who should usyk start his hw campaign against?

[tiny_acres]

He has proven not to fight to pad up his record, not to toy with or put away fighters who he knows won't pose a threat and are no challenge for him.

He methodicly cleaned out the cruiser division, eliminating one title holder after another.

Don't think he would change his approach to conquer the heavyweight division. He doesn't need a toe in the water as he fought & defeated bigger & taller guys throughout his whole amateur career.

Being 6' 3" & i guess fighting around 220 as heavyweight size or weight won't be any problem. That's "big" enough to hurt any man.

If it would go as he wishes i think he would start with wilder whom he would absolutely dominate technically, pick apart & beat up badly for 12 rounds (probably even as the heavier guy in the ring) and easily pick up his first belt. Very easy.

He's Hearn fighter. No way is he fighting Wilder. It's just not happening any time soon

[Lennox]

If I was matchmaking someone ranked between 30 and 50.

I would look for;

Lucas Browne
Alex Dimentrenko
Edmund Gerber
Chris Arreola

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

just watch then..i bet I am right, those or worse.

[Mexi-Box]

If I was matchmaking someone ranked between 30 and 50.

I would look for;

Lucas Browne
Alex Dimentrenko
Edmund Gerber
Chris Arreola

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

just watch then..i bet I am right, those or worse.

Right about what? Usyk has beaten guys at CW that have been more accomplished than the fighters you've mentioned when they've moved up to HW. Do you really think Hunter or Breidis would lose to Arreola or Dimitrenko? That's insane if you think that.

[Lennox]

He could beat them one after the other on the same night. At WSB he schooled 6' 6" top amateur Joe Joyce.

I think he doesn't need to waste his time kicking cans but a Ruiz, a Kownacki, a Chisora, a Jennings or a Martin would be an ideal toe in the water.

So?

[Lennox]

If I was matchmaking someone ranked between 30 and 50.

I would look for;

Lucas Browne
Alex Dimentrenko
Edmund Gerber
Chris Arreola

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

Bellew, Breidis, and Hunter are better HWs than the guys he just mentioned. Utterly pointless for Usyk to fight them.

it is what will happen..someone not in the top 30

[tiny_acres]

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

Bellew, Breidis, and Hunter are better HWs than the guys he just mentioned. Utterly pointless for Usyk to fight them.

it is what will happen..someone not in the top 30

I still think someone like Gerald Washington is a good start. 6'6" decent fringe contender.
Easy win that should go 5 or 6 rounds since Usyk is not a fast starter

[Lennox]

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

just watch then..i bet I am right, those or worse.

Right about what? Usyk has beaten guys at CW that have been more accomplished than the fighters you've mentioned when they've moved up to HW. Do you really think Hunter or Breidis would lose to Arreola or Dimitrenko? That's insane if you think that.

No I agree they would beat Arreola and Dimentrenko...I just think Usyk will have a much less credible opponent for his first HW fight...som1 like Arreola fits the bill perfectly..former world title challenger. Matchmakers test the water.

[jujigatame]

If I was matchmaking someone ranked between 30 and 50.

I would look for;

Lucas Browne
Alex Dimentrenko
Edmund Gerber
Chris Arreola

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

just watch then..i bet I am right, those or worse.

Right about what? You expressed an opinion, not a prediction.

If you were a matchmaker, I would call your matchmaking garbage and not watch your card.

[TheGingerBomber]

I also can’t see Usyk being matched as soft as Arreola or fookin’ Gerber

But I could be wrong.

[oogiebe]

I also can’t see Usyk being matched as soft as Arreola or fookin’ Gerber

But I could be wrong.

You're not wrong.

[TheGingerBomber]

I also can’t see Usyk being matched as soft as Arreola or fookin’ Gerber

But I could be wrong.

You're not wrong.

I reckon if Hearn, for instance, offered him those for his first two fights, he’d laugh his head off.

[oogiebe]

I also can’t see Usyk being matched as soft as Arreola or fookin’ Gerber

But I could be wrong.

You're not wrong.

I reckon if Hearn, for instance, offered him those for his first two fights, he’d laugh his head off.

It'd be a waste. The more I think about it, the more I like Parker.

[dickbelden]

AJ right now !

[Deleted_Scenes]

If I was matchmaking someone ranked between 30 and 50.

I would look for;

Lucas Browne
Alex Dimentrenko
Edmund Gerber
Chris Arreola

That would be awful matchmaking and a complete waste of time. The guy is an elite fighter, there is no purpose in matching him with some C-list bum just to get him a win at HW.

just watch then..i bet I am right, those or worse.

There's absolutely nothing in his record to suggest he'll take on a soft touch. There's more chance he'll fight Povetkin first, than anyone on that list. Not saying he will, or should, fight Pov, just to be clear.

The more I think about it, the more a Joyce rematch appeals to me. Can't see Joyce's handlers going for it though...

Given the Hearn connection, I reckon it's pretty likely he'll take on the Whyte/Chisora loser, with the winner getting Joshua. Miller is another possibility, but I reckon he'll be the second fight - winner gets a crack at AJ.

[Deleted_Scenes]

You're not wrong.

I reckon if Hearn, for instance, offered him those for his first two fights, he’d laugh his head off.

It'd be a waste. The more I think about it, the more I like Parker.

