Describe A Usyk Vs Tim Witherspoon Fight?

Usyk wins nine rounds due to Witherspoon's low output but a couple of times in the fight Tim land's his big southpaw-killing right hand clean, causing the usual suspects to declare that it was an either-way fight.

 

Again, he just doesn't have the workrate. When everyone was telling me that Usyk couldn't overcome Fury's size, I told everyone the the fight was going to be about Fury not overcoming Usyk's workrate. He's good for 12, and if fights were still 15 or 20, he'd be good for that, too.

Have you see Witherpoon's fight with Tubbs? No way he beats Usyk. None.

Also, which Witherspoon are you talking about? Yes, every now and again he got it together to have an impressive fight. Most of the time he stunk out the place.

 

I think Usyk is too fast, too mobile, Witherspoon hasn't quite got the speed or workrate to beat Usyk.

Witherspoon would have his moments and Usyk would be in a tough fight but I predict Usyk by decision something like 8-4 maybe 7-5 depending on the judges.

 

It's very interesting what guard would Witherspoon use. Crossguard is very tricky in an open stance.

 

It's an interesting fight. I'd like to see how a boxer like Usyk would react to someone of Witherspoon's caliber. But, if there's a bet involved, I'm stacking on Terrible Tim, because I've not seen Usyk in with anyone who resembles Witherspoon or even that level of fighter before. Joshua and Fury (the version Usyk fought) don't quite cut it alongside the prime, raw talent of a Tim Witherspoon, in my opinion.

I think an on song Witherspoon and his approach to fights brings together a number of aspects that Usyk would find uncomfortable. This is to suggest that Witherspoon's combination of aggression, durability, pressure, speed, power, variety and accuracy would be something not yet seen by Usyk in his career to date.

I don't envisage Usyk being able to consistently avoid the right hand. It's going to land and, if it doesn't take him out, it's taking the starch out of him. And Tim likes going for the body too (more starch littering the canvas).

Usyk has proven a level of durability in periods of his bouts, of course, but I've not seen him under any sustained pressure before - not, at least, from someone who can deliver hard, fast and accurate punches - and I feel certain Witherspoon would bring that type of pressure and hurt Usyk in the process.

Can Usyk hurt Witherspoon in return? I'm not sure he'd catch him all that often and whether there'd be enough to deter Tim, as and when Usyk did connect. I'd be prepared to gamble on that not being the case.

Usyk might find a formula, to clearly outpoint Witherspoon. However, again, I don't like those odds. Tim is quite a defensively-minded boxer. I don't believe Usyk could find him as easily as he did Joshua and Fury.

All in all, I'd predict a long night in what might ostensibly look like a close bout over the distance, but what is in reality a sternly challenging outing for Usyk, with there being the potential for him to suffer a stoppage loss. That said...

...Witherspoon W UD (comfortable)

 

Usyk wins a clear decision with Witherspoon having some moments of success but not having the workrate to really win a decision. As much as old school posters like to glaze him Witherspoon is just not consistent enough as a fighter to beat someone on Usyk's caliber as well as not having a lot of experience fighting southpaws and having a style that would be more susceptible to a southpaw so I don't really think he has what it takes to beat Usyk.

 

Usyk by a hard fought decision, 8-4 type. Too much movement, skill and work rate. Witherspoon, will however, have success with his big overhand right hand which is a nightmare punch for even a skilled southpaw to defend against. Expect Usyk to get staggered a few times.

Usyk close UD 12.

 

I don't necessarily disagree BUT someone like Bredis, despite being a cruiser, is comparable to Witherspoon in terms of power, durability and pressure. Witherspoon, if of course taller with a better jab and a more tricky cross armed defense but nonetheless. We can't overlook Usyk's cruiserweight career here either given that Witherspoon is a similar size to some of Usyk's cruiserweight opponents.

 

The comparison with Briedis is interesting, particularly in how he was able to apply pressure effectively, even against someone as skilled as Usyk. However, it's worth noting that Briedis's pressure, while impressive, invited risk that was mitigated almost entirely by his durability and willingness to engage in open exchanges. Against Usyk, he managed to sustain this pressure with relative impunity on the physical front, but it cost him in terms of rounds. So, his style doesn't fully equate to what Witherspoon brought to the table.

Witherspoon's pressure was fundamentally different. It was more intelligent and defensively responsible, utilizing his cross-armed defense to mitigate damage while maintaining a constant threat and picking his shots. He applied pressure in a way that disrupted his opponents' rhythm without exposing himself unnecessarily, and he did so against naturally bigger and heavier fighters. This more nuanced approach, combined with his power and variety, makes Witherspoon's style significantly more challenging than what Briedis brought against Usyk, in my opinion.

Also, on the point about power, I don't think Witherspoon and Briedis are truly comparable. Witherspoon was a legitimate heavyweight who, from 1983 to 1996, averaged around 228 (in fact, he probably averaged this weight throughout his whole career). That's a weight to which I doubt many, if any, modern cruiserweights rehydrate, after making 200. Witherspoon also faced men much heavier than himself and consistently carried fight-changing power that kept his top-end opponents honest, during that time. He was also demonstrably capable of troubling and stopping naturally larger opponents.

While Briedis possesses respectable power for a cruiserweight and has demonstrated his ability to hurt and stop opponents in that division, his power hasn't been tested or proven against heavyweight opposition of the caliber Witherspoon faced. Witherspoon's ability to deliver concussive punches, particularly with his overhand right, against heavyweights in the 220–260 lbs range, sets his power apart.

In short, while Briedis's power is effective within the cruiserweight division, it doesn't translate to the same degree of danger that Witherspoon posed in the heavyweight ranks. Comparing the two in this regard overlooks the significant difference in their weight classes and the quality of opposition they've faced.

 

Interesting fight Ferg.

In broad terms, I’m of the opinion that Usyk would likely outwork Tim but over the course of a very competitive fight.

I don’t think Holmes win over Tim was controversial, close but clear, but I do think Tim could’ve pushed himself more over the later rounds - too much over confidence and showboating for mine.

So what I’m saying is that Tim’s work rate in that fight was actually good for a number of rounds but then he kinda dropped tools in deference to showboating - meanwhile, Larry was still knocking up the points - very workman like and not as eye catching as Tim’s best moments but going the hard yards all the same.

Even if Tim maintained the work rate and beat Holmes, I’m still not so sure that the work rate of the extrapolated version of Tim would necessarily eclipse the work rate that Usyk would bring to the table -

But power is an interesting unknown variable in so far as not knowing exactly how well Usyk would take Tim’s shots - because Tim could punch - though, to date, Usyk has proven himself to be in possession of a very sturdy set of whiskers.

 

That wasn’t Witherspoon proving greatness (as the rest of his career bore out). That was Holmes proving he’s over-rated.

Usyk would win this fight & Id make him a marginal favourite over Holmes, too.