Usyk is the GOAT cruiser

Cruiser was still new when Holy came into the scene and had a gimmicky reputation, fair or not. It's still treated as the red headed stepchild between LHW and HW; that was even more of the case when Holy came through in the division's 190 pound limit infancy. The paychecks reflected it, so most top talent stuck to either one of those original divisions unless they had no choice.

That era was in no way deeper for CW than today, where most 205-210 lb fighters cut to make 200 rather than deal with the giants that control HW. That size heavy could be competitive on the world level in the 80's and the money was much better, so that's where they went.

Even ignoring all those points, the window to make CW widened 10 pounds from Holy's era. All that can do is add depth.

 

Forgot about him. He'd beat Usyk also.

 

Haye, and Gomez I would favor over Usyk as well.

 

Yes, he is. Not a single doubt. Holyfield has been surpassed.

In 15 fights!

 

To be fair, Evander only had 18 fights at the weight himself before moving up.

 

Yes. But Usyk himself didn't like it. I don't know why.

 

I like the nickname, apparently so does my gf "who's that"

 

Aint nobody has done what he's done

 

Great argument his resume at CW is better than anyone else's. Don't you think if he goes to HW and dissappointed, that has an inherent impact on his CW ATG standing, though? If he never picks up a belt, and gets blown out by AJ, Wilder, or Fury, I can't see how he could ever be ranked above Holyfield. You can't completely divorce performance in a neighboring division from how one is regarded in another division. Especially when your closest competitor had such a strong legacy in both.

 

Also the best classic heavyweight (pre SHW era) of all time.

 

Will have to watch this fight, if he is considered an ATG as a result.

 

I'm not going to logically defend it. I'm just saying that his HW reign might subconsciously colour my opinions of his CW reign, hence why I said I was willing to change my opinion after your last post put his CW achievements in a clearer perspective.

 

Hypejob just like Lomachenko.