Usyk at Heavyweight

[smashup]

So how far can he go against the top Heavyweights?

[Mark TKO]

Just been thinking same thing.

Last night was first time I’d seen him fight - have watched highlight reels.

Just looking at the Ring top ten heavies and I’d pick him to beat 5/6 of them no problem.

It’s when you get to the bigger ones as Bellew said in post fight interview. Don’t think he could handle Fury with his physical superiority.

Usyk v Povetkin would be interesting.

[mikeeod]

I see Usyk at heavy similar to what Chris Byrd was back in the late 90s and early 2000s: a mobile, fast, skilled, defensive specialist who wins on defense and volume more than punching power. I do feel that Usyk has more punching power than Byrd, but am not confident that his punch will have the same affect at heavy. Byrd won alphabet titles and beat some good heavyweights, but other than when Vitali hurt his shoulder was unable to beat the super heavies (also getting destroyed by Ibeabuchi, who was not a super heavy but was a beast).

I would like to readdress after he has a couple of fights at the weight, but if I have to pick right now I think huge heavies like AJ, Wilder, and Fury May be just a little too big. If his punch is effective at heavy, however, I may change my mind because the guy will easily be the most skilled at the weight.

[powerpuncher]

I think he at absolute worst he is bottom half of top ten HWs. More realistically, he is top 5. I have a feeling though that he would give trouble to even the super heavyweights. I’m not sure if he will have enough to to keep them off.

Chris Byrd is a good comparison. Someone who was a top HW but never got to the very top of the division because he didn’t have the power. I’m very interested in watching him fight bigger fighters though.

[Master]

Usyk is better than Byrd but that does not necessarily mean he will become world champion as you need the right contacts, opportunity and a bit of luck to become the champion he became.

Usyk does not have the power Michael Moorer did but is better skilled than he was and more desire.

Usyk has the frame of Holyfield so can bulk up without losing his greatest assets his speed, footwork, and boxing skills.

In short Usyk's fights will go the distance, he will outbox his heavyweight opponents but do not think it will be enough to beat the super heavyweights like Wilder, Fury and Joshua.

[powerpuncher]

It’s funny that Wilder gets lumped in with the super heavyweights just because he’s tall. He is much lighter than them.