Can Oleksandr Usyk grow into a heavyweight contender?

[Tom Cruise]

No but he's 6'9" and awkward. His size and style alone make it difficult for opponents.

I think it's hard for a cruiserweight to jump up to heavyweight today. Not saying it can't be done but this isn't like it was in the past. The average modern day heavyweight is a different beast altogether in terms of size, compared to the past.

Usyk would be more skilled, but would he even be as mobile with an extra 25lbs or whatever he might weigh? who knows.

I'd like to see it, but given the size of the likes of Joshua, i think it'd be a case of the size/strength/power being too difficult to overcome, despite the difference in skills.

He wont be stacking on 25lbs will he?

He already weighs like 210lbs or so fight night, maybe add a bit of weight to get to 215/220.

He will be rapid at HW.

Big question is whether he can get to round 6-12 without taking too much damage, when most big HW's start to slow and tire. If he can do that, we could really see him start to put his foot down.

His defence is his biggest issue. He has good feet, but a pretty basic defence and that could hurt him if he gets trapped in the pocket with a really powerful strong HW

[Cutthroat]

Does Fury have power tho?

Yes. Fury sports a 72% KO ratio at heavy where guys are more durable.

Usyk is a cumulative puncher, Fury has superior single shot power, plus he's 6'9 with an 85" reach. Not really comparable.

[paulf]

Without a doubt. He's 6'3 and has a huge frame.

My one curiosity is about his power. He he pulling his punches a la Floyd Mayweather or do his punches not quite have enough on them to keep a heavyweight off? Time will tell.

[Cutthroat]

Doesn't have the style or power to beat the top dogs at heavy.

Usyk is a cumulative puncher with a sub par defense, it takes time for him to break opponents down and he's vulnerable while doing so. In a division where guys can change a fight with a single punch, HW, he doesn't have that advantage. Doesn't posses an outstanding reach either.

He also gives up his size advantage which he really depends on at cruiser against smaller guys.

I could see him breaking in the top 10 but not in the top 5, he could be taken out by several fighters in the top 15.

[Thraxox]

Doesn't have the style or power to beat the top dogs at heavy.

Usyk is a cumulative puncher with a sub par defense, it takes time for him to break opponents down and he's vulnerable while doing so. In a division where guys can change a fight with a single punch, HW, he doesn't have that advantage. Doesn't posses an outstanding reach either.

He also gives up his size advantage which he really depends on at cruiser against smaller guys.

I could see him breaking in the top 10 but not in the top 5, he could be taken out by several fighters in the top 15.

You don't know what sub par means. Elite fighters of the division like Glowacki-Huck where barely able to land on Usyk, Other than Breidis who is the clear no.2 division Usyk was rarely hit.

You don't know WTF you are talking about.

If you want to talk sub-par defense how about Ward getting hit with the likes of Barrera-Alexander brand often in rounds?

[Robbie Barrett]

Usyks style won't work against bigger, stronger, harder hitting fighters. He's not a big puncher at CW, he will be even less at HW.

[sweeterscience]

I think so. I think he could beat Parker for sure. Parker is the John Ruiz of the HW division. Only thing I worry about is his power and chin. How will his power translate to HW and how good is his chin at HW? But his skills are so far ahead of anyone at HW right now he could Chris Byrd his way to a HW title.

I definitely agree with you about Parker. After Usyk fights Gassiev up the road, a Parker fight could be a nice, low-risk coming out party in the HW division. Hell, Gassiev is a real 6-foot-4, depending on how a fight between him and Usyk goes, they could rematch at heavyweight and put a ton of Eastern Euro Euros in the bank.

[Robbie Barrett]

I definitely agree with you about Parker. After Usyk fights Gassiev up the road, a Parker fight could be a nice, low-risk coming out party in the HW division. Hell, Gassiev is a real 6-foot-4, depending on how a fight between him and Usyk goes, they could rematch at heavyweight and put a ton of Eastern Euro Euros in the bank.

Low risk?

If that fight happens my money is going on Parker. Doesn't have the power to hurt Parker, isn't elusive enough to avoid getting hit and won't have a size advantage.

[BattlingNelson]

He will eventually move up that's fairly certain. Heavyweight is where the money is.

But let's see if he wins the WBSS first. For sure that's not a lock.

[Dip_Slide]

He could do well but we can never tell right now. He has all the skills in the world and he could take a punch. I know heavyweight is a different story but he still can do it if he does things the right way and gives himself time before he jumps in there with the super heavyweights. I don't see why he wouldn't be able to outbox Wilder after 2-3 fights at heavyweight and Joshua after like 5 fights.

Evander Holyfield was smaller than Usyk and he was one of the best heavyweights ever, he also came from cruiserweight. He held his own very well against the best super heavyweight of all times in Lennox Lewis, who skill and experience-wise was light years ahead of the top big heavyweights now, and Usyk will net engage in unnecessary wars like Holyfield. If Usyk wants it and he's focused he can do it