Tbh, the last thing I would say about Usyk is that his boxing is basic. His boxing is anything but basic, complex AF.
The king of textbook Queensbury boxing. In fact, I think he could be a time traveller and was actually the 'blue print' for the text book.
I came to say this. Zhang is pretty basic. But when both hands land like sledgehammers, does he need anything more than the basics and decent timing? The biggest thing he needs more of is stamina. If he had the gas tank of some of the other guys his size (Fury, Bakole, etc) he’d be way better off. But he doesn’t and he’s forced to be so measured and economical. serious question — why IS his stamina so bad? The single best training cost he could spend would be on a world class conditioning coach.
Bowe was considered a good boxer when he turned pro but he kinda changed when he found out that he had the power to blast people out. He took a lot more chances an were willing to trade more especially on the inside confident of his own power.
Because he is 280-290 lbs. He is 45 lbs heavier than peak Lennox Lewis despite being only 2 inches taller. He doesn't need a coach. He needs a diet. A 6'7 heavyweight should not weigh more than 260 lbs under any circumstances. The extra 25-30 lbs he is carrying make it physically impossible to have great endurance. Imagine if prime Ali weighed 240 lbs or Usyk weighed 240 lbs. Neither one would be the best of their era or even remotely close. Zhang, Bakole, Fury etc. have the same problem - they have bought into the myth of bigger = harder hitting, stronger and better. In reality, none of these guys should be above 260 lbs.
I don't think his punch selection is basic at all. Yes he primarily throws jabs straights and hooks because he fights at mid range. But he fights primarily at mid range right now at heavyweight because 1. it capitalizes on his biggest strengths over his current opps (coordination and footwork) and 2. it is less risky for him than to stay in the pocket because of heavy physical disadvantages. He showed remarkable punch variety in the amateurs and cruiserweight, and when he gets pushed (ie. Fury 1 AJ 2), he takes greater risks in pocket to get off uppercuts, combos, etc. He has multiple extra gears that his opponents rarely force him into.
I don't think it's that heavy considering his height. He does carry too much fat. He's not in shape. I've not been a boxer, but I was a powerlifter and in shape around 265lbs at 6'3'' (and I wasn't a particularly big guy whatsoever). If Zhang cut the fat he would be around 240lbs and in good shape by modern heavyweight standards. He's not particularly muscular but his skull has literally expanded over the years. Can someone say HGH?
How does it make him "basic", if his boxing is superb? You can't call a boxer who is amateur world champion, Olympic gold medalist, undisputed cruiserweight champion and undisputed heavyweight champion "basic".
I think some are taking the word “basic” to be derogatory, and others are not. To me, basic means there isn’t much flash or unconventional techniques or strategies being used. This is why I said Usyk, while acknowledging he’s the p4p best.
One name I haven't seen mentioned is Errol Spence Jr. Before he was dismantled by Crawford, Spence was always talked very highly of for his basic, no frills textbook approach.