That is because Gassiev had no idea what to do in there. I am not going to suggest that you are not a real fan, but every fight is not a war or a bloodbath. I am 43 years old, been a boxing fan since I was six, and this is one of the most amazing dissections of a vaunted rival I have ever seen, especially considering that Gassiev's own demolition of Dorticos would also quality. Usyk is just that far above the next best in a crowded and talented division. Usyk was like a hummingbird in there. He stood right there to be hit, and every time Gassiev got him in sights, he was already gone. A masterful display of scientific boxing that I was honored to watch. I honestly only remember similar fights from Ali, Leonard, Whitiker, and a couple of others. As you like though. Not your thing.
I enjoyed it, wasn't as competitive as many hoped but seeing Usyk put on a master class of movement was very satisfying. Gassiev is very effective if he is allowed to set to throw his hard shots, but Usyk's movement made it impossible for him to find a position to punch he was constantly made to reset again and again. This fight was a great example of why footwork is so important, for me it's the most important skill, it can take away a ton of other advantages an opponent has. Doesn't matter how hard you hit, if you can't get in position to throw.
As someone who predicted that Usyk would ruthlessly and one-sidedly school Gassiev. I was captivated.
Who did Dorticos beat though? Gassiev was being way overhyped, I picked Usyk comfortable UD because I saw this man go life and death against an old Lebedev.
I was hoping for a special fight but what we got was a special fighter who was too good to let us get a special fight. Luckily i can take enjoyment from a special fighter so i still really enjoyed it. I was hoping Gassiev was really going to throw caution to the wind but Uysk showed Gassiev no way back in to that fight. Was just a masterclass.
You can play that game ad naueum. You can take a string of fights and at some point prove that someone was actually a bum because he never beat a big time opponent, and therefore the entire thing is invalidated and the guy at top is a bum. Who did joshua really beat? Klitskcho Who did Klitskcho ever beat? Povetkin Who did Povetkin ever beat? Chambers Who did Chambers ever beat... The short answer is that Dorticos earned his spot by beating Kudryashov, who in turned beat Juan Carlos Gomez, Palacios and Duradola.
in a way ellerbe you are right that CW is a bit diluted version of HW. But they are the world class of the division, and therefore 2Slyk is the elite of it. Whether he can carry elitedom to HW is another matter.
Yes you can play that game but the results aren't the same. Dorticos really beat no one, unless we want to pretend that Kudryashov is a top guy. Gassiev was being overrated due to that win.
It was a helluva close fight. And Lebedev was at the end of his career. He was old not saying he was shot but there's a reason why he's only fought once since. Just because Usyk dominated Gassiev doesn't erase the fact that he went life and death against Briedies. Gassiev was just overhyped and tailor made for him. Gassiev can't **** with opponents who are constantly moving. I knew Usyk wouldn't let Gassiev get in position. I only watched bits and pieces, but I predicted this and already know this is what happened. Grats to Usyk though! Becoming undisputed in any division is a great accomplishment.