BoxRec

According to the rumors Usyk next opponent will be Johnny Muller (19-4-2, 13 KO), possible date is 22th August.
What do you think about such fight?
As for me this fight gives nothing to Usyk.
As Usyk is aiming to fight for WBO belt, there are some better opponents in WBO top 15 than Muller, for example Mairis Briedis (16-0-0, 13 KO) or Mirko Larghetti (23-1-0, 15 KO). Even fight with Mateusz Masternak, who 'lost' his last fight to Muller, would be far more interesting.

Usyk stepped up properly after first 4 bouts, fighting Bruwer and then Venter afer him, but since then his opposition seems to become worse. I mean, Knyazev and Muller are definitely worse than Venter, and they are really small cruisers. I'm big fan of Usyk, but I'm disappointed with his oposition for his 7th and 8th fights. Hope he will fight someone like Kalenga after Muller. Kalenga would be a good test for Kudryashov too in my opinion.

I think Usyk is very hesitant to face big punchers. I doubt that we will see him against Kalenga or Kudryashov any time soon.

ikorolev wrote:I think Usyk is very hesitant to face big punchers. I doubt that we will see him against Kalenga or Kudryashov any time soon.

I don't think so at all. Medjidov hits WAY harded than Kalenga or Kudryashov even in softer amateur gloves, Nistor (the only man who stopped Joshua) and Joe Joyce were big punchers too. And Usyk was even wiling to trade punches in some moments with Joyce, he took a couple of really big shoths in that fight.

As for Usyk's opposition I just think K2 wants to take cheaper opponents for him, the same as with GGG.

Boxing Writer wrote:Usyk stepped up properly after first 4 bouts, fighting Bruwer and then Venter afer him, but since then his opposition seems to become worse. I mean, Knyazev and Muller are definitely worse than Venter, and they are really small cruisers. I'm big fan of Usyk, but I'm disappointed with his oposition for his 7th and 8th fights. Hope he will fight someone like Kalenga after Muller. Kalenga would be a good test for Kudryashov too in my opinion.

I'm agree with you that possible fight against Muller and his last fight against Knyazev are step back in the level of oppositions. Fighting opponents like them, Usyk doesn't gain necessary experience, and it could be huge problem when he get world title shot. I think that even fight against Firat Arslan could give more experience than fights against 10 'Mullers' or 'Knyazevs'

Boxing Writer wrote:

ikorolev wrote: As for Usyk's opposition I just think K2 wants to take cheaper opponents for him, the same as with GGG.

And it could play bad joke with Usyk in the future

Artem wrote:

Boxing Writer wrote:Usyk stepped up properly after first 4 bouts, fighting Bruwer and then Venter afer him, but since then his opposition seems to become worse. I mean, Knyazev and Muller are definitely worse than Venter, and they are really small cruisers. I'm big fan of Usyk, but I'm disappointed with his oposition for his 7th and 8th fights. Hope he will fight someone like Kalenga after Muller. Kalenga would be a good test for Kudryashov too in my opinion.

I'm agree with you that possible fight against Muller and his last fight against Knyazev are step back in the level of oppositions. Fighting opponents like them, Usyk doesn't gain necessary experience, and it could be huge problem when he get world title shot. I think that even fight against Firat Arslan could give more experience than fights against 10 'Mullers' or 'Knyazevs'

Yes, the problem here is not only that Muller and Knyazev are level below Venter in terms of skills, but they are really small 5'10'' - 5'11'' cruisers. Out off all top cruisers only Lebedev and Mcunu are that short, but they are southpaws, so fights against Muller and Knyazev give nothing for Usyk, which is really bad. I think this fight with Muller will look like a complete mismatch. Knyazev at least had decent head movement, but Muller doesn't, so he will get hit much more with a flush shots from the very beginning.

Bruwer and Venter and now Muller - Usyk loves fighting South Africans.

Gnome wrote:Bruwer and Venter and now Muller - Usyk loves fighting South Africans.

Maybe it's something personal DD

K2 probably is waiting on two option atm. They want to break Holyfield's record by getting a title before their 12th fight. So they probably have two options:

1. Wait to get a fight with Bellew to become Huck's mandatory.

or

2. Try to get a fight with Victor Ramirez (IBF Interim Champ) to get a mandatory shot at Hernandez's IBF Title.

Fight against Muller is confirmed officially. Fight is set on 29th August in Kiev. Also in undercard Denis Berinchyk makes his pro-debut