Usyk at Heavyweight

[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.

[Alpha]

I have mentioned many times on here before that I feel he'll do very well at the weight.

[palmerq]

I think he'd beat Wilder pretty easily, Wilder just isn't very good. I'd say he would be even or favorite with just about everyone else bar fury and joshua, fury is just too tall and long and once joshua went into full attack mode I think he'd be able to walk through usyk and blow him away. Usyk is a fairly big fellow though, six foot three isn't short(unless compared to fury or wach), big baby Miller only has an inch on him(probably more in his pants but wotever) and no one claims he's not tall enough. Usyk should be able to move around the bigger lumps pretty easy to give himself a good chance of a win.

I'd like to see him take on charr first or someone similar, not that good but pretty big, then take on big baby Miller.

[Alpha]

I think the winner of Whyte/ Chisora will focus on AJ, Pulev and Bryan will probably try to protect their high rankings with the orgs.

Jennings would be a good first official step into heavy. He's #2 with the WBO, and brings a decent test.

If I could pick his next opponent outside of AJ, Wilder, Fury, Whyte or Pulev, Bryan, then I think Povetkin would be it.

Miller would be an intriguing David vs Goliath battle.

[Spicoli]

I'm the last guy to jump on hype trains but honestly on pure skill and ring awareness I think he eclipses any heavy going, including AJ Wilder or Ortiz. But then the size and natural power that separates those fighters from cruisers and bulked up heavys comes in. The record books are covered in quality guys at 190 moving up and running into that brick wall of reality. I can also see some Byrd likeness with speed and defense mobility but I think Usyk at least now is more grounded and focused. Byrd was superb but I always had the feeling that the criticism and doubters got to him just a little bit. Save for maybe Holyfield, well not really, it's always 'they're too small and lack power and really just blown up cruiserweights'. Byrd started to get a chip on his shoulder and started to over compensate and fight out of his skin though it never really cost him dearly. It really didn't matter how he approached Ike, that train was coming one way or the other. The way trinkets are passed around Usyk can debut next month and capture one but his goal is to face the very best. Very interested to see his direction to get there and his initial opponents. Usyk hits 32 in January so should be a top guy right off, slap him on the April AJ co feature card as he's been introduced to local fans now and get it rolling. Of course by that time Wilder-Fury will be sorted and it will all come down to Hearn.