oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 17:58
I'm not surprised at this matchup, but disappointed with all the talk of Usyk wanting to 'dive right in' to the HW scene. He's diving into the kiddie pool here.
I'd hardly call a Top 15-ish guy a weak opponent. It was probably just a matter of a fight being way easier to make with Takam than it would've been with Povetkin. I'm sure Usyk will be in against a major league Heavyweight opponent within 3 fights at worst.
If anything it speaks to how much he's achieved, and how highly he's thought of that stepping up to Heavyweight, and taking on a solid contender by most standards would unimpressive to some.
Takam is on the downhill slide and is maybe top 25
Usyk' s team stated they were going for a top contender for his debut.
It is a major disappointment
oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 17:58
I'm not surprised at this matchup, but disappointed with all the talk of Usyk wanting to 'dive right in' to the HW scene. He's diving into the kiddie pool here.
I'd hardly call a Top 15-ish guy a weak opponent. It was probably just a matter of a fight being way easier to make with Takam than it would've been with Povetkin. I'm sure Usyk will be in against a major league Heavyweight opponent within 3 fights at worst.
If anything it speaks to how much he's achieved, and how highly he's thought of that stepping up to Heavyweight, and taking on a solid contender by most standards would unimpressive to some.
Takam is on the downhill slide and is maybe top 25
Usyk' s team stated they were going for a top contender for his debut.
It is a major disappointment
He’s given a pass surely? Would this Takam beat Schwarz?
Usyk is entitled to a feeling out fight at this weight imo. It’s a big jump between cruiser and heavyweight. I’m sure once he’s beaten Takam he’ll move on quickly. Can he stop Carlos?
lillywhite14 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 12:08
He’s given a pass surely? Would this Takam beat Schwarz?
Usyk is entitled to a feeling out fight at this weight imo. It’s a big jump between cruiser and heavyweight. I’m sure once he’s beaten Takam he’ll move on quickly. Can he stop Carlos?
The leadup to this matchup is what disappoints. We were told that Usyk would go after top HW's. interestingly, Takam is shorter than Usyk, so how does that help him adjust to 6'5" and taller top HW's? It obviously doesn't. Someone got cold feet, I guess.
I think it's a fantastic fight to make a debut at the weight. No need to face a top-5 contender immediately, and to be frank, that would be ridiculous and over the top. Take a step into the pond before diving in. Takam is a glorified gatekeeper type or a solid, B level opponent who is perfect for this kind of a fight. The question will be if Usyk can stop him.
Rgoodwin wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 18:31
Not a bad introduction to the weight
I agree.
I was expecting someone worse actually.
Me too. Takam's a tough intro for Usyk.
First fight in the division, and look who the experienced Wilder and Fury are fighting next.
This will show us what Usyk has but I'd be surprised if he stops Takam. This could even derail all of Usyk's hopes of meeting Joshua sometime next year if you recall the trouble Takam was giving AJ.
Solid first fight at heavyweight for Usyk, wasn't long ago Takam gave Joshua some problems, the Chisora KO could have a touch of freak about it
It does have a touch of formality about it but I'm pretty gay for Usyk and it will take someone about 10 levels below Takam for me to even consider criticising my beloved Oleksandr
dagilechia wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 09:11
Takam is a better opponent than Holyfield, Haye or Adamek had in their HW debut
Yep, good first heavy opponent, and I expect Usyk to run rings around him. I am glad he did not choose my man Povetkin for his heavyweight debut.
me too as i like both fighters, this fight would be great but i don't want to see ageing Povetkin being outpointed by Usyk though i think that Povetkin version from Joshua fight would be a 50/50 fight
I am a bit disappointed but only because I was so keen for usyk vs pov. If he has put on some size it would make sense for usyk to fight a tough midrange guy like takem first. Learn how going up weight effects stamina and speed. If this is on the same night as POV and both usyk and POV get good wins it sets up a really nice second fight. And third fight should be title level.
handsofstone wrote: ↑24 Mar 2019, 12:45
Solid first fight at heavyweight for Usyk, wasn't long ago Takam gave Joshua some problems, the Chisora KO could have a touch of freak about it
It does have a touch of formality about it but I'm pretty gay for Usyk and it will take someone about 10 levels below Takam for me to even consider criticising my beloved Oleksandr
Put it this way, Takam would batter Tom fvcking Schwarz!
handsofstone wrote: ↑24 Mar 2019, 12:45
Solid first fight at heavyweight for Usyk, wasn't long ago Takam gave Joshua some problems, the Chisora KO could have a touch of freak about it
It does have a touch of formality about it but I'm pretty gay for Usyk and it will take someone about 10 levels below Takam for me to even consider criticising my beloved Oleksandr
Put it this way, Takam would batter Tom fvcking Schwarz!
lillywhite14 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 12:08
He’s given a pass surely? Would this Takam beat Schwarz?
Usyk is entitled to a feeling out fight at this weight imo. It’s a big jump between cruiser and heavyweight. I’m sure once he’s beaten Takam he’ll move on quickly. Can he stop Carlos?
I don't think he'll stop him. He'll win a lopsided UD though.
lillywhite14 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 12:08
He’s given a pass surely? Would this Takam beat Schwarz?
Usyk is entitled to a feeling out fight at this weight imo. It’s a big jump between cruiser and heavyweight. I’m sure once he’s beaten Takam he’ll move on quickly. Can he stop Carlos?
I don't think he'll stop him. He'll win a lopsided UD though.
Everyone will be watching. That said, he'll have to make a statement showing that his power will need to be respected at HW. So I'm hoping, for his sake, that he does in fact stop Takam.
oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 17:58
I'm not surprised at this matchup, but disappointed with all the talk of Usyk wanting to 'dive right in' to the HW scene. He's diving into the kiddie pool here.
I'll wager that those who are disappointed in Usyk's first match at heavyweight would rather he fought someone in the top 5 so his odds of losing increase.
sturm vogel wrote: ↑24 Mar 2019, 18:24
I'll wager that those who are disappointed in Usyk's first match at heavyweight would rather he fought someone in the top 5 so his odds of losing increase.
Had the Usyk camp kept it's mouths shut and just made this matchup, there would be no complaints. They painted a scenario clearly pointing at his first fight at HW being against a top HW. Takam is far from that, so wager away.
there was always discussion of a few opponents....including carlos t. i recall readng that 3 opponents were in the mix....pov and helenus were the others i think
no carlos isnt 'pathetic' but im not too interested