Usyk - Gassiev predictions

TONY BELLEW “Usyk is impressive,” said Bellew in an interview with The Ring. “His work rate, his tenacity, his combination punching, his accuracy, his speed, his timing. He’s the most complete cruiserweight in the world. If there’s a downside, he gets hit too much. At this weight, we’re small heavyweights. Essentially, we’re heavyweights who are in shape. It only take one (shot), and regardless of how good Usyk is, regardless of what he did in the amateurs, it only takes one. “I think Usyk is trying to make himself exciting. He’s trying to get that crossover appeal. His mentor, Wladimir Klitshko, couldn’t quite crossover and give people that excitement. Wladimir gets a lot of stick from fans, but he chose not to be exciting because of how vulnerable he was. Usyk isn’t vulnerable, so he’s making himself exciting by giving guys shots on him.” “Without a doubt, Gassiev is the toughest test of Usyk’s career,” said Bellew. “I could actually make a case for both these guys because they’re brilliant fighters. “Gassiev likes to take his time. I think he can be disrupted if the pace is brought up and down. I think that’s the way to beat him and Usyk is capable of doing that. Gassiev is going to want it one-paced and he’s going to want his man to exchange up-close with him. I seen patches in the Dorticos fight where Gassiev seemed a bit apprehensive when his opponent was letting go with combinations. But Dorticos looks like a much bigger puncher than Usyk so you have to take that into consideration.” ''I want the Usyk-Gassiev winner but I need to weigh things up,” admitted Bellew. “If fighting the Usyk-Gassiev winner was the same money as fighting any of the other two fighters I have in mind, then it would be a no-brainer. But if I can make three to five times more money for fighting a Tyson Fury or an Andre Ward, then that outweighs winning all those belts at cruiserweight. “As much as I’m a bit of a boxing historian and I love the thought of being the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, you have to look at the financials. It’s a business decision. I was asked why I didn’t enter the WBSS and the reason was simply: I made more money in one fight (David Haye rematch) than the winner of this entire tournament. And that was without going through three fights and getting loads of miles on my clock. “If I come back to cruiserweight and fight the winner of Usyk-Gassiev, I know that it would be the final fight of my career because I would take so much stick from either one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got it in me to beat the two of them, but I also know I’m going to take a lot of punishment in there.”

Comments (3)

I called it for Usyk and said that it will be easier than Briedis fight.

