Oleksandr Usyk vs. Danie Venter RBR

Round 3

Usyk is putting up his gloves to catch jabs and getting drilled with rights on the body. Usyk is getting up on his tiptoes and reaching in with right jabs on the ear. Nice long jab by Usyk, bypassing Venter's guard and surprising him. Usyk is standing in front of Venter, baiting him to jab so he can shoot up with explosive straight counters. Venter is rolling his left shoulder up and curling his tall frame away, making himself a difficult target, flicking out jabs.

10-9 Usyk, close

29-28 Usyk

 

Venter ain't terrible.

(Wins over Coz, Mwekassa, Bruwer, and Simba; MD loss to Makabu...)

 

Round 4

Usyk is finding his groove now, pecking at Venter's long torso and face with the right jab shot out straight or with an upward slant. Usyk's quick feet are proving the difference here, ducking and weaving at mid-range as he keeps Venter having to reset, disrupting his timing.

10-9 Usyk

39-37 Usyk

 

Round 5

Usyk is feeling it now, walking Venter down and sending powerful left crosses down the pipe after paving the way using a steady flow of half-strength jabs. Venter is giving up ground, pinning his gloves to his face and made shy every time he opens up as Usyk tattoos him with jabs, blinding and frustrating him. Usyk on the frontfoot constantly now, but pressuring intelligently, not getting into Venter's gearhouse, a little too close to be lined up for a well-timed counter right but too far away to hook or grab.

10-9 Usyk

49-46 Usyk

 

Though I've not had him trailing at any point, it wouldn't be completely unreasonable to have Usyk actually down still at this point (the first two could have gone either way and third was semi-close, making 48-47 Venter a possibility) but momentum is all his now. Venter doesn't seem to have a plan B, or anywhere near as high a ring IQ..

 

Round 6

Usyk is going to work, using his quick educated feet to get in range, get off, and get out, all while staying perfectly balanced. SOLID left by Usyk. Venter is throwing straight combos at the body, unwilling to crumble under duress. Usyk is picking up the pace, stinging Venter with right jabs from different angles and altitudes and setting up big lefts. Venter hurt, but hangs in there and stands his ground until the bell.

10-9 Usyk

59-55 Usyk