Hello Breadman. I agree with you that there are tiers to all-time greatness. The way I see it there are also tiers to the level fighters are classed as. For example, the very top, true elite S-tier fighters, if you will, they have everything. It’s the tier I have Terence Crawford and Bam Rodriguez in currently. This level of fighter doesn’t leave any food on the table, they are always in position to punch, and they never do anything for no reason; very little wasted movement. These are two of the only guys who will consistently counter to the body. They can fight inside and outside, they can slip, parry, use feet for defence and offence, and have enough power in both hands and can throw every punch. They have the conditioning to go 12 rounds and not be gassed out, and can hold a shot too if they do get hit. Truly complete fighters who do things the right way; the way it’s supposed to be done. They come for the knockout every time if it’s there. If we are talking solely about ability, without factoring in achievement, then in a pound-for-pound sense these are the best two fighters in the world in my view. A tier or half tier below is where I would put Bivol and Usyk, in A or A+ tier. These are absolutely great fighters, and have very possibly proved they are all-time great already. For me, however, they lack a few things that Crawford and Bam have. They are a little more rigid in straight lines. Bivol, if you ask him to fight inside, I don’t think it’s happening. He wants everything on the end of his punches and that’s that. Usyk, I was watching a little of one of his fights with Fury and you know it was really the straight left hand, to head and body, that did the job. If Fury were to fight him a third time and said he was going to fight southpaw, I might actually pick him to win this time. If you take away the left from Usyk, while he does for sure have other tools in his toolbox, I’m not sure he has the adaptability of a Bam or a Crawford. Maybe what I’m saying is Usyk and Bivol are quite conventional, whereas Bam and Crawford have that textbook but also have more improvisation and are more free-flowing. Bivol and Usyk are very systematized, the way that most Eastern European fighters are. Another thing I would say is all four have great composure. This tends to come with confidence in great ability in my observation. I’m very interested to hear what you think about this and if you make a distinction between being a fully complete fighter vs being complete in a certain style. Lastly, and I hope this isn’t too long, I really respected the way you spoke about your split with Caleb Plant. You spoke highly of him before you ever trained him and you still speak highly of him now. I hope that other fighters pay attention to the way you conducted yourself, and understand that the character you’ve shown shows you’re the real deal. Much respect.
