Comments Thread For: Oleksandr Usyk ?a great in any generation,? says Frank Warren

[ONOFF]

Let’s speak plainly here, what was the better heavyweight era, the 1970s or this era?

As I already said above, nostalgia is a seductive liar...but anyone with a shred of honesty must admit that it's easy to dismiss any boxing era. I don't think it's cliché to say that the most effective lies are the ones we tell ourselves. Knowing this, I see no rationale for exclusively dismissing a specific era. It's all subjective, nothing more..Most of the time driven by emotion or because it comforts us in our biases.

The '70s weren't objectively better. If you say: "yes" , it's only because of an emotional attachment to the era...even if you weren't born in it. It's easy to idealize the past or view it through rose-tinted lenses, in other words , through emotionally charged memories that blur reality. A favorite fighter, a childhood hero, or watching bouts with your old man… these aren’t just recollections, they’re emotional anchors.

But they don’t help us assess any era objectively, they trick us into believing it was better simply because we were happier, younger, or more impressionable.
But that doesn’t mean the era itself was superior. it means our relationship to it was. And that’s the trap.

Any kid, teenager, or adult living through today’s era—especially if they’re Ukrainian—will likely grow up viewing Oleksandr Usyk not just as a boxer, but as a national hero. To them, he’s the GOAT, the man who gave their people a semblance of hope amid a time of great struggle.

Carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Usyk’s victories were more than just sporting achievements, know what i mean ?

There will never be another Ali, not because his talent and skills were unmatched or because he faced the greatest competition ever (that’s the myth we tell ourselves), but because of the unique combination of era, timing, and personality that shaped him.

[ONOFF]

Could Muhammad Ali have beaten fighters like Lennox Lewis, Usyk, the Klitschko brothers, Tyson Fury, Mike Tyson, or Holyfield? The honest answer is ?...We don’t know. Let’s take it further: could Ali have defeated the gatekeepers of any era? Fighters like Chisora, Brewster, Povetkin, Tua, Byrd, Ibragimov, Rahman, or Maskaev, to name a few? We might laugh and dismiss these comparisons as insulting, but let’s be real for a moment.

Ali nearly lost to a fighter 22 pounds lighter...Henry Cooper, standing 6'1" and weighing just 185 pounds. Then there’s Foreman, often cited as a counterpoint, but Foreman himself lost to Jimmy Young. Are we supposed to believe that Henry Cooper or Jimmy Young would dominate today’s heavyweight division?

I know these are extreme examples, but they illustrate the point: every era has flaws and vulnerabilities, and every legend’s myth can be questioned. Every reputation is open to scrutiny.


How about Dempsey ? "The Giant Killer." another legendary boxer but again, is it reasonable to compare Jess Willard to a Tyson Fury or even a mummy like Valuev ? Have you guys seen the tapes ?

[The Big Dunn]

I think it clear Usyk is an ATG and would be successful in any era.

[IceTrayDaGang]

I think it clear Usyk is an ATG and would be successful in any era.

Agreed... i think he would have been a force to be reckoned with during Ali's era.

[Dr Z]

Promoter Frank Warren sang the praises of Oleksandr Usyk after the unified heavyweight champion's win over Daniel Dubois on Saturday at London's Wembley Stadium.
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Very likely. His stamina is about as good as it gets, being able to go 12 rounds while keeping moving with little breaks. This near superpower is complemented by fast footwork which is very scientific. His balance is excellent. His guard is good and he offers some head movement. And he can roll with the punches.

Offensively he is very accurate, and has underrated power. Few had quicker hands.

This is all wrapped up in one package that includes a good chin, and enough height, reach and weight to fight just about anyone.

Did I mention he is a southpaw?

Who would I compare this boxing unicorn to? Hmmm... A larger version of Gene Tunney?

[TheProudLunatic]

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He'd beat the Alex Stewart's, Burt Cooper's, and most guys Mike Tyson beat (Holmes schools Usyk)
I can't see him beating Holmes, Ali, Lewis, Vit, Holy, Bowe, Wlad (once he learned how to avoid telegraphed shots), Tua, Ike, Byrd might outsmart Usyk......

Speaking of Mike Tyson, he was the baddest man on Earth until he fought a legit opponent
Then it was all "He wasn't prime....."
Usyk is shining mostly because this HW era is complete shlt.
AJ and Fury will be the only other names mentioned 10+ years from now......MAYBE Wilder

[pollywog]

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AJ and Fury will be the only other names mentioned 10+ years from now......MAYBE Wilder

Lol...AJ will be remembered for being the Re-matchroom guy who chucked Usyk's belts out the ring and got splattered by Dubois in his comeback.

[TheProudLunatic]

Lol...AJ will be remembered for being the Re-matchroom guy who chucked Usyk's belts out the ring and got splattered by Dubois in his comeback.

To think
AJ's future was permanently altered because he went in face first vs Andy (after the KD).
Had he been less eager, who knows

[pollywog]

To think
AJ's future was permanently altered because he went in face first vs Andy (after the KD).
Had he been less eager, who knows

Ahhh how could i forget that memorable experience.

AJ quitting in the corner and refusing to step forward vs Fat Andy 1.

And then there was the twinkle toes exhibition in the rematch where he danced rings round the even fatter Andy.

Good times, great memories. What a legacy!!!