A legendary former cruiserweight champion, turned heavyweight champion, fights for the title of undisputed against their British born adversary, the division’s other belt holder.
The boxing world correctly knows that the opening stanza is referring to this Saturday’s mega fight for the undisputed heavyweight title between, Oleksandr Usyk 36, (21-0 (14), 6’3”… 78”, and Tyson Fury 35, (34-0-1 (24), 6’9… 85”.
That said, I wouldn’t fault the non-boxing world, or the casuals, as you will, if they believed it were referring to the November 1999 Evander Holyfield v. Lennox Lewis fight. Lewis bested Holyfield on that night to become the undisputed champion, the last that the division has seen.
This Saturday night, ironically once again, for undisputed, a former legendary cruiserweight champion turned heavyweight champion, will knuckle up with another heavyweight champion from the UK. At the conclusion of the bout, we’ll be able to change the word “last” undisputed champion, to “reigning”. Assuming of course, the bout doesn’t end in a draw.
The bout between Usyk and Fury has been fermenting for some time. The original date for the bout was slated earlier this year on February 17; however, had to be postponed due to a cut over Fury’s right eye, that he sustained during a sparring session. This cut, no doubt, can be directly related back to Fury’s bout against Otto Wallin. Six degrees of Otto Wallin. More on that later.
As far as activity is concerned, Fury’s last fight was October 28, 2023, against Francis Ngannou, with two fights in 2022, TKO 10 Derek Chisora, and TKO 6 Dillian Whyte. One bout in 2021, KO 11 Deontay Wilder, one in 2020 TKO 7 Wilder, and two bouts in 2019, UD Wallin, TKO 2 Tom Schwarz.
Usyk last fought on Aug 26, 2023, knocking out Daniel Dubois in 9. Usyk had one fight in 2022, a rematch and SD win over Anthony Joshua, one in 2021 UD Joshua, one in 2020, UD Chisora, and one bout in 2019, a stoppage of Chazz Witherspoon.
In considering common opponents (1) Chisora, and other opponents each has faced, identifying potential insights into this bout, I couldn’t help but keep coming back to Wallin.
Six degrees of Otto Wallin. The six degrees theory is that one person is connected to another through six or fewer acquaintances. Look no further than Wallin, who’s linked to Joshua, who’s linked to Klitschko, who’s linked to Fury, who’s linked to Whyte, who’s linked to Chisora, who’s linked to Usyk. Ok, ok, settle down, I know that I could have used any of the others instead of Wallin, or even a few other connections not listed; however, Wallin is key.
A southpaw fighter with a size almost identical to Usyk; however, although a good fighter, not Usyk. As such, I adjusted my observations accordingly while reviewing tape of the Fury v. Wallin fight. That said, I believe there are relevant takeaways for what to expect this Saturday.
If my review is correct, in fights against southpaws in his career, (7) seven to be exact. Fury has 3 stoppages, and 4 decisions. His last bout against a southpaw was in fact, against Wallin.
In reviewing the tape of Fury v. Wallin, it became abundantly clear, if that version of Fury shows up on Saturday, he’s in deep against Usyk. From the opening bell, and for several rounds, Wallin, using his jab, was able to force Fury to fight off his back foot, backing him into the ropes repeatedly, and working Fury at different levels, body, chest, and head.
The cut, as previously mentioned, occurred in the third round. A big open gash over the right eye of Fury. There is no doubt that the cut changed Fury’s approach for several rounds, as he pawed at the cut and wiped the blood away between punches.
Over the next several rounds, Fury adjusted and did what he does best, moved, boxed, and parried. He attacked the body, throwing timely uppercuts, and straight rights. In addition, he fought extremely well coming off the ropes. Fury began to impose his will, and banked rounds on his way to the UD.
As I watched the tape, I envisioned Usyk’s style and applied it to the success that Wallin was having, and I began to lean towards Usyk in this Saturday’s fight. If Wallin, again, a very good pugilist, (although a southpaw like Usyk with an almost identical size, not Usyk, there are levels here) can have that type of success against Fury, then surely the cards are stacked in the Ukrainian’s favor.
