Adding weight will just slow him down. He's not going to outmuscle the big HW's no matter what. He should stay as light as possible to keep his speed/movement.
I suspect he already fights at between 210 and 215 post rehydration. His mobility and stamina are two of his best assets so he really doesn't want to add much mass. 220 - 225 max I'd say.
After Gassiev he said he was 2-3 kilos heavier on fight night.
It can't be too heavy because then he'll lose a lot of his mobility and agility; Especially in the lower body. It's because if he becomes a flat-footed heavyweight, then he can run into some serious problems with huge punchers.
Will be great to see a really really good smaller HW fight these lumbering SHWs. I guess you could point to Wilder, but with his size and his relevant strengths and weaknesses, he fights like a SHW anyways.
Haye was probably the closest we’ve seen, but I was never that big on him. His CW run was overrated, and despite being athletic and explosive he never had a great ring IQ, his lack of fundamentals hurt him once he had to fight bigger guys.
Usyk doesn’t hit as hard, but that might not be a bad thing. When Haye couldn’t knock the HWs out, he struggled. Usyk is primarily a boxer who work you out and take away your weapons, while finding a home for his own. If he can avoid expending too much energy in the first 6, his stamina and boxing brain over the back 6 would be a nightmare for the likes of Joshua and Wilder. Whatever the result it would be intriguing to see.
After Gassiev he said he was 2-3 kilos heavier on fight night.
Mmm. Missed that one. So about 205, 206 maybe. That ain't really a great deal to gain, but he looks like a big guy in there, even compared to other cruisers. Sometimes I just can't square up a guys reported weight with how he looks in the ring - Froch was a prime example.
Maybe I'd revise my estimate of how heavy he should come to the ring down a little then... say 215 - 220. Dude doesn't want to be putting on too much mass I think.
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