Usyk–Bellew: Let’s Not Hand Usyk a Heavyweight Title Just Yet

CRUISIN’ FOR A BELLEWSIN’ – After his impressive victory against Murat Gassiev, it didn’t take long for Oleksandr Usyk’s possibilities as a heavyweight contender to become a hot topic. More than a few knowledgeable observers immediately listed Usyk, 15-0 (11KO), as a highly potential threat to the best behemoths in the business.

Not so fast. Fighters like Evander Holyfield or Michael Spinks are closer to once in a lifetime entities than once in a decade. Even if titlists Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder are as limited as some pundits assume, they’re both huge, strong and battle-tested. If Usyk were optimistic enough to engage either of them before next summer he’ll very likely get blasted into a harsh new reality.

That’s nothing against the obviously elite Usyk. His rare skill level was apparent when I saw him as a 2-0 novice on the undercard of the Wladimir Klitschko-Alex Leapai blowout in 2014. Joseph Parker (then 7-0) also appeared that night, and Usyk looked much better than Parker, or for that matter, Leapai.

But Usyk definitely wasn’t anywhere near the same league as Klitschko, and right now he isn’t in the same league as Joshua or Wilder, especially in the crucial, one punch power department.

No shame in that. It does seem that time, and the range to improve, could be on Usyk’s side. Usyk is a bright, interesting character who, apparently, has a very good grasp on his career.

After the Gassiev fight, Usyk called out Tony Bellew, 30-2-1 (20), in an excellent step-up move. “If he doesn’t want to go down in weight, I will go up for him,” said Usyk. “I’ll just eat more spaghetti for my dinner.”

It didn’t take long for Bellew and his promoter Eddie Hearn to respond on social media, with Bellew tweeting “I was born ready! Let’s get this done!”

Hearn posted an affirmative image and subsequently indicated negotiations were already getting underway, so it appears the attractive Usyk-Bellew clash could reach fistic fruition relatively quickly.

While the history of top level matchmaking often says differently, if that fight does happen during 2018, it will be almost impossible to deny the winner clear Fighter of the Year honors. Add that to the boatload of cash each participant stands to pocket from a London stadium fight, and the contest’s likelihood is more sooner than later.

At 6’3” with a 78” reach, Usyk’s best option is to go after similarly sized men like Parker or Hughie Fury. That makes Bellew (6’3”, 74”) the top candidate for Usyk to target.

Usyk’s call out of Bellew may signal not only a willingness to accept challenges, but also a very cannily planned roadmap to the apex of boxing’s food chain. Bellew is likely Usyk’s safest big payoff candidate, but his traveling, nothing to lose attitude could offset Usyk’s composure.

Bellew has only fought at heavyweight three times, including two wins over David Haye. Bellew’s best chance might be at under 200 pounds, depending on how strong he feels. He’ll need every ounce of that strength to succeed with the mauling strategy it will take to give Usyk trouble.

Bellew has stated he’s only looking for a legacy fight to seal his retirement. His unorthodox, anything to win determination is the type of intangible that may prove to be either Usyk’s undoing or complete validation.

It’s not hard to imagine that Bellew, a solid student of the game, can already identify many moments when stepping on Usyk’s extended right foot or slamming the Ukrainian’s arms or shoulders during Usyk’s flurries could come in handy.

After his one-sided decision in the final of the World Boxing Super Series, Usyk deserved plenty of glory. Still, the deluge of praise was a bit overdone. In hindsight, Usyk’s close victory against Mairis Briedis might have been a more impressive showing.

Briedis showed that Usyk is not invulnerable in the trenches. There were even a couple brief flashes in Usyk’s previous bout when you had to wonder what might have happened if faded Marco Huck was nearer his peak rumbling form.

As of August 2018, southpaw Usyk has consistently proved to be the best cruiserweight boxer on our pugilistic planet, but as a true heavyweight contender he is still an unknown commodity.

Usyk’s first four fights were at heavyweight, since then he’s weighed in at just a meatball or two under the cruiserweight limit, apparently without difficulty. Adding some pounds probably doesn’t mean any real change of diet or muscle mass.

Usyk’s predicament is that while tackling foes who can provide the fine-tuning, under fire tutorials necessary to ensure optimal chances against the division’s elite, the risk–reward factor skews more toward risk against potentially bigger and stronger opponents with heavyweight experience.

There are no guarantees that fighters like Luis Ortiz or the winner of Carlos Takam versus Derick Chisora could not only tip over Usyk’s big buck applecart, but steamroll right over it.

An opponent like Jarrell Miller or Alexander Povetkin would probably be the best final tune-up before meeting Joshua or Wilder. Since Usyk hasn’t displayed one-punch knockout power, those are presently pick ‘em propositions.

As of today, Usyk should be listed at least a 2-1 favorite over Bellew, who remains a dangerous underdog in what’s most likely a full distance affair. It’s not impossible to imagine 35-year old Bellew crashing in the manner of the suddenly aged Haye, but he could also give Usyk some real problems.

Maybe Usyk’s coolest move against Gassiev was just before the final bell, when he did a brief imitation of the Ali Shuffle. It wasn’t the real deal but it was close enough, and it symbolized Usyk’s confidence.

Still, no matter how strong he looked in the WBSS, against Joshua or Wilder, and probably either Dillian Whyte or Tyson Fury, Usyk is currently a long shot proposition.

The only thing that seems certain right now about Usyk’s heavyweight campaign is more than 200 pounds worth of action and excitement, extra spaghetti and all.

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