Outboxing men comparable in size wasn’t the most surprising thing in the world for Oleksandr Usyk. The current Ring Magazine heavyweight belt holder used his skills, speed, and wits in the ring to dominate every cruiserweight who stood before him. After aggregating every trinket and clearing out the division, the land of big men was his next logical step.

Malik Scott, like some, was skeptical that the former cruiserweight undisputed champion had what it takes to be successful. But, after doing exactly what he did in his previous weight class, Scott is more than impressed.

As the former heavyweight contender turned trainer continues to dissect exactly how Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) gets it done, he’s come to the conclusion that being bigger, stronger, and more powerful - isn’t exactly a plus. Matchups against Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora, and most recently - Tyson Fury, weren’t walks in the park but ultimately, the Ukrainian left the ring with his hand raised. Those aforementioned fighters may have possessed more than respectable power but according to Scott, Usyk has yet to swap fists with someone capable of knocking his head into the 15th row.

“Usyk knows how to deal with guys that punch hard,” explained Scott to The Ring during a recent interview. “But I’ve never seen him in with a concussive puncher.”

Scott, ironically enough, just so happens to train one of the hardest punchers the sport of boxing has ever seen in Deontay Wilder. Although he hasn’t quite looked like his old dominant self, Scott is still fully convinced that the former WBC belt holder is a unique threat to Usyk’s throne.

“Not all heavyweights can punch and get to a target like Deontay.”

In the not-so-distant past, Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) would make quick work of his opponents. While he often trailed on the scorecards, one punch was all he needed. Nowadays, however, the right hand that has bailed him out of countless trouble - hasn’t made an appearance. Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang have left both Wilder and Scott in an uncomfortable position.

Still, even with the 39-year-old unwilling to let his right hand go, Scott doesn't believe that Wilder is a shot fighter. While he isn’t likely to land a crack at the current Ring and unified champ next, Scott wholeheartedly believes that if his man were given a chance, Usyk would have to be as sharp as ever to beat him.

“You just don’t wanna get hit with that missile.”