Hearn has a good relationship with Parker and his people. The only sticking point may be if Parker wants to get a couple of wins under his belt first. Unless it's a Whyte rematch, he might want something less risky.

Then again, he does seem pretty ballsy. Maybe he would take Usyk now? It's a good fight. I like it.

[candyslim]

It's not just a question of size though. I think Canelo would beat Ustinov, ferkit I reckon Lomachenko would beat Ustinov today, You can't say Usyk beat Joe Joyce who is 6' 6" therefore he can beat Joshua who is also 6' 6" there is a world of difference in hand speed which could prove crucial: They both have power but one is much more likely to land consistently on Usyk's face than the other.

With Fury it's foot speed and he might be an even tougher opponent than AJ because Usyk is a superior technician but he would be constantly trying to close the range which just wouldn't stay closed, and all the while eating jabs. A dull predictable wide points decision for Fury methinks.

Dillian White would be a great bit of matchmaking. Usyk's vastly better boxing against a big powerful guy who will be right in front of him, roughing him up and trying to bully him out of his rhythm. Usyk would be favourite but that's a hell of a fight.

[candyslim]

He could beat them one after the other on the same night. At WSB he schooled 6' 6" top amateur Joe Joyce.

I think he doesn't need to waste his time kicking cans but a Ruiz, a Kownacki, a Chisora, a Jennings or a Martin would be an ideal toe in the water.

So?

So fighting any one of them would be a total waste of time wouldn't it?

He needs a heavyweight who is will give him good experience of taking on someone bigger, stronger, more powerful, yet who is very unlikely to derail him. A Joyce rematch might fit the bill even if it is covering old ground. It would be double the number of rounds to add something different to last time.

[greg]

..I've not followed the whole thread..how about David Price?

[candyslim]

I think now Price is a more suitable opponent for a Nathan Gorman or a Daniel Dubois than someone of Usyk's quality.

Besides that he is nothing if not a puncher so he always represents a poor deal in terms of risk v reward.

[Onetimeonly]

No way is he fighting an arreola or price level guy. The dude is extremely ambitious. Fighters don't have to take shitty fights. He won't. He'd defend his cruiser belts before he'd fight a useless blob like arreola. He's already beaten better heavyweights. Cris would be soundly beaten by his last 6 or 7 opponents!

[Lennox]

Most fights are statiscally a waste of time.

What is almost impossible is to have interim or marking time or warm up fights with TWO real TOP TEN fighters, because if your in the top 10 you want big money.

Everyone in the top 10 has somewhere to go except Povetkin, who may for $500,000 take another loss.

There are a few that may want to fight 11-30, probably still would want too much or have ambition.

More likely the promoter will hang his hat on a sub $100,000 opponent, maybe even $50,000...the fight after I could see a Chisora, Povetkin.

I don't disagree with you that the principle should be that fights should be evenly matched, but.

My #1 choice would be Chris Arreola as a matchmaker I think its a better name than Gerald Washington (which is not a bad choice btw)...Szpilka, Helenius, Duhaupas would be the absolute maximums you could expect.

[ironbeard]

Most fights are statiscally a waste of time.

What is almost impossible is to have interim or marking time or warm up fights with TWO real TOP TEN fighters, because if your in the top 10 you want big money.

Everyone in the top 10 has somewhere to go except Povetkin, who may for $500,000 take another loss.

There are a few that may want to fight 11-30, probably still would want too much or have ambition.

More likely the promoter will hang his hat on a sub $100,000 opponent, maybe even $50,000...the fight after I could see a Chisora, Povetkin.

I don't disagree with you that the principle should be that fights should be evenly matched, but.

My #1 choice would be Chris Arreola as a matchmaker I think its a better name than Gerald Washington (which is not a bad choice btw)...Szpilka, Helenius, Duhaupas would be the absolute maximums you could expect.

Titteola is a total waste of Usyk’s time. Of that group in your last paragragh, the only ones that make sense are Helenius and Washington.

Breazeale v Negron winner or rematching Joyce are better options.

[Onetimeonly]

Joyce and breazeale need to fight each other for the glacier slow championship. Those guys need to throw a punch in their corner for it to get there halfway through the round.

[ironbeard]

Joyce and breazeale need to fight each other for the glacier slow championship. Those guys need to throw a punch in their corner for it to get there halfway through the round.

That is (close to) true.

[Lennox]

Most fights are statiscally a waste of time.

What is almost impossible is to have interim or marking time or warm up fights with TWO real TOP TEN fighters, because if your in the top 10 you want big money.

Everyone in the top 10 has somewhere to go except Povetkin, who may for $500,000 take another loss.

There are a few that may want to fight 11-30, probably still would want too much or have ambition.

More likely the promoter will hang his hat on a sub $100,000 opponent, maybe even $50,000...the fight after I could see a Chisora, Povetkin.

I don't disagree with you that the principle should be that fights should be evenly matched, but.

My #1 choice would be Chris Arreola as a matchmaker I think its a better name than Gerald Washington (which is not a bad choice btw)...Szpilka, Helenius, Duhaupas would be the absolute maximums you could expect.

Titteola is a total waste of Usyk’s time. Of that group in your last paragragh, the only ones that make sense are Helenius and Washington.

Breazeale v Negron winner or rematching Joyce are better options.

those fights are for later