's rhythm, God knows what he'll manage against the others.

    Peter Fury is no slouch either, and the worst thing Fury ever did was drop him as a trainer and this is exactly why.
     
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  5. tarrant45

    tarrant45 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Didn't Fury get condemned the same way? You don't think anyone else would get bashed for getting outboxed by a rookie kickboxer for 10 rounds? Usyk fans really think their king is untouchable. Newsflash. Any fighter in his position would be denigrated and should be.
     
  6. TowelThrower

    TowelThrower Y'all must've forgot Full Member

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    I find the outpouring of gleeful hatred bizarre it reminds me of people on here waiting desperate for the great Floyd or Manny to struggle and it would end up threads like COMPLETELY EXPOSED MAYFEATHER / PACROID back and forth :lol: if you simplify it to a kindergarten level of understanding its Usyk did bad against a kickboxing bum. But that isn’t logical whatsoever considering his credentials and resume. So you look deeper into it to try to understand the different factors. It was a highly skillful contest and fascinating and we were all much more entertained by the two men than most of us anticipated, so if anything we should applaud them both.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2026
  7. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    No. Keep Rico away from powerpunchers. Keep in mind he's also 37 and has taken a lot of punishment through his career in kickboxing.

    If he gets a rematch vs Usyk he should take that and retire too.

    Rico also absorbed some BIG uppercuts yesterday apart from the one that dropped him. Even a rematch vs Usyk could be very dangerous for his health
     
    Samart'sTeep likes this.
  8. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No, put Rico in there with power punchers. Based on the Usyk fight Rico should be able to operate at the highest level and should be able to outbox and out think anyone not named Usyk right ?

    Usyk is the best heavyweight on the world.

    If Rico could break his rhythm then he'd be able to hold his own against any other heavyweights.....Right ?
     
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  9. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Could be and no one can write off his chances anymore

    Peter Fury is an excellent trainer and I've watched lots of his interviews over the years
     
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  10. bandeedo

    bandeedo Loyal Member Full Member

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    truble is, even if usyk took him lightly and didnt study film or go balls to the wall in training, he still should not have struggled with this guy like he did. yes he was awkward and game, but he wasnt doing anything out of this world. nothing the p4p #1 shouldnt be able to deal with in short order. all the excuses can account for some it, but not all of it, its still a poor performance for a guy with his credentials. it looks bad no matter how you slice it.
     
  11. tarrant45

    tarrant45 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    No No No. Styles make fights. I bet you thought the same with Ngannou. Unlikely Rico's style works against power punches who know his game.
     
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  12. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Okay, put Rico in there with Justis Huni, how do you see that fight playing out ?
     
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  13. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    I personally don't want to see a potential repeat of AJ-Ngannou, but if there's an appetite for it, why not? But on the other hand, Rico is a better boxer than Ngannou...

    Usyk is not a powerpuncher per se, but he landed some decent uppercuts and stuff that rocked Rico.

    Rico is also 37 and has taken way more punishment than Ngannou throughout his career. Could be dangerous to chuck him in with more boxers.
     
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  14. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It's heavyweight, and Usyk clearly has a lot more power today than he did at cruiserweight off the back of the Dubios KO.

    Dubios may hit hard, but that only matters if he can land it. If Rico had Usyk confused, Dubios is royally stuffed.
     
  15. tarrant45

    tarrant45 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    No idea. I would pick AJ to probably stop him though.