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Usyk fan here. So a grain of salt, as my fandom is showing.
I realize AJ is, and should be, the heavy (see what I did there?) favorite. There seems to be such glee in AJ losing to Ruiz that people apparently did not notice he adjusted well to being the bigger man in the rematch. Sure, Ruiz decided not to train. But I felt going into the rematch all AJ had to do was remember he was the bigger, taller fighter and box smart and he would win a wide decision. He is the natural HW, he has 1 punch KO power, and he has been tested against more legit HW than any 200+ fighter going today.
But Usyk is here at HW for a reason. Sure, the extra coin he makes is nice. He probably made more in 2 fights at HW than he did the entire CW tournament he won. I mean, who wouldn't like more money? But I think it is the challenge of proving doubters wrong. Usyk adjusts well in fight. He throws punches from all angles, and has a slick defense that invites his opponent to come throw bombs, all the while he is countering while denying flush contact. Usyk has yet to be hurt. Chisora is not at AJ's level, but he is at AJ's power punches and Usyk handled it and still fought his fight. For all people say he did not impress, did anyone actually have Chisora ahead at any part of that fight? He has had time to adjust to being 200+, and he will be his best version of himself. AJ is robotic in the ring. His head movement is non-existent, his boxing stance very traditional. Usyk will be able to score, he will be able to win rounds.
I do think AJ will have more ways to beat Usyk than the other way around. He can KO him. He can hurt him, put Usyk on the defensive, and out-point him. He go into a shell defense and just use his longer arms to jab him to death, never risking a thing. But AJ walking right through Usyk means he is being aggressive, and that will be playing into what Usyk does best,
Usyk is feel. Very, very feel.
I realize AJ is, and should be, the heavy (see what I did there?) favorite. There seems to be such glee in AJ losing to Ruiz that people apparently did not notice he adjusted well to being the bigger man in the rematch. Sure, Ruiz decided not to train. But I felt going into the rematch all AJ had to do was remember he was the bigger, taller fighter and box smart and he would win a wide decision. He is the natural HW, he has 1 punch KO power, and he has been tested against more legit HW than any 200+ fighter going today.
But Usyk is here at HW for a reason. Sure, the extra coin he makes is nice. He probably made more in 2 fights at HW than he did the entire CW tournament he won. I mean, who wouldn't like more money? But I think it is the challenge of proving doubters wrong. Usyk adjusts well in fight. He throws punches from all angles, and has a slick defense that invites his opponent to come throw bombs, all the while he is countering while denying flush contact. Usyk has yet to be hurt. Chisora is not at AJ's level, but he is at AJ's power punches and Usyk handled it and still fought his fight. For all people say he did not impress, did anyone actually have Chisora ahead at any part of that fight? He has had time to adjust to being 200+, and he will be his best version of himself. AJ is robotic in the ring. His head movement is non-existent, his boxing stance very traditional. Usyk will be able to score, he will be able to win rounds.
I do think AJ will have more ways to beat Usyk than the other way around. He can KO him. He can hurt him, put Usyk on the defensive, and out-point him. He go into a shell defense and just use his longer arms to jab him to death, never risking a thing. But AJ walking right through Usyk means he is being aggressive, and that will be playing into what Usyk does best,
Usyk is feel. Very, very feel.
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