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

Idk. Briedis was able to match Usyk’s movement and answer back from the angles he created, similar to Clemente Russo in the ams. Povetkin never had to cut off the ring, he didn’ move his head, he didn’t bulldoze like Chisora or use illegal smothering tactics. He was way more technical in his approach, which would probably fare worse against Usyk. I actually had him edging Huck, but that fight showed enough to suggest he wouldn’t like Usyk’s pace. Best case scenario I can see for him is they Split the rounds in the first half, Usyk sweeps the rest.

That’s no knock on Sasha, Usyk is very special. I wouldn’t favour anyone over him other than 60’s Ali and 80’s Tyson.

 

Yeah but I think Hucks scrappiness and questionable tactics caused him more problems than anything else though. Usyk is a totally different fight. I think Povetkin would pressure and have success with his combinations and do alright boxing with Usyk. The question is can he sustain it enough to win and would he be able to cope when Usyk goes through the gears as the fight progresses. I think it's a fascinating h2h matchup tbh. Prime Povetkin really was a quality operator. Just unfortunate for him that his prime coincided with the Klitschkos reign. He very likely would have been a great himself otherwise.