Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk vs. Alexander Vladimirovich Povetkin - 12 rounds at HW, mid-2020

yes i remember. I think part of the issue was people had bought into the bigger is better myth. The relatively competitive fight vs Chisora didn't help.

One of my fears for Usyk at heavyweight was the idea that he would bulk up to 230-240 lbs and lose his mobility. Fortunately, he made the right decision.

 

Povetkin is tailor-made for Usyk stylistically. In 2020 I would pick Usyk to win literally every round.

 

This imo would would have been a real fun fight to watch
Every version of Uysk wins however

 

Usyk wins off the jab...

 

The difference in footwork would be too much even for a prime Sasha, who would make it competitive with his combination punching but lose a clear decision.

The one that showed up against Hunter and Whyte? Usyk by mercy stoppage at any point in second half of the fight.

 

Look, one vote for Povetkin. I had no idea John Fury posted on here.

 

I used to fancy Povetkin but Usyk has convinced me that he can handle the size and pace of Povetkin. I think Usyk's footwork would be a real pain in the arse for Sasha, who liked to close the distance fast and then trade in the box. He'd be 'closing the distance' all night with Usyk.

 

I like Povetkin but he was shot to bits in the first Whyte fight but somehow threw one of the best punch of his career. Usyk wins a wide decision or possibly even stops an exhausted Sasha late.

 

Voted Usyk KO, but having thought about it - also Usyk was a little green maybe at HW then in 2020. I’d go for Usyk wide UD.

 

Povetkin was shot in 2019-2020. Usyk in 8 rounds.

 

I had Povetkin beating Chambers very very wide. Not a big issue at all.

 

Povetkin is too slow compared to Usyk. Even AJ KOed him easily.

Usyk dances around Povetkin all night long and wins by 120 - 108.

 

Povetkin was already getting old then but he was arguably ahead when he was stopped and clearly caused some issues. So hardly an "easy" win for AJ.

 

Prime Sasha is live in the fight. I don't think it's a stretch to think he takes him extremely close like Briedis did. Povetkin was an elite fighter for almost 20 years in the amateurs and the pros. He's seen and dealt with styles similar to Usyks more than most pros have. Old Povetkin might do alright in the first half as he tended to do even against elite/top rated fighters, but yeah he's likely to get stopped or brutally beaten in the second half.