Usyk Should Be Criticized For Fighting Wilder

Just had a thought. Usyk beating Paul would be good for his legacy.

In fact, Usyk said today that he wants Paul after Wilder...in the Octogon. I don't know if he was joking or not.

 

sad, but true

 

You think the fans deserve to see him get beat into retirement like so many of the old greats? The sport and fans only want to see these guys beat the life out of eachother. Fighters are more savy these days, they are not willing to sacrifice anymore more of their health for the sport that will chew them up and spit them or or the fickle fans that drop them like a a wet turd that fell in their hands once they lose. I would like to see Usyk finish his career taking out a young hungry lion and walk off into the sunset, but I understand getting as much milk out of the sport before leaving. At this stage of his career, he would be a fool to risk his health for the sole purpose to please a fan.

 

Yeah, I like Usyk but this is a really poor fight. Wilder is an absolute shell at this point, and would count as one of the least deserving title shots I've ever seen if we're talking actual form (which is what title shots really should be based in). On the other hand, it's his first cherrypick at the end of a career where, at HW at least, he's basically been in an endless loop of rematches at the behest of British promoters desperate to get their guys to the titles.

It's disappointing if it happens, but this would be maybe the first time in his entire career where he's had a dud title defence. I'm not sure I can say that of any other remotely long-reigning champion. Happy to give him a pass after all he's achieved.

 

Yeah. It's true that every great fighter has gimmie/cherrypicked defences, and also true that Usyk had three big/huge fights in 14 months before this but it's a terrible fight, a glorified sparring session. It's a minimal risk money fight first and foremost.

Legacy-wise maybe it adds a bit on name value and completeness, especially if Usyk totally dominates/demolishes him. Lewis got a fair amount of credit for dominating a Tyson who was 14 years past his best but in fairness, Tyson was still dangerous for a couple of rounds, at least against fringe contenders. Wilder seems to pose zero threat these days.

Kabayel would be an interesting stylistic matchup, is the best fight among the contenders and he's on a good run (prime, undefeated, dominated Chisora, Sanchez, Zhang). Any neutral would much rather see that and it's a better legacy fight too. Perhaps Usyk's winding down now and I can't blame him.

 

It’s an awful fight at this stage, wilder is so irrelevant now it makes zero sense at first glance but all I can think is what others have said which is that wilder was a relevant name for a large part of usyk’s era and he’s looking to wrap that up before retirement rather than start tapping into the up and comers

I’ve no time for the fight personally but I think we can discount the fact that usyk is scared of anyone and I hate to say it but he has kind of earnt the right to be selective, he’s never shyed away from quality and has tested himself against the best, away from home, and cleared up

 

Come on guys, Ali fought Euro trash fir years while champ.

 

Agreed. Fury was crucified for choosing to fight Chisora for a third time when no one was calling for it. It’s a disgraceful cherry pick from Usyk, one of the worst of all time.

 

As I've said if Usyk wants these type of fights then just vacate the belts.

My big issue with this fight is that we have to wait a whole year since Usyk fought Dubois. To have a totally pointless fight vs Wilder whilst Usyk still has all the belts.

If Usyk was more active I could overlook the gimme fight vs Wilder but Usyk on average only fights once a year.

So a totally irrelevant/rubbish fight like this is just stalling the division for another year.

So yes Usyk deserves criticism for this fight just like any other boxer would.

If Usyk only wants these type of fights now then just vacate the belts and then the division can move on.

 

I've no issue with it as long as he isnt holding the belts hostage. I dont think Wilder deserves it, I dont think it will be all that competitive, however I understand for Usyk it would allow him to say he has beaten the 3 kings of the division prior to him.

And for those who might want to be negative about this, his 2 biggest rivals both fought Ngannou for cash grabs.

 

Usyk is definitely one fighter who has earned the right to a voluntary defence… but not when only boxing once a year and not at the detriment to the entire division. Love Usyk but at this point it’s needs to be either Kabayal or a young lion in Wardley or Itauma.

 

It's a glorified stay busy fight cause wilder has a name that generates money i just hope usyk won't have a long lay off and hold the belts hostage

 

Big difference.

Ali was fighting often atleast every few months whilst Usyk averages 1 fight per year.

So Ali having a soft touch whilst still being very active is different than Usyk having a soft touch and not being that active.

So yes Ali had a few soft touches but I'll give you a few examples.

Ali fought Richard Dunn then a few months later he fought Ken Norton.

Ali fought Alfredo Evangelista then fought Earnie Shavers a few months later.

Is Usyk going to fight one of the top contenders a few months later after fighting Wilder ? Highly doubtful because Usyk is not that active.

Hence the division gets stalled for atleast a year and half since Usyk fought Dubois with a pointless irrelevant fight and that is why fans get frustrated.

 

I criticized him, but I take it back. We have to realize these guys have to maximize their earnings. Usyk has done enough. He deserves an easy paycheck and probably retirement afterwards.

But I'll watch it when it's free. Just not interested.

 

Yes in a macro sense theres dozens of people waiting and Usyk is ruining all their careers. Usyk, Fury, AJ and Wilder have not done right by the HW division and have disgraced the HW title by how they discharged their duties as champion.

However the alternative to this fight was Wardley. Thats who Usyk was stripped for not fighting not Kabayel not insert name here whose languishing in line. I'd rather see Usyk fight Wilder then Wardley. Wardleys more deserving then Wilder but I'm not getting outraged Usyk isn't fighting him. Hes not that guy.