Usyk against Wardley, Kabayel, or even Parker, still would make a lot more sense, but he looks at Wilder as unfinished business, since he said he wanted to fight Wilder when Fury was ducking, and Wilder took this as a sort of verbal agreement. And he is the last of the "three kings." Also, there is one world, there should be one world champion, one #1 contender, and no unifcations/reunifications/mandatory rematch clauses. Yes, Usyk owes Kabayel and Wardley shots...but he really shouldn't have to. In a just environment, Wardley OR Kabayel OR Dubois would have been #1 in July, and Usyk would be free to take this fight. I will watch it and enjoy it for what it is, and let's hope he fights someone better next. Wardley, Kabayel, or Parker.
It's a fight around 3 years too late for it to really be meaningful imo. It would be better if the division moved on.
I don't even know what there will be to enjoy except for an opportunity to watch Usyk is a one-sided fight (I'm probably overselling it by even using the word "fight" tbh) The thing is, Wilder lost every round against Parker - was completely devoid of ideas. The only thing that kept that fight interesting was him coming off the Helenius win and so he carried the threat of a KO against the run of play. He doesn't even have that going for him anymore. This will be a boring one sided bout
It makes sense if you’re Team Usyk, a high reward low risk fight.. But it makes absolutely no sense as a sporting contest. I frankly don’t even give Wilder a puncher’s chance, it is a complete mismatch
I think it would have been at Wilder's best, but he did get the shoulder surgery, and he is in a better place mentally, so I think it will be a bit better than....nah. Usyk's got this.
Nah. Fight makes zero sense. I do think back in 2019 or 2020, it would have made some sense. Wilder was a lot more willing to let go of his right hand than Joshua or Dubois, so it would have been super interesting to see Usyk deal with the lanky right handed fighter 6 years ago. I still think Usyk would have outboxed him but maybe Wilder could have scored a knockdown or made it interesting. Now? The second Wilder tries to fire anything, Usyk will hit him with a big left. Wilder will then become gun shy and struggle to pull the trigger.
In vaccum it makes sense. Its a fun little fight that will generate interest and allow Usyk to check a name off the bucket list. We aren't in a vaccum though and the HW division lies in ruins after a decade of the champs failing to fight many new contenders. Usyk should be fighting someone like Knyba.
A pointless fight, Wilder was schooled by Parker and brutally stopped by Zhang, and now he would go a few steps higher, Usyk will make fun of him...