What Usyk vs Gassiev winner should do next?

Boxing Writer · Post by **Boxing Writer** » 28 Feb 2018, 19:45

Providing there is clear winner and zero controvercy in the fight, so the rematch isn't needed.

Boxing Writer · Post by **Boxing Writer** » 28 Feb 2018, 19:49

I woted for Bellew. The win over Bellew will give either Usyk or Gassiev a good exposure in UK which would be great for the future fight with Joshua. And Bellew, of course, will provide more money than any other option mentioned here. Bellew already has stated he would be open to fight Usyk vs Gassiev winner at cruiserweight. If Bellew loses his rematch to Haye, he will still be a big name for either Usyk or Briedis. Unless Haye absolutely brutalizes him in rematch, that fight would make a sence.

jamamb · Post by **jamamb** » 28 Feb 2018, 20:05

bellew funny enough only seems to mention usy from what ive seen. thought i even saw him say hed love to fght the wbss winner. but then wth the qualfcaton that if it was usy

Evander · Post by **Evander** » 28 Feb 2018, 22:25

Hard to imagine either of them going up to Heavyweight.

If I were them the first thing I would do is have an entertaining fight when they meet and draw people in, from that point you can start calling out names.
What about the winner of Usyk and Gassiev dropping a few pounds and meeting the winner of Stevenson and Jack who will have to put on a few pounds ?
It's possible.

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » 01 Mar 2018, 00:48

I'd say stay at Cruiserweight and fight Bellew AND Lebedev if those fights are available. A rematch with the Tourney runner up or Breidis (especially if you're Gassiev) could make sense as well.

After that maybe a move to Heavyweight wouldn't seem so crazy as they would have completely cleaned out the Cruiserweight division at that point.

I definitely think the winner of the Tournament should just enjoy being the boss at Cruiserweight for at least 2 more fights before going for the mountaintop at Heavyweight, but I know the temptation will be strong. I just think there'd be more money to be made with a potential move up to Heavyweight if the Champion establishes their reign at Cruiserweight as definitively as possible. Of course you could argue the Tournament is already doing that, but I think being Lebedev (and Bellew if he's serious about going for the Winner which I kinda doubt)

Boxing Writer · Post by **Boxing Writer** » 01 Mar 2018, 07:37

Evander wrote: ↑28 Feb 2018, 22:25 Hard to imagine either of them going up to Heavyweight.

If I were them the first thing I would do is have an entertaining fight when they meet and draw people in, from that point you can start calling out names.
What about the winner of Usyk and Gassiev dropping a few pounds and meeting the winner of Stevenson and Jack who will have to put on a few pounds ?
It's possible.

Both Usyk and Gassiev are big guys, it would be hard for them to make even 190 lbs for a catchweigh fight with a LHW champion.

Boxing101101 · Post by **Boxing101101** » 01 Mar 2018, 07:49

depends on who wins. if usyk wins then he could move up straight away however if gassiev wins he could stay at cruiser and fight a few top guys as he is a lot younger

DrDuke · Post by **DrDuke** » 01 Mar 2018, 08:00

I'd like to see a couple of fights in cruiserweight, both Lebedev and Bellew, maybe even another one, against some other contender, including WBSS participants, if some of them is worthy the shot for the moment. And then I'd like to see the heavyweight challenge. Maybe the fight against Bellew is even better to be organized there, if he has plans to continue the career and to do it in that division. Anyway the first couple of heavyweight fights should be against big names, but not the champions.

Stuarty · Post by **Stuarty** » 01 Mar 2018, 08:05

Really like Usyk but he doesn't look to have the power for a move to heavy. Gassiev can bang and looks like he'd grow in to the weight better but I think Usyk wins the final.

Lackeos · Post by **Lackeos** » 01 Mar 2018, 08:59

It sort of depends on what moves Lebedev, Briedis, and Tabiti make going forward. It also depends on how close the finals are. But either way, after the tournament, I would take an easy fight, and then go after the best available cruiserweight. If you have done this thorough of a job cleaning out the division, you might as well clean it out a bit more thoroughly so that you leave no doubt. As it stands, Briedis lost by MD, Lebedev lost by SD, the finals might also be close. That is not domination. Go back and fight either Lebedev / Briedis, whichever one you didn't fight in the tournament, and try to KO or wide UD him.

Moving-up to heavyweight is pretty much how you piss the remainder of your career away. If you move-up and stagnate as the #10 heavy, people are going to start to downgrade your career achievements. But if you stay at CW and beat everyone in the top 5 twice each, you will be one of the legends of the division.

Heretic · Post by **Heretic** » 01 Mar 2018, 09:12

I hope that they stay in cruiser bit longer. Its better division than HW at the moment.

Al thou I have to admit that it would be nice to see how they would fare in HW.

Usyk vs Lebedev or Dorticos would be good matches.

Gassiev vs Briedis would be great and the rematch with Lebedev would be goof fight too. Maybe this time Gassiev could finish the job and leave no doubts on who the better boxer is.

I would not mind seeing either against Bellew. I think they both would beat him

Ruthless-RKO · Post by **Ruthless-RKO** » 01 Mar 2018, 09:36

I states in a thread a while ago. The winner and loser should remain at cruiserweight for a little while longer. Usyk could fight Lebedev, Bellew would get him UK exposure, Dorticos, Briedis rematch.. a few good fights still to be made..

Same goes for Gass. He could rematch Lebedev, Briedis and so on. He's still only 24.

Blodhemn · Post by **Blodhemn** » 01 Mar 2018, 09:39

Pretty sure Gassiev already said he's moving to HW regardless of the outcome with Usyk.