Comments Thread For: Its Unanimous: Oleksandr Usyk is BoxingScenes 2024 Fighter of the Year

[BoxingUpdates]

As 2024 closed out, we were all talking about Oleksandr Usyk. The southpaw Ukrainian maestro has been unbeatable as a pro.
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[IAMTHAT]

Good choice … happy new years to everyone.

[photostat]

Very nice summary. It will be hard for the heavyweight division to replace the two dance partners Usyk and Fury when they decide to call
it quits. Very technical with great engines and heart to match - world class.

Looking forward to Q1 2025, as there are some very good bouts scheduled.

[Bob]

Time will tell,
Congratulations to Usyk on his achievements, truly remarkable.

But I'm not convinced, is this ageing era of heavyweights that bad? Or is Usyk that good?

[landotter]

Usyk was obvious. But I do think my man Beterbiev has an argument. He did not overcome nearly as much as Usyk did, as he and Bivol were so evenly matched. But he did it the way most of us felt he couldn't: By winning a very close decision against Bivol in a technical masterclass by both men. Throw in the Callum Smith destruction and overcoming a major injury, that was a gut check year for the adopted Canadian who is older by any definition for a fighter.

I also appreciate Boxing Scene for helping me out, as all I could remember was "..who was that dude with the massive last name? That guy had a great year." Bakhram Murtazaliev,. I need to put some respect on that man and learn his name.

Ramirez also had 2 convincing wins over respectable opponents. He deserves some flowers.

[SteveM]

Very nice summary. It will be hard for the heavyweight division to replace the two dance partners Usyk and Fury when they decide to call
it quits. Very technical with great engines and heart to match - world class.

Looking forward to Q1 2025, as there are some very good bouts scheduled.

It might be hard as they have unique qualities - Fury his size and mobility and Usyk his stamina, footwork, ring IQ, timing and chin - but there will be others who come in and rise to the top and I'm excited to see them - can't wait for Bakole to be matched hard again (ajagba isn't it), Moses Itauma and Dainier Pero, Dubois (already there - fantastic resume at early age having fought Joshua and Usyk).

[Toffee]

Time will tell,
Congratulations to Usyk on his achievements, truly remarkable.

But I'm not convinced, is this ageing era of heavyweights that bad? Or is Usyk that good?

They were never that bad. Just big, which means the skill level drops.

I remember a post a few years ago asked whether we'd ever see a 'regular sized' heavyweight champion again. I posted that this was just a cycle... A good big 'un beats a good little 'un. Bigger will keep winning until they get too big and then a smaller guy will exploit the skill gap.

We might now see some more skillful, faster heavyweights come to the fore rather than a lumbering 6ft 9 bloke. Fury was just this era's Valuev.

To answer the question on Usyk. If you're double undisputed and you actually fought the main protagonists of the era and won, then you're that good.

[Dolor]

Fury was just this era's Valuev.

To answer the question on Usyk. If you're double undisputed and you actually fought the main protagonists of the era and won, then you're that good.

Comparing Valuev to Fury is a bit unfair. Fury is technically very good despite his size (which -at least in terms of reach- he only really utilized well against Klitschko).

Fully agree with the second paragraph though. Many people seem to forget that when they judge (i.e., try to discredit) Usyk. Unlike so many other boxers that just moved up to snatch a belt from the weakest title holder, Usyk fought and beat the two top guys.

[Mammoth]

Most deserved........

[The D3vil]

Well deserved.