Let's not exaggerate things. You can't be the most dominant champ ever without a lot of depth, fighting a wide range of opponents and frequently defending your titles. Fury, Joshua and Dubois aren't exactly exceptional fighters. Fury was arguably coming off a loss to an MMA debutant and had spent years avoiding serious challenges barring Wilder. Fury's reusme is among the thinnest among any notable heavyweights. Joshua has never been the same fighter since his loss to Ruiz and even though he outpointed the overwieght Ruiz in the rematch, he has had virtually no notable wins since. The idea that going 6-0 vs these guys is some historical achievement implies that many others couldn't have done the same simply isn't true. Its a very good achievement. But Holyfield losing twice to a top 10 heavyweight of all time in Lewis doesn't make him less great than Usyk. Ali losing to a top 10-15 heavyweight all time in Frazier doesn't make him less. Do you really think Usyk would go unbeaten if he had to fight Holyfield's competition? or Ali's? And if he had to defend frequently and not just once a year? No.
The Joyce fight was not a pro fight. It doesn't count. Kabayel beat Chisora. And Kabayel would smash Rico. I am not saying Usyk is ducking Kabayel. But let's not act as if its such an easy fight. If it was that easy, he could get it out of the way easily.
Why did you tag all your butt-buddies? Usyk waited a year to fight the "killer" Rico Verhoeven, who had one boxing match, hadn't fought anyone at the top level of the sport, looks like a cartoon character when he boxes, and still, Usyk looked awful in the process of robbing him of the win. Sure, Kabayel struggled with Smakici three years ago, but he's improved a lot since then. Usyk had every opportunity to expose him if he was truly trash, but instead he avoided the fight. I guess even Usyk knows Kabayel would kick his ass now, which is why his entire four-fight plan (winner of Dubois vs. Wardley, Kabayel, etc.) mysteriously vanished. Now he's fighting Deontay Wilder instead. Usyk had a full year to face the consensus No. 1 contender, but instead of either fighting him or retiring, he held up the heavyweight division. Also, your last sentence is basically admitting that Usyk financially ducked Kaybel.
Nice fan fiction, but this argument needs a standing eight count. Usyk having one ugly night with Rico doesn’t magically turn Kabayel into a monster — it just gives Kabayel fans a tiny flashlight to search for hope in the basement. Usyk is Olympic gold, undisputed cruiserweight, undisputed heavyweight, 25-0, and a man who beat actual kings. Kabayel got promoted by sanctioning-body paperwork and still carries that Smakici knockdown receipt in his pocket. That’s not “Usyk ducking”; that’s a legend refusing to make his final dance a mandatory office meeting with gloves on. “Kabayel improved a lot” is cute, but improving from Smakici emergency mode doesn’t put you in Usyk’s tax bracket. Usyk’s résumé is gold medals, undisputed crowns, Fury, Joshua, Dubois, legacy fights, and history. Kabayel’s résumé is good momentum, a paper-belt upgrade, and a chin that once had to call tech support against Smakici. Plans changing in boxing doesn’t prove fear; it proves Usyk is choosing his exit like a king, not clocking in for WBC paperwork. Comparing Kabayel to Usyk is résumé laundering with a mouthguard. Kabayel doesn’t become elite because he survived Smakici and had a glow-up arc. He’s not Ali, he’s not Fury, and he’s not some monster under Usyk’s bed — he’s a mandatory email with body-shot highlights.
FTR Parkers last title fight was against AJ nearly 10 years ago, and he's from a nation far more remote than Kabayel. The others have definitely had far more chances though, I agree.
True, but i still think being an english native helped him a bit. He is known to be a nice guy for example. He can show his actual personality and be understood perfectly in interviews and Bring His points and personality across, furthering his standing. And he got many lucrative fights at least. Though i have to admit, that might be because he was a former champion, too - and the First one who didn't get knocked out by joshua i think.
Not by much. Parker took a lot of risks in his career and got the short end of the stick plenty of times as well. Even if we accept the argument he was sidelined (which I don't really) what stopped him in recent years from being more active?
Fury, Joshua and Dubois are all 2x titlists and there is a good chance all of them will be in the HoF. They are more exceptional than many fighters who upset top HW's in previous eras. Has anyone in boxing history gone 6-0 in 6 consecutive fights vs HoF's? And Usyk was the B-side in half or more of those fights, and many more in his career besides. At 39, Holyfield had 5 losses and 2 draws, including losses to J. Ruiz and Moorer. I don't believe he would run Usyk's gauntlet. https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...istory-to-run-usyks-pro-gauntlet-26-0.742318/