Harder puncher: Gassiev or Briedis?

Great, let me know when he jumps up to Cruiser.

 

Meh. You think it would carry up 25lb enough to be comparable with Gassiev's? Or even Briedis'?

I think he would get smoked out in a duel with Kudryashov, honestly.

 

Yeah, he was a monster in the amateurs, but the road in the pros has been a little rocky. Are you forgetting the Page match? Beterbiev isn't all that much tidier on a consistent basis IMO than Kudra, plus he's way smaller..

 

His reach is longer, frame much larger, and he can hurt you even with a blocked punch, which is why I lean his way, but true, if Beterbiev could weave his way in and get to him first, he's probably mighty enough to press Dmitry's snooze button.

 

Yeah but from whom do you think you'd rather take a Muay Thai elbow?

 

I just checked and Ismail Abdoul does indeed stand as the only common professional opponent to date of Gassiev & Brieidis (soon to be joined by Usyk). And yes, Briedis did better against him than a pre-Abel version of Gassiev.

I'm doubtful as to whether Briedis would manage to drop Lebedev, however - or kayo former 2-time champ Diablo Wlodarczyk (the gritty Pole had never stopped before in 57 bouts) with a single body shot - or batter a game Dorticos into submission - or put Isiah Thomas into a dizzy stupor with a couple of right hands (the second one happening to come just ½ a second after the bell). On the other hand, if you put Gassiev in with a fat Manuel Charr there's no question that he would spark him out IMO.