[PRIME] Oleksandr Usyk vs. [PRIME] Evander Holyfield

Safe to say Holyfield is better than anyone Usyk has faced to date.

Can Holyfield make it a war, how does Usyk cope with all the head butts? Can Evander cut off the ring on Usyk and set a pace that even Usyk struggles with?

My heart says Holyfield but my head says Usyk being an awkward southpaw and with his movement can win a close 12 round fight to get the nod on the judges cards.

 

I'm going to stick with my original prediction and that's Holyfield by hard fought decision. But there's no doubt that those are the 2 best Cruiserweights of all time. This is probably top 10 one of best hypothetical matchups that's debated.

 

I think Usyk. Holyfield did best with guys that didn't move too much.

 

Usyk has fast and unpredictable movement, Holyfield more power. Both incredible engines. In my opinion Usyk takes it, just because of punch accumulation and those nasty awkward left handers that nobody has really figured out yet.

 

If anybody would have figured out those straight lefts it would be Holyfield. Hes one of the best counterpunchers in the history of boxing.

 

I think if they fought a trilogy each would win at least once, I'd favor Usyk to take 2/3.

The style matchup favors Usyk on certain dimensions, but I think part of Usyk's game has been opponents defeating themselves mentally. AJ and Gassiev underperformed for this reason, but Briedis and Chisora cut through Usyk's smoke and mirrors and outperformed expectations.

Holyfield was a mentally strong fighter and had a lot of his own tricks and tactics to steal rounds and make things uncomfortable for the opponent. Usyk can be distracted by dirty fighting. Obviously it's not a nice way to win but historically it is pretty effective.

 

At CW they moved the weight up + with day before weigh ins Usyk would be the bigger man, & it is close enough in skill & volume punching & counterpunching that this would tip the balance to Usyk.
At HW with Holyfield using PEDs, that would give him enough advantage to take it.
However Holyfield early at HW, 205-208 lbs., smaller than Usyk due to less lower body mass, & still a high volume puncher...

To me that is a pick 'em fight.

 

I got Usyk winning 8 rounds in a close fight.

 

8 rounds is a clear decision bruh.

 

I meant to say the rounds Usyk wins will be close, but the overall score may be wide.

 

Depends what weight class and how Usyk deals with Evans Fields dirty tactics

 

Completely agree, Holyfield was a master, managed to bring his cruiserweight skills up to heavy, Usyk has done the same. It would be close.

 

Don't quote me on this exactly but I lined up their fights once and they actually moved through the weight classes at a pretty similar pace. Usyk wasn't always at the 200lbs amateur division, he fought at light heavy and even middle but so did Holy in his teen years. He wasn't a 200lbs 12 year old like Tyson.

They are very similar in size and development.

 

CW: Usyk
HW: Holyfield