How is a 38 year old man who heavily relies on movement still dominating?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by ellerbe, Jul 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM.


  1. ellerbe

    ellerbe Loyal Member Full Member

    39,006
    15,674
    Jul 25, 2014
    Usyk just dismantled a young prime heavy hitter with ease. How is he able to do it still? Wlad I understood, he used his size and held like a female dog. Usyk is finding ways to adapt and still fights clean. Truly a boxing genius and arguably the GOAT. I know @AdamT was punching air on sat.
     
  2. CooperKupp

    CooperKupp “B.. but they all playin NBA basketball again!” Full Member

    2,127
    4,476
    Aug 28, 2022
    Usyk’s just a badass. Cut from a different cloth. Incredibly smart, has very good speed, has a phenomenal work ethic, always has his endurance on point and I’ve said this a thousand times… hits harder than many give him credit for.

    The epitome of a warrior.
     
  3. Braindamage

    Braindamage Baby Face Beast Full Member

    10,878
    9,842
    Oct 1, 2011
    He is still quicker than his opponents. HW's really not known for their speed. Plus he is crafty.
     
    gollumsluvslave likes this.
  4. TNSNO1878

    TNSNO1878 Member Full Member

    300
    581
    May 5, 2025
    It's hard to answer this question without sounding dismissive, but Usyk is coming up against the likes of Joshua and Dubois, who are both as robotic and defensively inept as any world-level heavyweight I've seen for decades. Coming up in weight makes him more agile, and he's also just much technically better than anyone at HW by quite some distance. He's also running over old ground with boxers he's already figured out, half of his HW resume is Joshua and Dubois.
     
  5. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Fight sports enthusiast Full Member

    1,615
    2,565
    Jun 30, 2021
    Manny Pacquaio at 46 arguably just won a fight against a 16 years younger WBC welterweight champ. Age ain't nothing but a number, if you have the mindset.
     
    NullaLexInk, Badbot and Alexmadzorro like this.
  6. bjl12

    bjl12 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,782
    2,488
    Sep 26, 2012
    Usyk is deceptively smart using distance, much like BHop was. He also counters well and sets traps. It doesnt hurt that this HW crop is on the weaker side, but Usyk wouldve competed in any HW era
     
    Clinton, Overhand94 and Alexmadzorro like this.
  7. MetalLicker

    MetalLicker I Am Full Member

    23,432
    26,158
    Feb 10, 2011
    Clean lifestyles, fundamentals and dedication.

    Guys like Usyk, Beterviev, Hopkins can remain competitive because they take care of themselves and they have good boxing fundamentals.

    Boxers who relies too much on athleticism tend to fall off a lot faster, like Roy Jones, Judah and Hamed.
     
  8. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,230
    614
    Nov 13, 2008
    38 is not old like he said , plus he a top class athlete boxing is in his DNA ..

    He trains hard , he trains for high tempo and movement because that's his style ..
     
    Overhand94 and Alexmadzorro like this.
  9. Robney

    Robney ᴻᴼ ᴸᴼᴻᴳᴲᴿ ᴲ۷ᴵᴸ Full Member

    92,828
    27,526
    Jan 18, 2010
    Aging is still undefeated at about 117 billion to 0, no matter the mindset of all those people.

    Still, at lower weighclasses it counts more as with heavyweight.
    Many heavyweights showed decline of even being completely done after the age of 36, but some managed to hold on for longer.

    Louis was 37 when he won his last HW titlefight by KO6
    Lewis was 37 (TKO6)
    Vitali's last win was at 41 (TKO4) and he still dominated his opponents. His body just gave out on him with injuries and his political career took priority.
    Pretty damn sure he would have completely trashed his mandatory if the fight had still happened, because his opponent would have been jab magnet Stiverne.
    His brother Wladimir was 39 when he last won, but already clearly showing decline.
    Holmes looked done at 39 when Tyson knocked him out in 4 rounds, but he schooled a then undefeated Mercer at age 42. Didn't look all that bad against a prime Holyfield at 43 and McCall at 45 in lost titlefights.
    Holyfield clearly showed signs of decline from 39 on, but almost managed to recapture the corrupt WBA title at the age of 46 against 49-1 Valuev. Doped up to the brim probably, but still.
    And of course there's the man, the myth, Big George Foreman, who went on a rampage in his second career ultimately resulting in a 10th round KO victory over Moorer at age 45. Eventually getting robbed on the cards against Briggs for the lineage at the age of 48, one and a half month shy of his 49th birthday.
     
  10. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,832
    5,421
    Nov 24, 2019
    Because he's the best ever.
     
    CooperKupp likes this.
  11. West of Hollywood

    West of Hollywood Active Member Full Member

    1,109
    1,687
    Nov 17, 2018
    Youth and size are overrated. "Skills pay the bills."
     
  12. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

    241,768
    235,002
    Nov 23, 2013
    Because in the words of Harvey Keitel in From Dusk Till Dawn... He's a Mean Mmm Mmm Servant of God!::sisi1
     
  13. humbug

    humbug In Vino Veritas Full Member

    1,885
    782
    May 1, 2006
    Usyk and his team are clearly working in unison like a well-oiled machine.

    There’s a disconnect with most fighters, their trainers and their corners.
     
    Smoochie likes this.
  14. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,519
    11,670
    Jul 1, 2010
    Because Usyk is fully aware of his advantages and disadvantages and has used both to fully capitalise against his opponents

    Big power puncher? No problem. I will circle away and constantly reset him

    Good mover? No problem. I will break his rhythm

    Pressure fighter? No problem. I will set traps and make him gun shy
     
  15. FastSmith7

    FastSmith7 Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,445
    9,566
    Sep 16, 2017
    Because he is a genius, his feet are clearly a bit slower than they used to be, so how he adapted instead is by being more economical with his movement, instead of jumping around like a gazelle, he’s taking very small steps back to just about avoid punches, Usyk’s counterpunching has gone to another level in the last 3 years or so, partly because he’s adjusted his footwork to be less flashy but more economical, it’s still very flashy don’t get me wrong!
     
    Clinton, Overhand94, Mickc and 2 others like this.