I think he can go all the way. People think because Usyk is smaller and doesn't have much power he can't compete with the big heavies but I've seen some of his amateur fights at HW. He can compete because his footwork, defense, speed advantage may prove hard for someone like Joshua or Wilder to deal with. Fury's the one I'm not sure he can beat.
To get frozen out by Joshua and Fury for a couple years hoping he loses. I suspect he will suffer from having to fight #10-20 ranked HW's and the state of the division is poor.
The best Usyk can do is do a David Haye. Pick up a strap, defend it a few times and then retire. He is 33 years old now, so only has 3-4 years left until he goes on the slide. The majority of HWs suffer a serious decline from aged 37 onwards.
Did not look impressive at all against his last opponent who had no business being in that ring. Usyk’s power at heavyweight is questionable to really succeed at that weight class. he’s probably one of the more overhyped guys on this forum and in general. Hasn’t had 1 credible fight at HW yet.
Hopefully he forgets about bulking up and just comes in about 210-212. His speed, movement and vastly superior skills are what will serve him best up at HW and he's not a walking PED factory like Holyfield and Roy were so he should just stick with what made him so formidable down at CW. I think the weight he was coming in at down at CW or maybe max 5lbs more is his optimal weight. Sounds like he might realize this Usyk is still settling into life as a heavyweight and says he is not sure what his ideal weight is yet. “I feel more power [taking punches at heavyweight],” he said. “I put extra weight on my body when I train in the gym and I don’t feel as flexible or sharp as I should but that is only because of the hard work. “When it comes to sparring and boxing, me and my team will decide on the optimum weight for me to fight at. I will stay on that weight and it will be ideal for my movement because that is my main skill.”
Realistically he would have a chance to become the man, even with his lack of power. But his nationality might screw that up for him, as he has to rely on fair judges scorecards to beat the likes of Fury, Joshua and maybe Wilder on their home turf. History has learned us that is quite unlikely.
Sadly he’s already on the decline physically, as pretty much all elite athletes are from their late late 20’s, onwards. The question is, can he add to his game in other areas at a greater level than his physical decline? Boxing is strange in this regard, because boxers don’t actually box that much compared to how other athletes engage in their specialisms. This means that a boxer can still technically improve, even though they’re physically on the slide. Sadly I can’t see him being top dog, but I reckon he could prove to be the best of the rest.
Its getting the right weight and coming in injury free isn't it, that aside and he is more skilled than all of them Fury included. I think they might **** up the move to heavy turning him in to a bigger man to compete, Holyfield had only weight issues moving up, he never had super heavies 7" taller with this level of skill and reach on him and tbh I think he would be ****ed if he was about now, Usyk movement is what separates them, without his legs it would be too much for him too.
Yes it's finding the right balance. The fact that he's become so injury prone since making the move up to HW or preparing his body to do so just further convinces me he shouldn't be trying to bulk up.
The Haye comparison seems reasonable to me - stick around for a few fights, hopefully make some money, almost certainly lose if he comes up against someone who's the full package in terms of size, ability, & i suppose youth.
He'll be a hit and run boxer who'll beat the ranked 10-20 type boxers quite well with said tactics, but struggle against anyone else
