Is Gassiev in the same class as Usyk?

In terms of their standing and accomplishments, why the hell aren’t they the same level??
Both are unified champions at CW. Both undefeated. Both have fought legit contenders in the division.

Usyk wasn’t as impressive against Briedis, and I have a feeling making weight took a little away from him. In the ITV documentary he did say he hadn’t eaten for 24 hours. (But it isn’t a big deal as he’s done 3 days before a fight before).

On another note, I was super impressed with Gassiev. Any fighter who can score a KO in the 12th. Love that left uppercut he throws when he finds that gap between the opponents guard. We need gifs of that.

 

He is getting closer. 24 years...

 

I think Gassiev takes this. To me he looks more polished. He knows his own style inside out. His defense is tight. He looks for holes in the opponents defense. He squares up quite a bit but his punches with both hands are efficient and normally end up getting through a hole in the defense.

Usyk has a style that might make it tough for Gassiev, but I see Gassiev doing much better than Huck or Breidis. Usyk looks to me like he needs a bit more refinement or a few more years to reach his full potential. Gassiev I think already knows how he is going to fight.

 

prior to this Tournament i can't remember when i last watched a CW fight so i don't claim to offer an informed opinion on this fight, nor rebut yours

that said, in Gassiev vs Dorticos, Dorticos was the pressure fighter--he stalked Gassiev literally right until the very end.

so while Usyk moves like a WW, Gassiev isn't going to be chasing Usyk, is he?

 

Huck was getting frustrated and chasing Usyk. I think Gassiev will do ok walking him down, he won't chase after him and get frustrated like huck. He just needs to control centre really. Usyk is also going to want to land punches, Gassievs defense is good enough to make that difficult even when he is standing in front of him. Usyks stance and style is his advantage. I just think Gassiev will handle it better than Huck and Breidis. I would say all the early rounds to Usyk before Gassiev gets into his work later on.

 

That's an interesting point, by the way. Is Gassiev a pressure fighter at all? I mean, he obviously is to some extent, but in his fight with Dorticos why he actually chose such (middle/long) distance? I would say it was quite comfortable for Dorticos.
If he fights the same way against Usyk, i doubt Gassiev will win. To beat Usyk Gassiev needs to go to fight on the inside. He needs to be as aggressive as possible. Extreme aggression beats Usyk.

 

I thought the usyk/briedis fight was fought at a much higher tempo than the gassiev/dorticos fight

I think usyk will build up an early lead and nick some more rounds being busier, I don’t think gassiev will catch him, usyk is too smart

 

Usyk has an edge over Gassiev, Papa Lomachenko will be training him, so he will be ready, at his very best. Abel Sanchez will be training Gassiev, Gassiev also really good, but does not have the skills of Usyk, still, this fight will be interesting, should be a very exciting fight, I think Usyk by UD, but competive...............

 

Omg, please stop this, please. Papachenko is NOT training him now.