Usyk may actually be the Heavyweight Goat

[Elastic Recoilz]

I hold this opinion as well. His movement, agility, IQ, shot selection, angles and speed would present most fighters, past and present with problems. His skillset is so high that he'd most likely negate the strongest attribute that any other heavyweight had. The only possible weakness that's been on show so far is a vulnerability to the body but even that has not been enough to have him in significant danger of losing. Kabayal vs Usyk is an interesting fight and while I think Kabayal would enjoy success to the body, Usyk is intelligent enough to make the necessary adjustment pretty quickly,

Time will tell but yeah I think Usyk is definitely in GOAT territory.

[Bennyleonard99]

Arguably Usyk was beaten by Briedis - split decision controversy. Dubois - knockdown controversy. And the Chisora fight could have been a draw if Chisora won just one more round on the judges scorecards. He's a great fighter, but just as beatable as any other great fighter. No one is unbeatable. With different refs and judges on those nights, Usyk could easily have 2 losses and 1 draw right now.

True but he has the 0 and as an Eastern European he certainly did not have the establishment (western based USA UK) on his side. The politics were against him yet he has still always prevailed. A lot of greats had close fights that went their way - Ali Norton, Holmes Witherspoon, Lewis Holy 2, etc. Yet Usyk is the one who never laid an egg. I think he's vastly underrated and under appreciated. He's a heavyweight miracle.

[Bennyleonard99]

I hold this opinion as well. His movement, agility, IQ, shot selection, angles and speed would present most fighters, past and present with problems. His skillset is so high that he'd most likely negate the strongest attribute that any other heavyweight had. The only possible weakness that's been on show so far is a vulnerability to the body but even that has not been enough to have him in significant danger of losing. Kabayal vs Usyk is an interesting fight and while I think Kabayal would enjoy success to the body, Usyk is intelligent enough to make the necessary adjustment pretty quickly,

Time will tell but yeah I think Usyk is definitely in GOAT territory.

Well said. He has faced such a diverse range of talents and always overcome them. Father Time will eventually beat him if he lingers too long. I think Dubois could be his last fight but he can't say it otherwise the judges could be rigged to favor Dubois.

[Bennyleonard99]

I don't know about 'greatest', others like Ali, Lewis etc have that longevity to make it difficult for Usyk to ever catch them...

BUT he's probably the best. Historically there just aren't many Southpaw Heavies - Never mind one that moves, creates angles and has the energy and work rate of Usyk.

He gives EVERYONE in history fits and probably beats them all.

Fully agree. Usyk is low key and his aura is short of sensational and spectacular but he just keeps getting the job done. In a Joe Louis, Derek Jeter, Pete Sampras, Lennox Lewis, Mario Lemeiux kind of understated way. He's some kind of rfstic genius that mere mortals like us really can't comprehend. He is an incredible role model and probably will inspire future generations of more great hwts by his example.

[TMLT87]

Great fighter, but the guy has had 7 fights at HW, against 5 opponents, 4 of them come from the UK.

Head to head hes probably going to give every HW ever a good fight, but resume wise? no ****ing way can he be called HW GOAT off the back of what hes done, not even close.

[DeeMoney]

How does what he did at Cruiserweight make him the heavyweight GOAT?

[NihonJim]

How does what he did at Cruiserweight make him the heavyweight GOAT?

His fans are desperate to add them in because they know Shot Fury and Shot AJ do not an ATG resume make.

If you ignore "star power" and look at the form, there's a very real argument if Usyk wins on the weekend that Dubois 2 would be his best win.

Yes I'm serious.

And people want to say he's the best ever with a best win of Dubois?

God forbid if Usyk LOSES then that would mean he never beat any heavyweight who was in their prime.

[dan_cov]

He is the Cruiserweight GOAT and a fantastic HW and while I have no doubt he would do exceptionally well going head-to-head with other great HWs of the past he simply doesn't have the depth to his resume or the accomplishments at HW to be seriously considered the GOAT and neither does he have the time or the competition available.

[NihonJim]

He is the Cruiserweight GOAT and a fantastic HW and while I have no doubt he would do exceptionally well going head-to-head with other great HWs of the past he simply doesn't have the depth to his resume or the accomplishments at HW to be seriously considered the GOAT and neither does he have the time or the competition available.

See I do have doubt.

Do you really think Ali, Foreman, Lewis, Evander and co would have ANY problems with those versions of AJ and Fury?

AJ been ****ting himself every time he gets in the ring since Ruiz and Fury physically shot to bits and lost to novice Ngannou.

I get that you can only fight who's around at the time but Usyks peers are terrible and he's not blowing them out of the water, he wins 8-4 or 7-5 every time and the fights are competitive.

Lewis would do AJ like Michael Grant, and Fury wouldn't do a lot better.

I think people underestimate how bad this era is.

[TheIronMike]

Usyk doesnt even beat Tim Witherspoon, keep your mouth closed and shut up