Good to see Ustinov step up in opposition. He has destroyed sub-par opposition with ease, which is always a good indicator. I'm still a bit sceptic, whether he will rise to world level, he also isn't a spring chicken anymore - let's wait and see...
Sprott will be a good test for the former k1 fighter.I was surprised how easily Ustinov destroyed American journeyman Long in their encounter on the undercard of Vitaly vs Sam Peter. Long had put up a quite game and convincing show of boxing against rising heavy weight hope Solis from Cuba. Ustinov can bang.Thats for sure! However,I am still not entirely sold on him.
Tough one for Sprott, if he wins the entire Roman Legion will be after him for beating up their emperor.
I'm still not sold on Ustinov. Sederick Fields lasted against him and Ustinov was clearly frustrated in that fight.
Fields is a tough cookie who has fought the who is who at heavy weight. As far as I can remember only Chagaev and Maskaev were able to stop him in the ring. But like you I am still not sold on Ustinov as I would like to watch him fight a very mobile fighter a la Chris Byrd. Sprott is a good test,but the Brit is a little bit past his prime and may not be able to put up a good show of boxing as he did-for example-versus Vladimir Virchis whose style is a little bit similar to Ustinov's one. Ustinov looks good against stationary targets,and so did Virchis,but mobile and skilled opponents like Bidenko gave him hell-they may give hell to Ustinov,too.
This is the worst undercard in ages (although Kessler-Clazaghe was pretty lame). A bunch of 30+ HW with no name in non title bouts.
Don't forget Ustinov has been in the ring with some skillful K1 and MMA fighters. He has a great record in kickboxing and moved pretty well for his size. An example when he fought Paul Slowinski in Seoul he fought the more mobile fighter by absorbing hits from the centre of the ring keeping that ground and backing his opponent into the ropes and corners. I don't think he's even been down in kickboxing in more than 50 fights. This Sprott fight will be interesting for sure. I have a feeling Ustinov is more mobile and faster than Virchis ... I just wonder about his stamina against a very mobile Byrd type. BTW - is Virchis still in the game or has he given it away ?
Yeah Usti the bear is very fast and mobile for his size. He also has a very good chin and has good enough stamina. Anyway, his weakness has been pretty much exposed. His boxing skills are so so and when you fight him in close, he gets lost and doesn't know what to do, which has also to do with his size of course. Usti is a strong man and maybe the features he posesses are enough to become champion in the current relatively weak heavyweight division. He should give pretty much anybody problems with his size.
If his stamina is ok his size and punch resistance over 10 or 12 rounds would be telling. And important thing is that he has a solid promotional team behind him which will get him on undercards for good money. I think he needs to fight a 'name' asap and get up the rankings, otherwise he will be avoided.
Virchis? No idea,really. According the news a couple of months ago he had retired for good after he had lost to Gomez,but just a couple of weeks later he turned out to be one of Gomez's sparring partners for the Cuban's upcomming fight with Vitaly Klitschko. Nothing seems to be for sure,kostya! Virchis still has the punch to make some noise at heavy weight,but he lacks powerful promotional support as he doesnt fight for Kohl and his Universum Box Promotion anymore. I always wonder why no American promoter has signed him up.He seems to be easy to sell to the American fight fans:former farmer,blue collar guy,huge behemoth,murderous firepower,clumsy but likeable guy,white,a serious danger to any heavy out there.
I actually think you're right about him being right for the US market. I don't know what he would be doing that made him more money than boxing, even as a gatekeeper. I see Oliver McCall is back in the game. That'd be an interesting matchup.
