Who is more skilled: Canelo or Usyk?

Usyk and it's not close.

Better physical attributes like timing, co-ordination, balance, speed (relatively), power (again, relatively). Canelo has a reflex advantage, but it isn't not a big one. So all in all, Usyk >> Canelo here.

Skillwise, it's still all Usyk. Better footwork, ring IQ, positioning, angles, range control/management, more versatile, better ring general. Canelo has a head/upper body movement advantage but that's it.

Usyk >>> Canelo

 

If Usyk fought as many #1, top 3, top 10, former titlist, etc. as Canelo perhaps he wouldn't have won as many rounds against his top foes either... Canelo's results perhaps seem better than his individual assets/skills. We will see what Usyk goes on to accomplish.

 

Great points. However, I disagree on power. IMO Canelo is relatively harder hitter at 154, 160 than Usyk was at CW. And he's relatively harder hitter at 168 and 175 than Usyk is at HW.

Both have great timing.

Otherwise, I agree with your points

 

Usyk is the better pure boxer, Canelo is the better counter puncher. Canelo also has the better p4p power, Usyk has better engine, durability, adaptibility and better jab(which is boxing 101).

Overall, I’d go with Usyk.

 

Usyk, clearly.

 

This breakdown is great.

And on top of that Usyk has yet to show a deficiency against any stylistic match ups and as we all know on here (if we're being objective) there are at least two stylistic match ups that will always make Canelo look bad.

 

i think usyk is the more impressive physical specimen, hes got better dimensions and a more efficiently running system. skillwise, canelo by far. canelo has mastered technique usyk isnt even aware exists. canelos technique is very efficient, which makes up for his physical limitations.
canelo is a product of mastering technique by getting the right experience against the right opponents. now he is operating at a level, as far as skill, confidence and opportunity, that few fighters ever do. i havent even seen usyk against an A level fighter yet... its not close.

 

Canelo looks dangerous and skilled against shot Kovalev, but in most of his fights he needs gift decisions and peds to win.
Canelo also has terrible stamina and average footwork. He is a manufactured fighter pretty much.

 

Usyk, and it’s not even close. Usyk doesn’t need PEDs or corrupt judges to beat top fighters...and he does it in the opponent’s backyard. Canelo knows he needs corrupt judging to guarantee wins.

Also, when did you ever see Usyk rely on a massive size advantage to win a fight.? Look at the Khan and Beefy Smith fights where Canelo looked like a hulk fighting a jockey. Usyk has never insisted on a cathchweight or max hydration clause, he just beats guys fairly without the drama and corruption that surrounds Canelo.

Canelo looks good at times, especially against smaller or older/drained opponents, but relies on smoke and mirrors, he benefits from unfair political advantages to win fights (hydration clauses, illega wraps, PEDs). Usyk doesn’t need these artificial advantages to win, he is simply better at every aspect of the game. If he was Mexican, he’d be one of the most popular fighters in boxing.

Canelo’s biggest strength is that he’s Mexican and his fan base is the best in boxing. Most loyal, best supporters in the sport. As a result, he’s able to command huge $$$’s and stack the deck in his favor.

 

Yep, Usyk also outclassed his high ranked opponents when Canelo relied on gift decisions and steroids to win.

 

Canelo

 

Canelo has fought 13 years worth of fighters to gain his skill set. Usyk has six years' experience against what greats? His experience is limited to cruisers who were & still are trying to make a name, hoping to become a great for this era, bar maybe Huck?

Now if it were a question of who has the most natural talent, I'd go Usyk. He cleaned out the Cruisers in spectacular fashion.

But Look at how many champions Saul has fought from N'dou, Baldomir, Cintron, Trout to Lara. How many potential ATGr's he has from Mosley, Mayweather, 3G, to potential HOFers like Cotto, Jacobs, Kovalev.

That is a treasure trove of experience. What style has he yet to face? From high risk low reward matches with Lara to light em fest with Kirkland, aint no damn way, no dang tootin' possibility that Usyk has any experience comparable to Canelo.

Gifted yes, more experienced? If that's the case lets just say Lomachenko is more experienced then Ray Robinson & Benny Leonard combined. Since the vetting process is no longer about how long has the crafts been honed & against how many versatile styles matched up against.