What would Usyk need to do to get inside your top 10 all time heavyweight list?

Yup, guy just cleaned out his entire division, went undisputed, moved up to heavy and did the same thing by beating the two best in the world three times. What's the big deal?

 

Wasn't impressed with his performance against an old Ortiz, who outboxed him the majority of the fight and only lost because of the knockdowns.

A prime Ortiz, and even the Ortiz who fought Wilder twice would've battered Ruiz that night.

 

Not what I am seeing. I am seeing 11 champ or top ten with Mchunu ranked just outside. Sorry, WBC archives not available...

Glowacki- WBO Cruiser Champ
Mchunu- #12 WBO, #14 IBF
Hunter- #9 WBO Cruiser
Huck- #9 WBO, former champion
Briedis- WBC Cruiser Champ
Gassiev-IBF/WBA Cruiser Champ
Bellew- #1 WBO, , #4 WBA cruiser, former champ
Chisora- #8 WBO, #10 IBF, #11 WBA, all at heavyweight
Joshua-IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champ
Joshua- #4 WBO, #4 IBF #4WBA, Former Champion
Dubois- #8, WBO Heavweight (and mando somehow)
Fury-- WBC Heavyweight Champ

 

Sure. I'm up for it. He's a good fighter but he's nowhere near that good. And how much of a mark do you think he's likely to make? That of a top 10 ATG? Those guys leave deep tracks.

 

Wait 20 years and he'll be on everyone's list.

 

It's a comment about the size of the opponents. Some guys in Classic have a meltdown over size issues.

 

Hi Buddy.
You make a very valid and thought provoking point, not for the first time I might add.
stay safe dmt, chat soon.

 

Tunney's two wins over Dempsey made such a huge impact because boxing in the 1920s was wildly popular and culturally significant when compared to today. Jack Dempsey was among the world's most famous names. Nobody in boxing today has 5 percent of the name recognition of a Taylor Swift. If you asked a million people to identify Oleksandr Usyk, well over 90 percent would be stumped. They might know him in Central Europe but only ring enthusiasts elsewhere would likely know of him. Similarly the names of his top opponents wouldn't register with the general public. Even the big names -- Fury and Joshua -- aren't that widely recognized among casual sports fans.That's what Usyk's boosters are up against. So when you compare his win over Fury with Tunney's defeat of Dempsey, it's just a futile exercise.

 

I have a different take on this one. Instead of Usyk doing something to be on the list, what his opponents do matters more. For example, if Joshua does a Muhammad Ali and becomes the undisputed champion beating both Usyk and Fury along the way, Usyk's standing in historical lists would be elevated. Joe Frazier would have been rated much lower if Ali had lost to Foreman in 1974 and disappeared from the scene entirely. Frazier would then be called as a champion who benefited from Ali's absence and beat a 'past-it, shot version' of the Louisville lip. But Ali's resurgence and his claim to being the greatest - recognized by boxing fans worldwide - elevates Frazier's 'fight of the century' win. Similarly, if Joshua ever returns to the top and takes out all opposition, Usyk will be known as the man who took the Brit down 'in his prime'. Otherwise, Usyk will have to have a somewhat lengthy reign with multiple defenses to be ranked among the very best in history.

 

Assuming I've understood your post properly, that AJ beating Usyk would enhance Usyk's historical ranking, you're correct, that is a different take.

 

I look at Usyk in the ring and I see things to like. He's strong and determined, he moves well, he seems like a good guy. I don't know if I'd call him a ring general but he's smart, he knows how to win. He''s busy with his hands and legs, he sets a good pace. He takes care of his body. But at heavyweight he isn't an explosive puncher and he's noticeably slower and less exciting than he was at 200 pounds. Good fighter, sure. He deserves a lot of credit. But an all time great? I don't think so and I don't expect him to be the champion for more than two or three years.

 

He can't.

 

No, Holy. Who most have in their top 10.