First off, this fight NEEDS to happen to see who the true No.2 CW is. 1) Who would win out of these two if they met? 2) Who do you rate as the No.2 CW?
1) Briedis 2) Briedis, considering he gave Usyk a hell of a fight. I was thinking of starting a thread, and think this probably leaves an opening for a bit of discussion - where does Mike Perez fit in the scheme of things? I actually wouldn't mind seeing him versus Gassiev.
Should have had Dorticos/Briedis last night, and the winner faces the loser of last nights fight to determine a solid top 3.
Interesting, when I saw your title I wondered if you were asking "who is the greater fighter of the pair" or "whose performance against Usyk was more respectable" - and instead you had two questions completely distinct from the ones I was expecting. All four valid questions, btw.
Really don't know. Gassiev has shown he can be troubled by movers to one degree or another in the Lebedev, Thomas, and Usyk fights while Briedis has shown he can be troubled by guys who crowd him in the Durodola and Usyk fights. Can't say for sure who would dictate the ring generalship but that fight needs to happen. I also think Glowacki has been unfairly forgotten due to his lack of inclusion in the tourney (he wanted to be in) and Vlasov is a charging dark horse who just needs his shot. I don't know who comes out on top in that foursome.
The one thing I do know is that if these guys fought, and Głowacki and Vlasov also fought, and the winners of those matches fought - that would (aside from being AMAZING for us fans in terms of entertainment) not only produce the clear heir to Usyk's throne but that person might actually be nosing in on the all time 2nd (or worst case 3rd) best record at cruiser.