Usyk rather wants Bellew at CW, then Joshua...

[MDPopescu]

He's changed trainers twice recently, and the reason he gave for getting rid of his last coach - that he wasn't teaching him anything new - indicates that he knew he needed to improve.

He seems more controlled and balanced in his movements now than he used to be. I noticed him doing balance exercises while training for Gassiev in a video at the WBSS YT channel. Maybe that's something he's been focusing on with his new trainer, Russ Anber.

... isn't he training with Anatoly Lomachenko?...

[Armchairhero]

Bellew may prefer the fight at Cruiserweight too. He'll have a crack at all the titles. Unless he's got to hurt himself making 200 lbs maybe he'll want to go for the titles?

Sounds like this is next regardless. Not an overly competitive fight but one that will draw attention and give Usyk an opportunity to go and beat another respected fighter in his own backyard.

I’m pretty sure Bellew has stated that he wants the fight at cruiser for all the belts

[kafkod]

... and he will have to be a little reckless vs those three giants too -- because otherwise he will not land anything of notice...

Usyk cuts weight to fight at CW and is usually around 215lbs to 220lbs in the ring. He is 6' 3" with 78" reach.

Those are respectable stats for a modern HW, so he won't have too much of a size disadvantage against any top HW, except Tyson Fury. But everybody is at a size disadvantage vs Fury!

Coincidentally, Usyk has the same birthday as Muhammad Ali, and his physical stats are virually identical to those of prime Ali.

[Raonic]

Just because fighters say they will fight someone doesn't mean it will always be next...

[Banderivets]

... give me the link, please (Google does the translation)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsMdhPbn_o4

22nd minute

"If in cruiserweight I will have to put away the extra plate of pasta, if heavyweight I can eat the extra plate of pasta. I think in heavyweight it would be excellent. It would be my first step in this..."

And the Bellew comments afterwards saying he wants the belts at cruiser....

[Banderivets]

... isn't he training with Anatoly Lomachenko?...

He is...they are keeping it all very low key.

Loma and Papachenko are "helping" him, Russ is more of a front end guy, every day guy...

[kafkod]

... isn't he training with Anatoly Lomachenko?...

Papachenko was in his corner for the Gassiev fight, but Russ Anber, his cut man, was in charge of his camp and another guy - whose name I don't know how to spell - was introduced as Usyk's head trainer at the weigh in:

[MDPopescu]

He is...they are keeping it all very low key.

Loma and Papachenko are "helping" him, Russ is more of a front end guy, every day guy...

... very low key or not, recent Usyk's game really shows Papachenko's hand...

[kafkod]

He is...they are keeping it all very low key.

Loma and Papachenko are "helping" him, Russ is more of a front end guy, every day guy...

Do you know this guy, introduced as Usyk's head trainer at the weigh in for the final?

[MDPopescu]

Papachenko was in his corner for the Gassiev fight, but Russ Anber, his cut man, was in charge of his camp and another guy - whose name I don't know how to spell - was introduced as Usyk's head trainer at the weigh in:

then Papachenko was in his corner, but the cutman was in charge with the camp... OK...