News Usyk reverses retirement plans

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Says that he plans to fight until age 41. For reference he'll be 39 in January which would mean another 2-3 years from now. This opens up the possibility of him facing the likes of Parker, Kabayel, and/or eventually Itauma. We know that he's already been ordered by the WBO to fight the winner of Parker vs Wardley next.

On a related note I see that many media outlets misreported part of this news. For whatever reason Usyk was asked about whether Itauma would be his next opponent and he said that he wouldn't be fighting him, not that he'd never fight him in the future. Somehow his statement ended up being taken out of context. For clarification here is the original source interview that he gave Ready To Fight. Credit to Sky Sports for actually bothering to do their homework!

 

[randomg1t]

well that's a shame. he should quit while he's ahead. pushing it till 41 is just begging to get clipped by some up and comer.

 

[SuperLuigi]

If he wins another 4+ big fights that will be pretty legendary. Could be top 5 HW ATG.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

well that's a shame. he should quit while he's ahead. pushing it till 41 is just begging to get clipped by some up and comer.

It's pushing it but he knows his own body better than we do. I've been saying for a while now that he should retire while he's still on top. Lennox advised him to do the same. On the other hand, we'll get to see some if not all of those match-ups. Imagine if he beats all 3 of those guys especially at this age. I'm not sure that he does but it would further build his resume at heavyweight. Two of them are currently undefeated.

 

[Blastbeat]

Gonna fight the winner of Parker/Wardley for sure, thats his mandatory. Is Kabayel also a mandatory? Beyond those two there isnt anything else i would be interested in Usyk doing. Itauma is too fresh, doesnt appeal to me at all.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Gonna fight the winner of Parker/Wardley for sure, thats his mandatory. Is Kabayel also a mandatory? Beyond those two there isnt anything else i would be interested in Usyk doing. Itauma is too fresh, doesnt appeal to me at all.

Kabayel is his WBC mandatory. Itauma is looking to take his time for now. They want Pulev next. That fight won't do anything for him other than make him WBA regular champ (which won't be ordered as a mandatory for another year and a half).

 

[treelo]

Gonna fight the winner of Parker/Wardley for sure, thats his mandatory. Is Kabayel also a mandatory? Beyond those two there isnt anything else i would be interested in Usyk doing. Itauma is too fresh, doesnt appeal to me at all.

not right now, but in 2 or 3 years as a Usyk retirement fight, Itauma may have gained enough experience in 5 or 6 fights to be ready

 

[Jonny Ninja]

well that's a shame. he should quit while he's ahead. pushing it till 41 is just begging to get clipped by some up and comer.

It would be a real shame for him to lose his unbeaten record because he fought too long. However outside of Itauma, I don’t think anyone has the skills to beat him, and Moses isn’t gonna be ready for him within a couple of years. My biggest issue is I’m struggling to get excited about his upcoming fights as I don’t see them as being particularly competitive.

 

[StopDucking]

As boxers fight less and less often, expect them to also fight longer, not because they have to but because their bodies can handle it. Some of you need an update on the year we’re in.

Andre Ward retired at 34 years old and still has 8 more fights than Usyk ffs.

If they feel good, look good, and perform good, let them fight.

 

[SandisLL]

As boxers fight less and less often, expect them to also fight longer, not because they have to but because their bodies can handle it. Some of you need an update on the year we’re in.

Andre Ward retired at 34 years old and still has 8 more fights than Usyk ffs.

If they feel good, look good, and perform good, let them fight.

Usyk had damn a lot of mileage in ams.
Ofc yanks disrespect ams because are assuming that all these aren't paid, are some sort of local pub fighters etc.

However a lot of top level ams are ..their job is to fight under am rules. Also earning more than low level pros anywhere.

for example the same former socialist countries...
Where nice " gifts " if you will get medals, cups in continental, world level, Games.
In some countries if you are member of olympic team you will get financial support, housing assistance, healthy food, doctors, massages, physiotherapy, pool for free, gym and nutritionist for free....

These top level ams aren't versions of yourneymans fighting bums for record and studs for paycheck or just bums.

They are highly motivated to win otherwise might loss their perks pretty soon. Also gifts and permials aren't for loosers.
plus tournament format stuff where you fight next opponent you will get fed or go home...

Ofc I don't compare ams with pro boxers with 10 or 12 rounds fights ...
These 4 and 6 rounders for example.

 

[Mujeriego]

I guess he’s a liar.
Fuckin liar.

 

[treelo]

As boxers fight less and less often, expect them to also fight longer, not because they have to but because their bodies can handle it. Some of you need an update on the year we’re in.

Andre Ward retired at 34 years old and still has 8 more fights than Usyk ffs.

If they feel good, look good, and perform good, let them fight.

i mean this is a very narrow minded take on things, Andre Ward had 120 amatuer fights, Usyk had 350

but lets ignore that as it doesnt suit your narrative

 

[SandisLL]

I guess he’s a liar.
Fuckin liar.

Who? Usyk?
He always had fought all contracted fights, never had failed weight ins, didn't had tortured opponents with clauses, never told that he is unbeatable or like this.

So why we might assume that Usyk now will change?

 

[SandisLL]

BTW for usyk not only all most important pro boxing fights, also all most important am boxing fights were on foreign soil.
Accuse that he doesn't have balls is ridiculous.

Especially notable is that Usyk had fights with title on line vs tickets sellers, so even more important legacy.....

 

[defjaam]

I'm wondering if the war has something to do with this decision. Maybe feels he's helping his people the most when an ukrainian is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

 

[Mujeriego]

I'm wondering if the war has something to do with this decision. Maybe feels he's helping his people the most when a ukrainian is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Him vs Beterbiev
Catch weight.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

As boxers fight less and less often, expect them to also fight longer, not because they have to but because their bodies can handle it. Some of you need an update on the year we’re in.

Andre Ward retired at 34 years old and still has 8 more fights than Usyk ffs.

If they feel good, look good, and perform good, let them fight.

More professional fights but he still has 4 less title fights and had hundreds less amateur bouts than Usyk.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

I'm wondering if the war has something to do with this decision. Maybe feels he's helping his people the most when an ukrainian is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Most likely. He probably feels it's his duty or whatever even though it isn't.

 

[BoxingMMA]

It's fun when fighters arent afraid to lose their undefeated records for the sake of legacy. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

 

[Dr Fong]

I'm wondering if the war has something to do with this decision. Maybe feels he's helping his people the most when an ukrainian is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

I am sure it's noble patriotism and has nothing to do with dump trucks full of Saudi cash.