Usyk at Heavyweight

[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.

[palmerq]

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.

Don't think jennings would be worthwhile for Usyk, well apart from gaining some ranking points.. he's in with Hearn so he doesn't need to worry so much about getting a mandatory wbo position. .. jennings is also pretty much a similar size to Usyk and the big question with Usyk is can he deal with the weight and power of the real big guys, jennings doesn't really provide that test... actually now I think the lose of whyte v CHISORA 2 would be a good intro for him, both big guys that Usyk could certainly beat and both guys that would enhance his reputation in blighty for a future joshua fight.

Chisora is also a good mate of bellew it seems so they could play up the revenge angle and chisora is also competely insane so Hearn could sell this easy.

[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.

Don't think jennings would be worthwhile for Usyk, well apart from gaining some ranking points.. he's in with Hearn so he doesn't need to worry so much about getting a mandatory wbo position. .. jennings is also pretty much a similar size to Usyk and the big question with Usyk is can he deal with the weight and power of the real big guys, jennings doesn't really provide that test... actually now I think the lose of whyte v CHISORA 2 would be a good intro for him, both big guys that Usyk could certainly beat and both guys that would enhance his reputation in blighty for a future joshua fight.

Chisora is also a good mate of bellew it seems so they could play up the revenge angle and chisora is also completely insane so Hearn could sell this easy.

I'd take Jennings over the loser of Whyte/ Chisora. Jennings is bigger than Chisora.

I hope he faces a tough opponent tho.

[palmerq]

Well jennings is a bit taller than chisora but I don't think there's really any question of Usyk being able to handle a guy the same height as himself with lesser boxing skills, chisora might not be as tall but he weights in around 20 lbs heavier than jennings, the weight and pnching power is the big question for a fellow like usyk. Taller guys too, so pulev could be a good option too and would let Hearn derail one of the mandatories.

[El Kabong]

There's nothing really left for him to prove at cruiserweight, I think he'll handle the average heavyweight well. We'll see if his power carries, but to me he doesn't seem different than other average sized heavyweights Povetkin, Chagaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Chris Byrd....I mean I think he will be a good challenger but he's not a certain title contender. He's going to have to choose his opponents wisely.

[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.

[powerpuncher]

Does anybody know what weight that Usyk walks around at? If he has to cut to make the cruiserweight limit then he isn’t that much lighter than Wilder who weighs in the 220’s.

[Alpha]

Does anybody know what weight that Usyk walks around at? If he has to cut to make the cruiserweight limit then he isn’t that much lighter than Wilder who weighs in the 220’s.

Not sure exactly, but leading into the Gassiev fight he was 210.3 LBS 30 days out and 208.7 LBS 7 days out.

[Alpha]

Does anybody know what weight that Usyk walks around at? If he has to cut to make the cruiserweight limit then he isn’t that much lighter than Wilder who weighs in the 220’s.

Not sure exactly, but leading into the Gassiev fight he was 210.3 LBS 30 days out and 208.7 LBS 7 days out.

So guessing that they probably cut for these WBC weigh ins, actual weight could be around 220.

[powerpuncher]

Does anybody know what weight that Usyk walks around at? If he has to cut to make the cruiserweight limit then he isn’t that much lighter than Wilder who weighs in the 220’s.

Not sure exactly, but leading into the Gassiev fight he was 210.3 LBS 30 days out and 208.7 LBS 7 days out.

So guessing that they probably cut for these WBC weigh ins, actual weight could be around 220.

If he weighs that walking around then he won’t be that much smaller than other HWs. He is pretty tall and will still be a legit weight.