World class trainer Abel Sanchez doesn't see the upcoming WBO/WBA/WBC/IBF cruiserweight unification bout going the distance. Even though odds makers have pegged Sanchez's charge, Murat Gassiev the underdog in his fight with Oleksandr Usyk, Sanchez boldly proclaimed, "I would be worried if this were an amateur fight, but it isn't. Gassiev will be the stronger guy and I see him stopping Usyk and I think it's going to be a body shot."
dont know if itll happen but hed be smart to target there. could slow usyks higher workrate + usyk was hurt and given a count after turning his back after a body shot from beterbiev in the ams
For some reason I think I would feel like crying if Usyk got stopped, at least if he got stopped early. I think I really need this fight to live up to my expectations.
As for Usyk getting stopped with a bodyshot, I admit I hadn't really considered it, now I do it does strike me as maybe the most likely way Gassiev can get a stoppage. Of course he couldn't stop Lebedev even having hurt him to the body quite early in the fight.
jamamb wrote: ↑02 Jul 2018, 06:36
dont know if itll happen but hed be smart to target there. could slow usyks higher workrate
Good point and I think another big advantage could be gained tactically f he could get to him with the left hand especially.
Thinking of the Lebedev fight Gassiev was nailing him with the left to the body as he tried to roll and spin away to the right and get outside, after getting nailed about 5 or 6 times at least and then the 2 or 3 that lead to the knockdown, Lebedev for quite a while was exclusively moving away to his own left rather than towards the left hook. As it happens Lebedev actually made it work for him tactically- he was landing the jab straight down the middle inside Gassievs lead hand and a hooking left behind his rear guard. A lot of the points Lebedev built up in those mid rounds he kindof stole from Gassiev were from inside G's lead foot not outside. Anyway I digress, I'm saying G can greatly reduce Usyks movement options if he can hurt with with the left hook downstairs, after that it's whether Usyk could make it work from the different angle or whether G can make him pay for cutting his options and making his movement more predictable, it should make it easier for him to cut the ring off and make Usyk fight off the ropes. Much as I like Usyk I don't think he would survive too many sustained periods with his back to the ropes.
