In all of boxing history? Are there any 220lb heavies that had the same level of work rate as usyk does. Or is he really one of a kind in that regard?
Starting strong and finishing like that after 12 rounds ? I have not seen somebody in CW, HW or even LHW to do so. Maybe I need to watch more boxing or there is nobody that was/is doing same This content is protected
Ike and David Tua have both got better stamina than Uysk. Ike and David Tua fight had the highest punch output of any heavyweight fight in history.
Probably the "scariest" thing about Usyk's stamina in the later rounds is it's usually in spite of whatever bodywork he has absorbed. Now whilst AJ didn't do enough of it, he dig get through with a handful of meaty body uppercuts in the mid-rounds that I really thought would slow Usyk down a bit, but he still finished very strong. The only other fighter I can think of in recent times that has that kind of engine and volume of punches into the championship rounds is Joe Calzaghe - unless you go below 147 down to the real small guys. That kind of conditioning and engine is really exceptional.
I think Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield off the top of my head seemed to box at a faster pace and did it over 15 but yes he's up there.
David Tua was a plodder. Yes, he threw a lot of punches against Ibeabuchi, but that's easier to do when you're not moving your feet, your waist and your head. Usyk was agile the entire bout. Bobbing from side to side. Explosive pivoting for 12 rounds. Bending at the waist. Head darting all over the place. Moving in and out of range. All this while landing the jab to head and body consistently as the smaller man. All of this saps the energy. David Tua wouldn't be able to last a single round at the frenetic pace Usyk set. Look at Tua vs Lewis and the intensity demonstrated in that one. Pure plodder.
His lateral movement and workrate slowed a lot mid fight one of the biggest weakness of most of these heavies is their stamina Fury, Joyce, Usyk & Wilder are exceptions.
Usyk said in camp he is always sparing 15 round with 4 minute rounds. He is a teal throwback with 15 round top notch stamina, toughness and confidence. All his worldchampion fights on the road in the opponents hometown
He expends a ton of energy in there and keeps going. Doesn’t waste a lot throwing big punches so he’s efficient but he surprised me with his 12th round energy in this fight. Still looked sharp as AJ began to fade badly. One big left and I think AJ was going to sleep at the end. He had nothing left. Great fight, very smart and disciplined performance by Usyk.
He might throw slightly less than classic style plodders like Tua, but he's so active with his head, upper body, and feet. Usyk's combined output for DEFENSE and offense is unprecedented.