'Sniffles' Dubois Still Needs Someone To Wipe His Nose.

[NihonJim]

The only way he's not next is if Usyk loses to Dubois which would point to a trilogy or if Usyk retires. I don't see either happening. The WBO is next in the mandatory rotation, Parker has their interim strap, and Parker would easily be the biggest name left of the contenders Usyk hasn't already beaten.

Personally I think Usyk vacates after Dubois, but that's not a bad thing for Parker, optically it's not his problem if Usyk doesn't fight him, and he will be in the prime position to take the division over, it's a win win.

[famicommander]

Personally I think Usyk vacates after Dubois, but that's not a bad thing for Parker, optically it's not his problem if Usyk doesn't fight him, and he will be in the prime position to take the division over, it's a win win.

Why would he vacate it? Parker is the biggest fish left in the division and Usyk has never shied away from a challenge.

[NihonJim]

Why would he vacate it? Parker is the biggest fish left in the division and Usyk has never shied away from a challenge.

Because Usyk is getting old and he's an intelligent guy.

He's past his prime years, Dubois in a few months he can probably get by especially as he has Intel on Dubois having fought him before.

This new version of Parker is a totally different stylistic challenge for a 40 year old Usyk who is 4 or 5 years past his best, and I don't see Usyk risking it. The day when Usyk loses to a fighter he would have beaten 5 years ago is coming any day now, Usyk is smart, he will get out at the right time.

[famicommander]

Because Usyk is getting old and he's an intelligent guy.

He's past his prime years, Dubois in a few months he can probably get by especially as he has Intel on Dubois having fought him before.

This new version of Parker is a totally different stylistic challenge for a 40 year old Usyk who is 4 or 5 years past his best, and I don't see Usyk risking it. The day when Usyk loses to a fighter he would have beaten 5 years ago is coming any day now, Usyk is smart, he will get out at the right time.

I don't think Usyk looks any worse now than he did 2 or 3 years ago, and I'd still easily favor him over Parker.

[NihonJim]

I don't think Usyk looks any worse now than he did 2 or 3 years ago, and I'd still easily favor him over Parker.

He looks a lot worse to me, he takes breaks during rounds a lot now, he masks it well and he got away with it vs Fury because he's fat and his gas tank is going down as well.

If he fights a younger guy who won't let him take breaks when he wants to he is going to start shipping punishment.

Parker is a 12 round fighter with very solid punch resistance and the fast hands Usyk has seen at heavyweight, he presents a threat to Usyk, I'd still favor Usyk but Parker is dangerous.

[RingoKid]

Parker isnt gonna play funny buggers like Fury or quit like Dubois did.

He's gonna turn up, take everything Usyk has to offer and give him the fight of his life.

[NihonJim]

Parker has had one of the most impressive runs I’ve seen from a boxer. Solid use of movement, much like Usyk. And we know that Usyk can be caught clean.

I think Usyk has more tricks in the bag though.

The decrease in stamina is where my concern for Usyk is

In both fury fights in the mid rounds Usyk looked to be flagging, but what saved him was Fury's stamina fell off a cliff in those mid rounds.

I think vs a younger guy who has a full 12 rounds in them there's a real risk that Usyks second wind just doesn't arrive at the age of 40.

[famicommander]

The decrease in stamina is where my concern for Usyk is

In both fury fights in the mid rounds Usyk looked to be flagging, but what saved him was Fury's stamina fell off a cliff in those mid rounds.

I think vs a younger guy who has a full 12 rounds in them there's a real risk that Usyks second wind just doesn't arrive at the age of 40.

Fury is an enormous man who makes it part of his gameplan to hold, maul, put his weight on his opponents. Parker fights a style much more familiar and natural for Usyk to go up against.

[LG Motel 22]

So did the Turk had a change of heart last minute and decided he had to see Dubois get outclassed by Usyk again and didn’t wanna risk that with the Parker fight. Or he’s popped positive and had to pull out so they didn’t reveal it. Gotta be one of these, haven’t heard a squeak outta team Dubois on what sickness he had.

[NihonJim]

Fury is an enormous man who makes it part of his gameplan to hold, maul, put his weight on his opponents. Parker fights a style much more familiar and natural for Usyk to go up against.

Fury is slow and flat footed these days with pretty bad stamina and CTE, his last good performance was Wilder 2 which is 5 years ago.

Fury knew he was past it which is why he was desperate to avoid the Usyk fight.

Parkers is in good form and in his prime, he's a harder fight than Fury at this stage.