Holyfield-Usyk at cruiser...who wins and why

[Larry the boss]

post and discuss

[just the facts]

Holyfield. Usyk is a quality fighter too but he does nothing better than Holyfield did.

[champion4ever]

Holyfield and its not even close.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Holyfield by decision IMO. I think eventually his physicality, determination and toughness would allow him win a highly technical but ultimately attritional battle.

[Citizen Koba]

Damn, man, that's a toughy. Evander gets inside and he's gonna chew Oleksandr up (metaphorically of course ), but one of Usyks strengths - for a big man - is his mobility and range control. Ultimately control of distance is what this one comes down to. Both men displayed fantastic determination throughout their careers and a willingness to dig deep, Usyk maybe faced the overall tougher opposition at Cruiser but some could say Qawi was better than any of Usyks opponents (myself I ain't so sure) and Holy's wins were mostly more decisive...

Also factor in the weights - in fact this is very significant - I think Usyk couldn't make 190, or at least we've no idea how he'd look, but at 200 Holy would be pretty much his HW fighting weight with rehydration and since he's proven at HW and Usyk isn't...

Ummm. Yeah, partly swings on that. As of right now I have to favour a 200lb Evander over a 200lb Usyk and if we're talking over 15 rounds it'd have to be Evander all day since once again we know that he can go 15.

Might have to revise that dependent on how Usyk looks going forward into HW though and on what kinda weight he comes to the ring.

Always hard to tell with this kinda fantasy stuff though, there's always a temptation to rate the legend more highly and objectivitiy ain't easy when matching active fighters against legends, although my gut feeling has always been that elites from any era would be competitive with those from any other, allowing for the ways in which the sport has changed over the years.

[_Rexy_]

190 or 200??

[IronDanHamza]

Good fight but you have to go with Holyfield here.

[Get em up]

Holyfield with an iron chin and AMAZING skill set beats Usyk by decision

[champion4ever]

Who has Oleksandr Usyk defeated at Cruiserweight that Evander Holyfield couldn't? That tells us all we to know about that potential matchup.

[therealpugilist]

Holyfield....to busy, accurate and physically strong at the weight, if he cant outbox you he will outfight you...also his counterpunching ability will ensure he lands the cleaner shots

UD in a close but clear win for the real deal