Usyk would beat Ali

I don't like this fantasy matchups. People of old shouldn't be compared in a H2H manner, as things were completely different back then.

 

It's not far fetched, as time goes on Usyk will eventually be in everyones top 5 heavyweights, not only because he's undefeated but the first 4 belt heavyweight champ, and because recency bias is at an all time high

 

Full fight write up

In one corner you have the Greatest, Muhammad Ali, squaring off against the Cat, Oleksandr Usyk.

Born on opposite sides of the Atlantic on the same day (the 17th of January) forty-five years apart, they are two of the best fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves.

Not only do they share a birthday, but both are six foot three inches in height, both have a seventy-eight reach and their optimum fighting weight is between 215 and 220 pounds, Usyk being the slightly heavier of the two.

This is a really tricky fight to predict. Even though Usyk has modern-day training and nutrition advantages, he is still slower than Ali both in hand and foot speed.

In terms of stamina, they are about even, with Ali regularly fighting for fifteen rounds and Usyk showing an unreal gas tank, often getting stronger as the fight progresses. Again, endurance and chin are dead even. In terms of heart, again with iron wills to win there’s nothing to separate them.

Neither are known for hitting hard, so it’s reasonable to expect a high output tactical boxing match rather than an all-out slug fest.

Technical skills favour Usyk, however the “mistakes” Ali makes – like pulling his head back, crossing his feet or fighting with his hands low – are all tailored to his inhuman reflexes, and he turns them into his strengths.

Looking at ring IQ, Ali is a genius in the squared circle, able to come up with winning strategies mid-fight. Whereas Usyk has the preciseness of a surgeon and, having never tasted defeat in the pros and holding the experience of over three hundred amateur fights, is Ali’s equal.

As you can probably tell, I can barely split them. Ali has the edge in terms of speed, which could be a factor. Then again, Usyk is a southpaw with fantastic lateral movement, which can be very difficult to read. Furthermore, he is undefeated in the pros (at the time of writing) so no one has figured out the Usyk conundrum.

Ali’s main weakness is his left hook, which Usyk is a master of. Usyk’s biggest weakness is body punching, but Ali prefers to head hunt. Either way, we are in for a treat.

The build-up and press conferences display both fighter’s personalities to the extreme. On one side you have the serene and respectful Ukrainian who conducts himself with the utmost of class and humbleness contrasting with the rumbustious American constantly taunting and belittling his opponent.

Ali tries every trick in the book to get under his opponent’s skin, even resorting to calling him “buck tooth”, but nothing phases his foe, who approaches each presser in a zen-like manner.

Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, manages to get under Ali’s skin, calling him a draft dodger, while Usyk paused his career to fight alongside his countrymen against Russia.

With the political undertones, the West clashing with East and the difference in personalities, the anticipation for the fight is unprecedented. Commenters are comparing the build-up to the Fight of the Century when Ali and Frazier fought.

With the fighters in the ring, the announcer starts to recite the numerous achievements of each champion. The crowd braces themselves for a long and exhaustive list.

“In the red corner from Louisville, Kentucky, USA, weighing two hundred and fourteen pounds is the first ever three-time world heavyweight champion, the first ever three-time lineal heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist: the Greatest, Muhammad Ali!”

The roar of the crowd echoes across the arena. Ali raises his arms, basking in the adulation and absorbing the moment. From the corner of his eye he notices Usyk has not once taken his eyes off him, like a gunslinger accepting his fate that it’s either him or the man he’s about to face.

The MC swiftly moves on: “In the blue corner from Ukraine, weighing two hundred and twenty-two pounds, the undisputed cruiserweight world champion, the unified heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist: the Cat, Oleksandr Usyk!”

The crowd cheers enthusiastically, but not as fervently as they did for Ali. Clearly the away fighter isn’t as popular as the home-grown and magnetic Ali.

The bell finally sounds and the fight begins. Two grandmasters of the sweet science begin the slow walk and enter the loneliest place on earth.

DM me for the rest

 

You must be really big on Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Where do you rank them all-time?

 

This would be the type of fight that would make me postpone or even cancel sex, it's hard to say who would win...

 

How is smashing Joshua and beating past prime Fury evidence he'd beat someone like Ali?

35 year old Fury and Joshua aren't Ali level. Not even close.

 

It isn’t but it’s evidence of Usyks ability.

Did Ali ever beat anyone with a 20lb (AJ) or 40lb (Fury) weight advantage?

Also did Ali ever beat anyone with the weight advantage and 3-5 inch height advantage and 6 inch reach advantage?

That takes tremendous skill. Not saying Usyk would beat Ali

 

Ali did beat bigger fighters that's a misconception to think he was bigger than every opponent Terrell was touted as being bigger and his toughest test and he smashed him up

 

Ali couldnt even handle one dimensional Joe Frazier, how is he going to handle the complex Usyk.

 

Terrell weighed 212lbs just like Ali. Joshua and Fury were significantly heavier than Usyk.

 

If Ali was born today he would be even better with modern science,training etc

Sure maybe Usyk would have an advantage if we compare like for like, but I'm not sure. Ali had heart like no other and mental toughness

F..k it I still think Ali would beat him,if we are talking Ali right before his exile

 

Fighters had to weigh less than 230 lbs back then because they fought for 15 rounds, Terrell was 3 inches taller and seen as a serious threat

Do you honestly think that AJ with his stiff telegraphing of punches could even land on Ali or outlast him for 12 rounds or what about Fury who proved on Sat that size isn't everything in a fight