7y ago

Chrismart

MICHAEL WOODS: USYK UD I want to go to my default and pick experience to win out. Oleksandr Usyk has fought soooo many rounds, and I do think he’s seen attributes like Gassiev’s before and dealt with them. But this Gassiev… after 25 amateur fights, and this amount of pro experience, he’s fighting at THIS level? Might he be more special than Usyk? Might be, might be. But Gassiev will PROVE IT if he downs Usyk… If the power Abel Sanchez says will be the difference-maker speaks loudest, then I will be ALL IN on the Gassiev train. I’m already practically there, my ticket is bought and paid for… but it’s not in the VIP section, up front. But Usyk is ever so clever, and his skill set is well rounded. Experience wins out… I think. But I don’t know, so you bet your butt I’m anticipating seeing how this plays out. Usyk by tight UD. TOM GRAY: USYK UD Despite Gassiev’s proven quality, I’ve always liked Usyk in this matchup. At his best, the Ukrainian has terrific movement, his long game is excellent and he’s tricky out of that southpaw stance. From what I can see, Gassiev excels at close-to-mid range, but I just think he’ll struggle to slip past Usyk’s thrusts. The Russian power-puncher will have his moments, but I envision Usyk boxing his way to a close but clear unanimous decision. I don’t think either man can knock the other out – they both look bulletproof. ANSON WAINWRIGHT: USYK SD The two best cruiserweights in the world for all the marbles, with the added cherry on the top of The Ring belt being on the line. The fight I’m most looking forward to in all of boxing has all the makings of a classic. As I’m writing, I’m still on the fence, can easily make a case for both guys. Usyk is the more skilled guy, while Gassiev looks physically the stronger. Gassiev vs. Yunier Dorticos was the most impressive performance by anyone in the tournament so far. He looked formidable on that evening. If he can build and somehow improve on that Gassiev could well win. At the start of the tournament, I liked Usyk and I’m sticking with that prediction. Like he has in the previous two rounds, going to Germany to beat Marco Huck and Latvia to beat Mairis Briedis, he’ll be in his opponent’s backyard again. What I think may be key is Usyk’s amateur pedigree, that experience will be key and see him home by close split decision. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if they fought a draw and they had to use the extra judges to decide the winner. Sign me up for the rematch PAULIE MALIGNAGGI : GASSIEV KO I edge towards Gassiev. I think it’ll be a great fight but I have Gassiev by late stoppage. MATTY ASKIN (BOXER): USYK I think that Gassiev is very good but a little one dimensional whereas I think Usyk has a good boxing brain and a better technical boxer so I’m going for Usyk. It should be a great fight but I’m going for Usyk by points decision. KATHY DUVA (PROMOTER): USYK Obviously, this is a very close fight. I would be inclined to go with Usyk, if not for the venue. As I think he is stronger and more experienced in high pressure situations. Putting the fight in Russia, however, may not be to Usyk’s advantage. I will still pick Usyk, because I think he is very talented. But I would not be shocked if Gassiev manages to pull it out. ANDREW TABITI (BOXER): GASSIEV First I had Usyk favorite. Now I’m looking at the tournament, I’m starting to respect Gassiev’s boxing skills. I thought he was just a come-forward fighter, just hard punching, trying to get you out of there but when he fought Dorticos he was actually boxing real smart. Dorticos was the aggressor in the first half of the fight and he was boxing well in the later rounds he knocked him out. I can see the fight going either way, it could be 50-50. I feel Gassiev had a tough time – even though he beat Lebedev – with Lebedev, Lebedev was boxing Gassiev pretty good, southpaw, shorter. Usyk is a taller southpaw, Olympic gold medalist is gonna give Gassiev a hard time but he could knock him out too. That’s what I love about boxing, you never know who can win, it’s a toss-up. If I put my money down on the harder puncher and would put my money down in Gassiev because he’s the harder puncher. DUKE MCKENZIE : USYK MD The WBSS is the best thing to happen in a long time to boxing fans. We have a unification title fight in record time. Gassiev vs. Usyk is in my opinion fight of the year. Why because to unbeaten fighters both holding two belts each and you can make an argument for either winning. I think Usyk should squeeze home via a points victory, however, Gassiev is a predator more than just a puncher, whoever wins this would have had to go to hell and back to earn there win. MD Usyk. MARCO HUCK (BOXER): GASSIEV KO or USYK UD I think this will be a very good and interesting fight for boxing. Both are very tough competitive fighters, Both of them are strong and have good fundamentals. This fight will be beautiful to watch. Gassiev and I sparred in 2014, I know him well and he is a good boxer. I think this fight will be very competitive and both competitors are equally good to me. My prediction is either an early knockout win for Gassiev or Usyk wins by going the distance.

7y ago

Chrismart

David Price : Usyk will make Gassiev work at the pace he wants, by being constantly in range and pressuring with the front foot. He’ll take some licks along the way, but his engine will win him a close decision. To be honest, though, that is one of the hardest questions to answer because you could say the same for Gassiev! What a fight! Enzo Maccarinelli : A genuine 50/50 fight but Usyk to win in a tough fight – he might have to survive some shaky moments though. Peter Fury I really like Usyk, he’s a great boxer. I’ve not seen much of the other guy, but he will need to be very special to beat Usyk. Callum Johnson It’s a fight I'm looking forward to very much. I slightly favour Usyk. 1. Because I'm a big fan and 2. I just think he’ll have the tools to outpoint Gassiev. Very good fight! Michael Conlan I have loved Gassiev throughout this competition, he’s been an absolute beast. I do feel that Usyk’s movement will cause him major problems, but still I’m going for a late Gassiev stoppage! Jazza Dickens I love the style of Usyk. His work rate and heart can bring him through any test. I’m sticking with him all the way. Isaac Dogboe I would say that Gassiev is the stronger, come forward fighter, while Usyk is a more skilful boxer-puncher. I think Usyk wins on points… Or Gassiev by TKO!

7y ago