Oleksandr Usyk
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The Hock
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I was wondering if Briedis could hang with Usyk. Looks like he put up a decent fight so it's not a bad loss and and he can go forward in his career.
Looking forward to the other fights in this tournament.
Looking forward to the other fights in this tournament.
white is right
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Actually technically it was a majority decision. I scored the fight the same as the judges with 115-113 as Usyk seemed to sweep 9 through 11 in a fight that was about even through 8. The twelfth round was won by the Latvian but it was too little too late.
It was very highly skilled and entertaining any throwing away rounds by Usyk would have cost him the fight in my opinion.
It was very highly skilled and entertaining any throwing away rounds by Usyk would have cost him the fight in my opinion.
Being the undisputed world cruiserweight champion automatically makes Usyk a top 10 heavyweight.
But..................... Usyk still places and pushes that jab; he doesn't punish with it. A man can't be a top 5 heavyweight without a killer jab as the bigger men will walk through him. Still he's better than most heavies and, when Fury isn't fighting, he is the most skilled heavyweight out there. Yes, Joshua and Wilder and are more or less good sluggers without sleek finesse. Povetkin is too slow on his feet now.
But..................... Usyk still places and pushes that jab; he doesn't punish with it. A man can't be a top 5 heavyweight without a killer jab as the bigger men will walk through him. Still he's better than most heavies and, when Fury isn't fighting, he is the most skilled heavyweight out there. Yes, Joshua and Wilder and are more or less good sluggers without sleek finesse. Povetkin is too slow on his feet now.
Yes, Usyk didn't have a hook to throw away.
The other two, Dorticos or Gassiev are both really good -credit where it is due. But neither, especially
Gassiev, has the tools to earn point decisions. Usyk is the class.
Amren.com
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I don't like Usyk's odds against Joshua or even Wilder. They're too tall, arms are too long and they hit really hard. I did read once that Usyk does well against tall fighters (amateur fights) so maybe he could surprise us and become top dog.
Don't get me wrong. I like Usyk. I just hope he stays in the cruisers. I just don't think he is a natural heavyweight.
Wilder is still a mystery to me. I don't think he has fought anyone yet. I see him as a system manufactured champion. Klitschko was well past his prime when he fought Fury, and way past when he fought Joshua, but still, Joshua beating Klitschko, is way more than Wilder has ever done. Wilder ducked Povetkin. Maybe Wilder is good, but he has not proven it yet.
Wilder is still a mystery to me. I don't think he has fought anyone yet. I see him as a system manufactured champion. Klitschko was well past his prime when he fought Fury, and way past when he fought Joshua, but still, Joshua beating Klitschko, is way more than Wilder has ever done. Wilder ducked Povetkin. Maybe Wilder is good, but he has not proven it yet.
Amren.com
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Well I agree Wilder hasn't fought anyone good yet. Usyk might actually be able to beat him.
Usyk is not small, he's just not a super heavyweight. He cuts weight to make cruiser. He is 6,3", 220 ambient; he has very good skills, very good arsenal, excellent motion and excellent mobility.
It could be reminded that Szpilka is his size, and, other than once making a terminal weapon of choice, he out boxed Wilder corner to corner.
David Haye is the same size as Usyk. When David was younger and maneuverable, he beat the 7' Russian giant Valuev and went the distance with Wladimir and made millions doing it.
Evander Holyfield is the same size as Usyk and he had very good mobility, very good skills, very good power, and an excellent chin. It should be noted here though that he was PED assisted.
Cassius Clay was the same size as Usyk. More than his boxing record is made public.
With Usyk maintaining a fit weight of 215-220 he will possess greater stability to withstand heavyweight strength and power while still keeping his speed, reflexes, and mobility. Depending on what is left of the super heavyweights if they fight each other, Usyk doesn't necessarily have to win, he just has to place or draw to make millions while not getting knocked out. That I think he can do.
It could be reminded that Szpilka is his size, and, other than once making a terminal weapon of choice, he out boxed Wilder corner to corner.
David Haye is the same size as Usyk. When David was younger and maneuverable, he beat the 7' Russian giant Valuev and went the distance with Wladimir and made millions doing it.
Evander Holyfield is the same size as Usyk and he had very good mobility, very good skills, very good power, and an excellent chin. It should be noted here though that he was PED assisted.
