- OLEKSANDR USYK (17-0, 13 KOs)
To me, the cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight is a wild card. I stick to what I’ve written, that he’s too small to become a dominating heavyweight. I compare him to David Haye, an outstanding 200-pounder who became just an OK heavyweight. Usyk is a better boxer than Haye but has less punching power. I think Tyson Fury would outbox him. And I shudder to think what would happen if Wilder landed a big shot on the chin of a blown-up cruiserweight, as talented as the 2018 Fighter of the Year is. The same goes for one of Anthony Joshua’s biggest punches. At the same time, Usyk might be more gifted – and sturdy – than I realize. Maybe he has the ability to box with any heavyweight. Maybe he’s just clever enough to avoid the lights-out bombs delivered by bigger men. And maybe, just maybe, he can take such a shot from a Wilder or Joshua. Time will tell whether Usyk is a legitimate heavyweight or just a wannabe.