Comments Thread For: Oleksandr Usyk Leads The Race For Fighter of The Year

[Citizen Koba]

Usyk is the correct choice. If not, Crawford. Becoming undisputed in any division isn't a feat easily accomplished.

I'd be inclined to put Loma above Bud if he beats Pedraza, simply because as duo Linares and Pedraza have to be rated higher than Horn and Benavidez... at the time of the fights Horn was per TBRB something like 5 or 6 and Benavidez nowhere in sight. Linares was #1 (actually #2 behind Mikey if Mikey had decided what division he was in) and Pedraza will be about #4, and although in my book he doesn't really belong there, he's done more to justify a ranking than Benavidez.

Inoue also (like Bud and Loma) moving up to a new weight and fighting two mid top 10 guys McDonnell and Payano (#4 and #5 respectively) also has an equally strong case in my book. It's looking unlikely he'll fight again this year now, due to the scheduling of the WBSS he might miss the traditional Japanese end of year cards, but had he done I would have said it might nose him ahead of Loma or Bud.

Another possible candidate at the lower weights is Dogboe - certainly if you're looking at the guy who exceeded expectations by the greatest margin he has to be considered. Coming out of nowhere he's beaten the Super Bantam #1 Magadaleno and 2 fringe contenders in Otake and Juarez... should he add another fringe top 10 guy in Navarette by KO it will count as one hell of year for the unheralded Ghanaian.

But yeah. Usyk for sure is #1 candidate right now.

[BoxingIsGreat]

I was thinking the same but Bud went undisputed in 2017.

Thanks, I didn't realize that. Seems so recent. In that case, Usyk all the way.

[BoxingIsGreat]

I'm no Bellew fan but I don't get saying Usyk beating him adds nothing to his resume.

It's kind of like a unification, Bellew was a CW champion before vacating and moving up to demolish Haye twice as an underdog. I see it as beating the last guy with any kind of influence at the top of the division

The Stevenson loss years ago in a weight class he was drained in has absolutely nothing to do with now

All that said, I think Usyk will box his ears off to a wide UD and Bellew will ride off into the sunset having accomplished more in his career than he probably should have

Who has Bellew beaten other than crippled, ancient Haye?

I don't get people who discount losses because the loser went on to beat a couple of OK/good fighters. Loma fans are famous for this. They are ready to jump down your throat at the mention of Salido!

What's Bellew best win?

In the end, we agree Usyk is gonna give him a boxing lesson.

War Usyk!

[TheCell8]

I don't know about that. Ortiz hasn't really done much to deserve as much praise as he gets.

Cuban School, undefeated yada yada.... you know how it goes.

It was a good win for Wilder, don't get me wrong. But Usyk becoming undispited, and then moving up to HW to beat Bellew should all but guarantee him FOTY.

[rolshans]

Hard to deny AJ, Loma and Wilder. Usyk's had a hell of a year. I just don't rate Bellew that highly.

[Removed Now]

And that guys is white privelag at its finest.

Who the fuuuccckk did Usyk beat that was as good as GGG???

Fuucking joke

Hell no Canelo doesn't deserve it. Nope.

[HI-TECH Boxing]

Cuban School, undefeated yada yada.... you know how it goes.

It was a good win for Wilder, don't get me wrong. But Usyk becoming undispited, and then moving up to HW to beat Bellew should all but guarantee him FOTY.

Ortiz wasn't even the best in Cuba. Was constantly getting beat by Solis.
It's a good win, but all three of the Usyk's opponents are more accomplished than Ortiz, even Bellew. Then you also add becoming undisputed and winning all of his fights in his opponent's backyard (assuming he beats Bellew), then I just think it's hard to argue against Usyk this year.

[sicko]

Lead...He is running away with it IMO

Briedis, Gassiev, Bellew in 1 year nobody is putting together a better year than that

Yeah I don't disagree with other post, Wilder beating Ortiz and Fury in 1 year would have a very strong case for it as well

[Shadoww702]

Hell no Canelo doesn't deserve it. Nope.

Why??? He's the only one with a win over a P4P top 5 and even 10.

Usyk is my first choice then Canelo.

[Shadoww702]

Lead...He is running away with it IMO

Briedis, Gassiev, Bellew in 1 year nobody is putting together a better year than that

Yeah I don't disagree with other post, Wilder beating Ortiz and Fury in 1 year would have a very strong case for it as well

I forgot about that?? If Wilder beats Fury then he should be #1.