Cassius Clay was the same size as Usyk. More than his boxing record is made public.
With Usyk maintaining a fit weight of 215-220 he will possess greater stability to withstand heavyweight strength and power while still keeping his speed, reflexes, and mobility. Depending on what is left of the super heavyweights if they fight each other, Usyk doesn't necessarily have to win, he just has to place or draw to make millions while not getting knocked out. That I think he can do.
Yes. I do believe Usyk could decision Wilder, but it would be like Roy Jones beating John Ruiz. Not really that legitimate, but hey, if he can make millions doing it, more power to him.
On a side note, I think Wladimir was way to cautious when he fought Haye. He chose to outbox Haye, when he could have just run him over.
On a side note, I think Wladimir was way to cautious when he fought Haye. He chose to outbox Haye, when he could have just run him over.
white is right
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The blue print for Usyk would be a Michael Spinks approach to some of the giants.
His chin against a well timed counter is the key to whether he can pull off an in and out fight against some of the 250 pound heavyweights. It's almost like walking the high wire with a blustery wind.
Most likely he can't but Huck should have beaten Povetkin and like others have stated Jones beat Ruiz with ease and this style can stymie a robotic type champion who doesn't like to chase down an opponent.
The Hock
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If Usyk can win the tournament he should make a run at heavyweight for the usual reason: Money! His best bet is a fight with Wilder. I think chinny Wilder is vulnerable to a strong boxer like Usyk who knows what he's doing in there.
Getting in with Anthony Joshua, not so much. Too big and fast and hits too hard. But there's money there too.
Usyk seems to like his job. That's a plus.
Getting in with Anthony Joshua, not so much. Too big and fast and hits too hard. But there's money there too.
Usyk seems to like his job. That's a plus.
white is right
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Usyk's fight against Tyrone Spong is off. Spong failed a PED test for the drug Clomifene which seems to raise Testosterone, if you look at Spong he looks like the typical juice bag that is found in mma/kick boxing. Supposedly Eddie Hearn had a guy on ice to keep the main event going. https://fightnews.com/spong-fails-drug-test-usyk-to-get-new-foe/57287
Charles Martel
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I'd like to see Usyk vs Chisora. Both have lost their scheduled opponents.
white is right
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https://fightnews.com/derek-chisora-to-face-david-price/57300
PS, Spong is out and Chazz Witherspoon is in, this is basically a wash as Witherspoon is a known quantity that has always failed against ESPN level main event types. But at least he won't piss hot....https://fightnews.com/chazz-witherspoon-to-face-usyk-saturday/57321#more-57321
PS2, Here's the weigh in, Usyk is 215 and Witherspoon looks like he just came off the coach at 248....https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=7NP_aZ4mnzo
Chisora is spoken for as he has a decent domestic clash against David Price that was just agreed upon. The problem with Usyk vs Chisora would be budgetary, like it or not Chisora would demand low 7 figures for the fight and I doubt Hearn has the budget for that after Usyk gets paid, hence Spong was scheduled who at best was getting low 6 figures for the opportunity.
PS, Spong is out and Chazz Witherspoon is in, this is basically a wash as Witherspoon is a known quantity that has always failed against ESPN level main event types. But at least he won't piss hot....https://fightnews.com/chazz-witherspoon-to-face-usyk-saturday/57321#more-57321
PS2, Here's the weigh in, Usyk is 215 and Witherspoon looks like he just came off the coach at 248....https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=7NP_aZ4mnzo
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white lightning
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Lol. Very true but at the same time alot of power can come from a 240lb guy so he should stay mobile and use multiple angles. Just don't get careless. I've seen lucky shots before. I hope I get to
watch it. Let's go Usyk!
Charles Martel
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white is right
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I liked the fact that he came in at his non dried out weight and didn't put on artificial weight with weights and protein shakes. There is no need to become heavy legged to fight an inside fight that really isn't his game.
One thing that could be a problem was Witherspoon was stopped more by exhaustion than concussive power, I recall Witherspoon losing a cross roads fight with Arreola or another fringe contender by being so concussed he was doing the funky chicken in the corner and the referee stopping the fight. Maybe he would have done it another round but Holyfield type power might be not enough to beat a Joshua type.