Usyk is vacating all the belts!

We're talking about Denis Lebedev correct?

 

Yup.

 

Who are his best wins ?

 

His resume doesn't include Cunningham, Adamek, Hernandez or Drozd. Those were the consensus top guys pre Usyk.

And Lebedev didn't beat any of them

The Jones and Huck fights also certainly don't help his case

 

I've named them.

 

Don't have to. You don't have to beat everyone. In fact, it is not even possible in the four belt era.

 

Those guys were all regarded as better than Lebedev though whether you agree or not.

Also Lebedev officially lost to Huck. Regardless of what you feel about the decision

These all effect how he rates in his own era and not in a good way

 

Drozd and Hernandez are both a hard no. The careers were not nearly extensive enough.

Cunningham had good wins, but lost a lot.

Adamek probably would be one of the few, but Lebedev will still be one of the top ten, or at least 15, of the division.

 

Can you name them again or quote ? I think I missed them in the thread

 

James Toney
Roy Jones
Victor Ramirez
Enzo Macarrenelli
Alexsndr Alekseev
Elisio Castillo
Shawn Cox
Lateefe Kayode
Youri Kalenga

Most people thought he had the beating of Huck as well.

 

Toney and Roy were completely shot, hadn't won any recent big fights and were in their 40s, so the fact that they were arguably Lebedevs best wins is a terrible look.

Beisdes that none of these guys have good resumes. The fact you mentioned Shawn Cox is appalling. That dude is garbage and nowhere near world level. Macarrenelli became champ because Nelson retired, he didn't even win it properly again an elite talent. Is this his best prime opponent ? Decent but nothing special. I know you make a lot of Holmes comparisons but quite a few contenders Holmes beat were better than Lebedev.

Victor Ramirez could be his best prime opponent. And he was elevated to champion he didn't actually beat anyone world class for it. The guy he beat for the belt retired with more losses than wins.

This is an all time great to you ??? Lebedev is a reigning champion so good win. Great is a stretch, Lebedev aint anything close to breidis, who is a legit atg cruiserweight.

 

Toney was notcompeltely shot...look at boxrec leading up. And that win alone is a good start.

You can go with the minimizing all you want, but it is objectively one of the better cruiser records. Boxrec has him the #8 cruiser, for example. They have Usyk and Holy at heavy, but even add them back, Lebedev is still top ten.

 

Resume isn't the only factor in rating though. Usyk doesn't automatically rate below classical heavyweights with much deeper resumes who fought in eras where guys were more active and there was less ducking. You also have to look at dominance, consistency, longevity etc

I think you can make a case for Drozd based on having fewer losses despite his resume.

Cunningham has an argument because many of his losses were when he was past it and he has a similar resume.

So even prior to Usyk, Gassiev, and Breidis who all shared an era with him I would say Drozd, Cunningham and Adamek have a good argument for rating ahead of him. With maybe a case for Huck and Hernandez. Hernandez has some controversial decisions so that presumably hurts him

 

Yeah, sure. Resume not that important. Got it.

C'mon, man. He was a great cruiser. End of argument. Good luck to you.

 

He was never the consensus number one at cruiserweight.

That's a huge problem in my book and should be for anyone claiming he is great