Does Usyk's last performance affects his ranking on an ATG heavyweights list?

Lol. They aren't. Rankings are a projection. Results are what matter.

 

I am not saying that it is not part of it and he couldn't do better, but obviously at 39, there is a strong element of getting old. That is a very old fighter, especially for a heavyweight that isn't that big.

There was a plethora of things that contributed, and it is worth noting again that I was one of the first to say that I was one of the very few who told everyone it was going to be a tough fight. But he is feeling his age now, and not hiding it.

 

Douglas I agree because he had some very real natural physical advantages over Tyson. Spinks...well...he put on 14 pounds and still walked in under 200. The natural size gradient went the opposite way.

 

It's not about professional career. Taking damage is taking damage. The amateur/pro thing is a false dichotomy.

He's had about as many fights as Rico has had rounds- he's taken more shots.

 

He won a title in the Three Kings/Usyk era and had some big fights, so I'll leave it at that.

 

Being in hard fights obviously has a major significance in how a fighter ages ?

Rico has been in wars where he's been bloodied bruised and floored multiple times that would obviously have an effect on him in his late 30s.

You can't use the aging excuse for 1 fighter when the other fighter in question is of a similar age. And has had a very tough professional career with alot wear and tear also.

 

No one was saying this after the 2nd Dubois fight though.

Yes obviously people will notice that Usyk has slowed down obviously father time is undefeated.

But there was no evidence prior to the Rico fight that Usyk would look so poor in that fight.

I don't think Usyk is washed up far from it he simply underestimated his opponent and came in too heavy and was sluggish.

And he was also probably a bit surprised by Rico's unorthodox boxing style.

Look at Fury for example he looked bad vs Ngannou and everyone thought he was finished.

But then Fury gets himself in shape and puts on a very good performance against Usyk.

I feel like if they ever had a rematch and Usyk loses about 8-10 pounds he would do a number on Rico much more convincingly.

 

Let's just agree to disagree that sometimes looking at things with hindsight that people can be wrong at that time.

Obviously Spinks with hindsight was a credible Heavyweight and much more of a threat than people realised.

Whether or not Holmes thought the same probably not but again he underestimated Spinks and it comeback to bite him in the you know what.

Usyk also underestimated Rico but thankfully for him he found the stoppage to rescue the situation.