Usyk will outclass AJ once he moves up to Heavyweight

[Simurgh]

Id be interested to see how hard AJ would be able to punch when his feet are confused and his opponent see's his punches much earlier. Power is nothing without timing, even if he is smaller, Usyk should be able to offset AJ's timing and have him second guessing where his target will be.

Wilder doesnt give a **** about timing, he just swings and over 12 it gives him a good chance of landing. But if Usyk keeps his composure and uses his eyes, i dont see any reason he cant see Wilders swings coming from a mile off.

Offensively im not too worried either. Sure he has some ground to make up in terms of reach, but his style allows his opponents to come to him before stepping in with combos and pivoting off to the side, he has a great control of range.

Not to say these fights arent extremely dangerous, but I would make him favourite over Wilder/Joshua after a couple HW tune ups. Fury is more difficult style match up at his best. Not sure how I picture that going

I am not arguing with the fact that Usyk is better and more skilfull fighter, but two things are worrying me.

he is not s big puncher even at the CW and it could be that his power isn’t enough to gain any respect from AJ or Wilder. Although he is not easy to hit, he can be hit - even Gassiev landed a few. If his chin isn’t iron I think he would very likly get stopped. I like Usyk, I like him a lot, but I am not sure how would he stop AJ/Wilder just walking him down. I don’t see that happening at HW regardless how light on his feets he is.

I cannot see it as analogy to Ali and Liston. Ali was a rangier with iron chin. Usyk is much smaller than these two giants.

[TysonFuryTBE]

Usyk would outclass AJ

[Tom Cruise]

I am not arguing with the fact that Usyk is better and more skilfull fighter, but two things are worrying me.

he is not s big puncher even at the CW and it could be that his power isn’t enough to gain any respect from AJ or Wilder. Although he is not easy to hit, he can be hit - even Gassiev landed a few. If his chin isn’t iron I think he would very likly get stopped. I like Usyk, I like him a lot, but I am not sure how would he stop AJ/Wilder just walking him down. I don’t see that happening at HW regardless how light on his feets he is.

I cannot see it as analogy to Ali and Liston. Ali was a rangier with iron chin. Usyk is much smaller than these two giants.

Until he proves it there will always be question marks, but weirdly I am not worried at all about his power. He punches crisply and the more static his opponent, the more leverage he gets into his shots. At HW I think we would see him not necersarily hurting opponents, but definitely snapping heads back and marking them up.

A long with his workrate I question how much punishment AJ or Wilder would have to walk through to land their punches if they just decided to march forward. And then you have to factor in stamina also, especially in Joshua's case, because Usyk will not stop throwing for 12 full rounds, and his concentration is superb.

Edit: Also, I agree Usyk isnt on the level of the smaller HWs of the past in terms of skills, but AJ/Wilder/Fury arent on the level of guys like (prime) Wlad or Lewis either. All 3 are very flawed.

[Chollo Vista]

Usyk was hurt very bad by Gassiev in his last fight... Kind of makes me question his punch resistance

Unfortunately, Gassiev was mentally defeated before the start of the fight and didn't capitalize when he had the chance. Oh well

I think Bellew has a shot because he actually believes he can win and won't make the same mistake Gassiev did

Joshua and Wilder will destroy Usyk like Tyson did spinks

[Simurgh]

Until he proves it there will always be question marks, but weirdly I am not worried at all about his power. He punches crisply and the more static his opponent, the more leverage he gets into his shots. At HW I think we would see him not necersarily hurting opponents, but definitely snapping heads back and marking them up.

A long with his workrate I question how much punishment AJ or Wilder would have to walk through to land their punches if they just decided to march forward. And then you have to factor in stamina also, especially in Joshua's case, because Usyk will not stop throwing for 12 full rounds, and his concentration is superb.

Valid points. Would love to see it. I just hope it will happen in the next 12-18 months while Usyk is still in his prime. If he slows down, his output or stamina go down, he would loose the one thing that gives him a chance.

Usyk is in his prime and I think he has 2 years max at this peak level. I hope he uses these 2 years well.

[baroidi]

too small, Uysk will pitter patter to win some early rounds but will eventually get caught by Joshua. Usyk has no power in HW to worry any of top guys.

[Kezzer]

Would be another great fight. I think the test may well be similar to Povetkin, what happens once Joshua does connect?

[elfag]

Usyk is 6-3 and 78" reach

AJ is 6-6 with an 82" reach

Pov is 6-2 and 75" reach


AJ is in the 240s though so even if Usyk moves back up he will still be a lot smaller. I havent paid much attention to him but watching some clips, his upper body movement is good and he is fast but something about his legs is off, he darts/jumps around and it isnt smooth, if AJ counters him, he will get dropped with his legs like that.

Usyk is 3 years older, so I think his window is limited and he needs to start his move up after his Bellow fight if he wants to go after AJ. If AJ's balls ever drop and he fights Bombsquad, he is getting stopped as well so that could happen too.

[boliodogs]

Povetkin revealed a lot of holes in AJ's game. Good power but technically very average.AJ gets exposed by old fighters

He can beat Wilder too. Lots of holes in Wilder's game. Most of the great heavyweights of the past were really cruiserweights no bigger than Usyk and some were smaller.

[RyanjLarose]

I honestly believe he will make todays HW's look like they are walking through treacle.

Fury is the X factor if he can get back to his best. Usyk doesnt look as good when he has to close the gap, and the height/reach difference would be insane.

I would make Usyk a good favourite against Joshua and Wilder after a couple HW tune ups.

had to google this lol...hilarious the saying here is "slow as molasses"