Who gives Usyk the toughest fight out of these 30s champions?

I don't understand what you don't see in him tbh

 

Plenty as i already mentioned

 

I've always thought Schmelling and Tunney were perhaps the most 'compareable' to Usyk in style and approach to the game. I dont think any of the men listed trouble Usyk though.

 

The thing with this generation is they went pro and started fighting top opponents so early they seem less consistant then they were. Usyk went pro at 26 and even at cruiser didn't fight top guys for a few years after this. Another consideration is these guys had to fight 10 round decisions which make upsets more likely. I'm not sure if Usyk loses any decisions if his fights were 10 rounds but the reason I can't tell at first glance is his margin of victory would be gone except Fury II which would now be close. The difference between being undefeated and being .500ish in big fights thinner then you think.


Carnera might be the worst of these 4 but hes the one Usyk is the least likely to beat. If Fury almost beat Usyk Carnera should be able to get the job done. Of all the giants Carneras the best one for beating durable "movers" and hes beaten far better boxers than Usyk like Tommy Loughran.

Max Baer has a better chance of annihilating Usyk but if Usyks chin holds up theres a chance he can win a decision.

I favor Schmeling but have no strong opinions here. Schmelings resume if we take the Louis win out of it is really not that incredible by the standards of this group. Hes clearly on their level but hes the one who besides that fight stood out the least. Not overly powerful wasn't that consistant, didn't fight a lot and while he beat Louis he didn't face a lot of the other best HWs of his era.

Sharkeys peak form would wreck Usyk but he was only on that level a few fights and is otherwise the one I give the worst chance(I'll still favor Sharkey). But that peak form would maul Usyk pretty bad. Phil Scott was taller than Usyk and peak Sharkey destroyed him. Scott was way better than Chisora. Like the 9th best British HW ever. Hes only underrated because back then the Brits only fought other Brits for most of their career. But H2H whose to say Scott isn't on an ATG level?

The opponents who Usyk has the worst chances against from this era are not in this poll. Usyk would have no chance of beating 190-200 pound Braddock or Tommy Loughran. John Henry Lewis and Tommy Farr never even reached their primes and John Henry Lewis couldn't see but they should beat Usyk fairly easily as well. Al Gainer would make Usyk rue the day he chose to take up boxing.

Ernie Schaafs someone Usyk could beat but who should be favored by a little.

Nathan Mann "P4P" is better than Usyk and while maybe Usyk could knock him out Usyk doesn't have the level of power where you can expect it to turn the table against great small HWs.


IBU champ George Godfrey was very good at fighting larger opponents his weakness was smaller HWs. Godfrey was born for the 21st centurys 21st division.

 

Probably Schmeling but Usyk would crush him too, the gap in skills is too big for Schmeling to overcome...

 

See what I don't get is your main criticism of Usyk is his lack of inside game and supposed weakness to the body (which sure fair enough if a bit critical). But you don't seem to be as critical of Ali despite having the same flaws and numerous others. Seems a bit inconsistent to me.

 

I think a better question is which 90"s champion beats Usyk

Bowe
Lewis
Holyfield
Tyson