I believed that to be the case until I looked deeper into what the Wallin fight taught Fury, and the adversities that he has had to overcome in his career. The lessons of experience.
The Wallin fight has prepared Fury for Saturday night, not in its entirety, but in the lessons learned. I believe that Fury will allow Usyk to have similar successes as Wallin did, pushing him to the ropes, and exerting energy throwing punches. Usyk is a volume puncher, so his output will be high, and will fall into the Fury game plan, which may be a rope-a dope type of approach. Fury fights extremely well off the ropes and is well suited with his reach to counter the hard charging Usyk.
Fury’s reach, speed, power, and boxing prowess will be the difference. I believe Fury will keep the stick in Usyk’s face, while working behind it, damaging the body, and looking for his timely power shots, most likely in the form of a straight right, or uppercut.
In video review of Usyk’s past bouts, it is obvious that his opponents at heavyweight were well suited for his style. Slow & plodding in their approach, power yes; however, right in front of Usyk and there to be hit, due to the absence of skills in all the other categories a pugilist must possess. Yes AJ, is probably the strongest exception here and has a bit more skill, but due to the lingering doubt in his mind due to the Andy Ruiz debacles, he was a bit cautious in both bouts against Usyk, and it cost him. Ok, I’ll give you Daniel Dubois not fitting the narrative as well, but there are levels, and he has yet to show he deserves to be elevated.
Before the Twitter/X faithful attack, me, lol, please understand that I am a big fan of Usyk, and all that he brings to the ring, just not in this matchup. I have followed he and Lomachenko, and all the outstanding Ukrainian fighters for some time. I favored Usyk in every heavyweight fight that he has had due to the matchup of styles, that were tailor made for him, as referenced previously.
These styles allowed Usyk to excel with all the great tools that he has, with limited opposition.
In this fight, he’ll have a very different skill set in front of him in Fury. A big that moves, has speed, and can use angles. Add power to the equation, and this matchup begins to look less and less attractive for Usyk.
A bit about adversity. Usyk has yet to face it in the ring (the body shot by Dubois notwithstanding, and yes it was legal), whereas Fury has on multiple occasions. Usyk will no doubt face adversity in this one, and he is of a strong mindset, so it will be interesting. Fury will also face adversity against Usyk; however, as he has in the past, we know he will adapt.
Fury has been uncharacteristically mild in demeanor leading up to the fight, even going so far as to praise Usyk, now that’s different. Fury appears to be fully focused, as evident by his physical appearance, which is much leaner than we’ve seen him. Couple this with the massive decrease in his NSFW showmanship, and boisterous demeanor, and it screams focus.
A disciplined Fury is the best big in the business.
When Fury fought Deontay Wilder, at least in the first two fights, Wilder was considered a legitimate threat to beat Fury. We arguably got the best Fury we’ve had in both fights. Wilder was a danger to all that he held dear, which is legacy for the Fury name. Usyk is the first fighter since Wilder to pose that threat, this time, it’s tenfold. Wilder can punch yes, but Usyk can box, and has sneaky power, as such he is a clear and present danger, arguably more than Wilder.
This will be a very interesting matchup. As the saying goes styles make fights. It will be close at times, but each will have moments. A knockdown of each is not out of the question. In the end, I envision a strong start by Fury working behind the jab, and solid combination punching, with a focused attack to the body, softening Usyk up for the last third of the fight. Usyk will adjust after the first third of the fight and turn the tide a bit. Using his outstanding boxing skills, he’ll work underneath Fury’s reach and do damage. This is when Fury will conserve energy and use the ropes, channeling his inner Muhmmad Ali’s rope-a-dope. Usyk is a warrior and will go all out to stop Fury, but his aggression will be his poison and he’ll get clipped as Fury comes off the ropes. We’ll see him face the most adversity he has ever faced, and he’ll either go out on his shield, or hold on and lose by decision.
All that’s ever mattered to Tyson Fury is the legacy of all that he holds dear, his family name. Built from a gypsy’s cloth, he’s a warrior, and has been prepared for this moment, through trials and tribulations.
Going forward, Fury will face AJ, thus adding to the six degrees of Otto Wallin.
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