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

[BrankoB]

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).

I have a feeling that one of the guys on your list will claim Usyk's scalp in the next couple of years if he continues fighting (Bakole, Itauma, Pero, Dubois).

[Oregonian]

After Gilberto Ramirez got beat up by Bivol, I thought that was the beginning of the end for him. Looks like he’s made a career at Cruiser weight. Props to him.

[budfr]

Usyk? He only had two wins vs the same guy. Just because he is Ukranian?? Bam Rodriguez , much better fighter, winning in different weight classes, Canelo Alvarez beating younger, undefeated fighters in Berlanga and Munguia, Zepeda, Inoue, all of them better resumes than Usyk.

[budfr]

After Gilberto Ramirez got beat up by Bivol, I thought that was the beginning of the end for him. Looks like he’s made a career at Cruiser weight. Props to him.

Gilberto Rodriguez did not get beat up by Bivol, he was not KOed nor cut. He lost because Zurdo was weight drain and did not train at all ( not Bivol´s fault of course ) but that´s the reason. Zurdo is better than Bivol, even Canelo. Now if Bivol moves up or down at least 4 divisions to show his craft, OK but that coward only stays in his comfort zone trying to win by points. Zurdo Ramirez obliterated the common foes he and Bivol has, while Bivol barely won. Gilberto Ramirez has fought in 168, 175, 200....Caneo 147, 154, 160, 168, 175. Bam Rodriguez has moved up and down in 3 divisions in a short time frame. Bivol, like GGG are disciplined cowards.

[Toffee]

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.

I'm not directly comparing Fury and Valuev. Just the concept that bigger beats big even though the skill level gradually diminishes. Fury is skilled for a big man, but he's a long way from the 'moves like a middleweight' claims of many. In fact, he's pretty clumsy in his footwork - as you'd expect from a 6ft 9 fighter.

That's how we got to this era of super heavyweights, and it's how we got back to the beginning of the cycle. Eventually the biggest man gets done by a more skillful smaller man.

[MastaBlasta]

I have a feeling that one of the guys on your list will claim Usyk's scalp in the next couple of years if he continues fighting (Bakole, Itauma, Pero, Dubois).

I would take Itauma and Pero off your list (for now), but add Kabayel. He, Bakole, and Dubois are the immediate future with the edge going to Dubois or Bakole.

[Oregonian]

Gilberto Rodriguez did not get beat up by Bivol, he was not KOed nor cut. He lost because Zurdo was weight drain and did not train at all ( not Bivol´s fault of course ) but that´s the reason. Zurdo is better than Bivol, even Canelo. Now if Bivol moves up or down at least 4 divisions to show his craft, OK but that coward only stays in his comfort zone trying to win by points. Zurdo Ramirez obliterated the common foes he and Bivol has, while Bivol barely won. Gilberto Ramirez has fought in 168, 175, 200....Caneo 147, 154, 160, 168, 175. Bam Rodriguez has moved up and down in 3 divisions in a short time frame. Bivol, like GGG are disciplined cowards.

———-
Perhaps I was harsh on Zurdo but I watched the fight and Zurdo probably won just one round.
That said, a loss is a loss is a loss.

When you say Zurdo lost because he was “weight drained and did not train”, you are saying two things. Zurdo is lazy and instead of moving up, he bullies others.

But but but, when David Haye lost to Wladimir, it was because of his broken toe.
When PAC lost to Floyd, it was because of his rotator calf.
When PAC got destroyed by Marquez, it was a lucky punch.
When Nonito got beat by Rigondeux, it was his shoulder injury.
And when Zurdo lost to Bivol, it was because he was weight drained and did not train.

We should accept every other boxer’s loss when they give us the excusable reasons.

When you start insulting other boxers, it means you just don’t like them but to use your words, I guess the ATG Marvin Hagler was a coward because he fought at one weight class his whole career, amiright?

Lastly, Bivol beat the ATG Canelo easily. Can you list anyone that Zurdo beat who is an ATG? Just one.

[Joseph]

No argument from me.

[Joseph]

Zurdo is better than Bivol

I will freely admit that I am coming around on Zurdo. I think he looks great - and possibly unbeatable (we'll see how he handles Opetai) - at Cruiser. A definite rejuvenation.

Better that Bivol? In no known universe would I ever consider that.

[siablo14]

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.

Blue - what are they?