Are there any areas where you would acknowledge that Usyk has an advantage over Ali as a HW?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MixedMartialLaw, Aug 22, 2026 at 12:27 PM.


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  1. Joeywill

    Joeywill Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Cutting the ring off, body punching, inside fighting, coming forward. Chin probably similar
     
    Joeywill, Aug 25, 2026 at 8:21 AM
    Joeywill, Aug 25, 2026 at 8:21 AM
    #76
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  2. MismatchHypejob

    MismatchHypejob Active Member Full Member

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    Ali didn't fight boxers who outweighed/sized him (Ernie Terrel was taller but was historically <200lbs). Usyk is beating guys that have 10-50lbs on him. This is something many gloss over but beating people with a size advantage is difficult. They can take your punches better, and easily hurt you by just landing once
     
    MismatchHypejob, Aug 25, 2026 at 8:37 AM
    MismatchHypejob, Aug 25, 2026 at 8:37 AM
    #77
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  3. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Vargas was not an elite fighter Full Member

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    He got caught a lot in his rematch vs AJ and got badly hurt in the later rounds.
     
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:52 AM
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:52 AM
    #78
  4. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Vargas was not an elite fighter Full Member

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    Usyk's head movement is poor.
     
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:53 AM
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:53 AM
    #79
  5. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Vargas was not an elite fighter Full Member

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    Usyk is a lot better than Norton was and has a much better chin than Norton did.
     
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:54 AM
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 11:54 AM
    #80
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  6. brb

    brb Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What you are saying doesn't make sense. How can Usyk (who is an average sized HW) not have elite defense? He's fought several fights where he is the smaller man in terms of both reach and height. Does he get tagged once in a while - yes, but more often than not he is evading punches whether it be: parry, block or eluding them all together.
     
    brb, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:13 PM
    brb, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:13 PM
    #81
  7. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Vargas was not an elite fighter Full Member

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    I think his constantly probing lead hand and workrate keep bigger fighters off balance, his offense is better than his defense and his power is underated, plus he has a good chin.
     
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:16 PM
    Mark Anthony, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:16 PM
    #82
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  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Don't agree. He's no Benitez and mostly relies on his feet and high guard, but there are some subtle slips and pulls there as well. But what I said is that it is more text book than Ali's and I don't see how you can disagree with that.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:53 PM
    Bokaj, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:53 PM
    #83
  9. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Don't think anyone disagrees with that. But the same can be said of Ali, and Norton was still a nightmare for him. Holmes also had a hard time with him. Styles and all that, you know.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:56 PM
    Bokaj, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:56 PM
    #84
  10. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Mike Tyson had been stopped x 6 before his 39th birthday, including pulling a no mas against the biggest fighter he ever fought who as Rico did vs Usyk used his massive size, weight and strength advantage with lots of clinching, mauling and leaning on to try and nullify, frustrate, demoralize and tire Mike out and it worked because mental midget Mike pulled a no mas and quit like a female dog on his stool.

    But Mike had 58 pro fights though. Yeah, at least 20 of them vs bums with 33 of them ending within 3 rounds, 30 within 2 rounds, and 22-23 inside a round, and most of his opponents were beaten before they climbed in the ring.

    But obviously Rico fighting murderous punching HWs and giant SHWs sized huge punching HWs his size is a very different proposition to him fighting blown up CWs like Usyk who looked like a different species compared to him such was the huge size and natural size disparity between them.
     
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 5:37 PM
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 5:37 PM
    #85
  11. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Huh? He utilizes virtually every defensive technique in the book and I mean legal and manly ones not hiding behind a long jab vs opponents you're often much bigger than, potshoting throwing 5 punches a round, running around the ring in mortal fear of getting clipped by the wind of a punch and then grabbing a hold like a lonely octopus everytime your opponent manages to track you down and close the distance like the modern American slicksters do.

    That's what they consider elite defence over there and sublime slickness. What Usyk and Loma do is much more impressive, skilful, risky and more difficult
     
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
    #86
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  12. El'Ice

    El'Ice An old pal. Full Member

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    You're forgetting that MA at 39 had ALOT way more mileage and wear & tear than 39yo Usyk.
     
    El'Ice, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
    El'Ice, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
    #87
  13. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    To be fair, I've only seen it once and The Shining many times so that coupled with my admitted bias against modern movies prevents me from being able to evaluate it fairly and accurately.

    A bit like all these Classic posers and boxing nostalgists when it comes to Usyk and certain other modern fighters

    Yeah, Rose the Hat is a great character and Rebecca Ferguson was great in it
     
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
    Serge, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
    #88
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  14. Cojimar 1946

    Cojimar 1946 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Usyks was far more professional than Ali and generally showed up in great shape

    Prior to his last few fights you never saw him out of shape
     
    Cojimar 1946, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:49 PM
    Cojimar 1946, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:49 PM
    #89
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  15. bjl12

    bjl12 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ali has 5, maybe 10, better wins than Usyk's best opponent. Its apples and oranges.
     
    bjl12, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:57 PM
    bjl12, Aug 25, 2026 at 6:57 PM
    #90
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