I'd pick Oleksander Usyk to beat Max Schmeling

I had Gassiev picked, and I was wrong.

I was thinking that the Lebedev fight was a learning experience he’d adjust from, in terms of being incapable of generating a dynamic attack, or a high punch output.

Usyk is amazing imo.
The way he completely nullified Gassiev with angles, awkward timing, and overall IQ was brilliant.

For me, this is a reminder of the importance of intangibles. Gassiev has incredible raw traits. His power is phenomenal. But he wasn’t focused,he wasn’t creative, he wasn’t opportunistic, and he seemed all too happy to go with the motions. Taking some liberties here, but almost as if he was trying to be too nice of a host to the foreign opponent. A stark contrast to Marcianos wicked relentlessness, or Joe Louis’s cold eyed killer instinct.

And on a mechanical level, Gassiev wasn’t bending his knees at all. He was too front heavy. He didn’t really have a back foot. And this, coupled with a one track minded style, made for a predictable opponent. Not something you want when up against a dynamic world beater like Usyk.

 

I think it's a skill and ability gap more than an "intangibles" issue. I'm surprised that you contrasted Gassiev with Louis. Gassiev's problems in this fight actually reminded me somewhat of Louis's struggles in the Conn and Walcott fights.

 

I always fancied Usyk too mobile too quick.I think he exposed Gassiev.I have to give the Russian credit I wouldnt have been surprised of he had quit he took a hiding and kept trying ,and he can certainly punch but he is one dimensional imo.No head movement ,no lateral movement ,no jab.Good post by you!

 

I though Usyk would win 8-4. He won easily in Gassiev's country. If he moves up, he might look just as good as long as the other guy doesn't have a longer text book jab and powerful right behind it. I hope he fights Wilder next and would pick him to win it.

 

It depends on the money, but I agree with you.

 

There are definitely similarities in the stylistic matchups of those bouts, but Louis was a performer, and a winner. He could have easily rested on his loins, and let the hungry, determined, fast, fleet footed Conn and Walcott walk away with wins. But he made it happen. He kept his mind in the fight, never stopped searching for opportunities and creating attacks. That’s the difference between him and Gassiev, among other things.

Gassievs disposition seemed more like Bears when he fought Louis. Extremely low punch output. No bending at the knees, no creativity, no dynamicism. Just a let me walk in and get hit kind of style.

The main difference mechanically is that Louis had a back foot. He could spring into counters and attacks. He had more flexibility for combining head movement with footwork and with his punches. He could flow way better. Gassiev had no flow.

And for a man of his power and technique, he was way too friendly with his high level opponent. All these hand shakes and resets. He should have been in killer instinct mode.

 

If I were made to bet, I’d place my money on Usyk. But this is all flimsy conjecture, as I’ve seen only three full fights of his.
It should be said that all this recent praise is based on a meager 15 fights all of which Schmeling would have easily won himself.
His last outing, while highly competent, was hardly awe-inspiring, and I haven’t seen compelling evidence of him beating a Dempsey.

 

Interesting so heavyweights who were under 200lbs make your cruiserweight list not heavyweight? Where does Joe Louis fit cause he always hovered around 200lbs sometimes less sometimes more.

 

Yeap never liked overly buddy thing not to say I prefer people who have no sportsmanship but you're in there to win not make friends. Feels like sparring when they wanna touch gloves all the time.

 

I like Usyk, but based on everything I've seen from him no way would I pick him against Schmeling. Bellew is an experienced and good fighter for today with both good timing and upper body movement, but compared to Schmeling Bellew is a novice at boxing. Usyk's superior chin and conditioning won him the fight against Bellew, but Usyk wouldn't out condition Schmeling and Max could knock any heavyweight flat with his counter right.

 

A

Actually I tend to rank them in both. So, for example Louis is my CW number 1 and my HW number 2. Holyfield is my CW 2 and HW 8. Johnson is my CW3 and HW 9, etc.

 

I’d pick him to beat Joe Louis.

 

He'd box Louis's ears off.

 

I mean it’d be really competitive but I think Usyk has the style and chin to get it done.

Although if anyone around their peak at 200lbs could beat Usyk into another dimension I guess it would be Louis.

Just north of 200lbs I suppose Frazier would be the worst stylistic matchup for Usyk. Nistor gave him issues with swarming over 5 and Smokin’ Joe was an absolute monster at that facet of the game with a 15-round engine at his best.

 

I'd give Frazier a much better chance of beating Usyk than Louis based on that same argument. I think Louis has a torrid time with Usyk and goes into a mental shell when he can't figure Usyk out and starts getting hit with shots he has no idea how to defend against. All respect to Louis but I can't see him doing well against a fighter with Usyk's style.