Fury vs. Usyk Preview -

Tyson Fury’s upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk will determine boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. In 1999, Lennox Lewis became the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Evander Holyfield in their rematch. Both Lewis and Holyfield hung up their gloves long ago. No matter who wins, this is a historic moment in boxing. Let’s dive into the Fury vs. Usyk preview ahead of this historic fight.

Fury vs. Usyk Preview: Fury’s Side of the Fight

Tyson Fury weighed in for his historic fight with Oleksandr Usyk at 262 pounds. This is far lighter than his weigh-in weight of 277.5 pounds for his non-title fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Fury likely underestimated Ngannou due to Ngannou’s lack of boxing experience at the time. Ngannou knocked Fury down in that fight, but Fury won by a controversial split decision.

Fury’s lighter weight demonstrates his much-improved preparation for the fight with Usyk. Additionally, Tyson Fury is six feet, nine inches tall and has an 85-inch reach. He will have a seven-inch reach advantage against the lighter and shorter Usyk. Fury can box effectively from both the orthodox and southpaw stances.

Fury will have to use his power and size to bully the smaller Usyk while also capitalizing on his reach advantage. Despite his size, Fury is a technical boxer and will not give Usyk many openings. Also, Tyson Fury is remarkably tough, as shown dramatically by him rising from a knockdown in round 12 of his first fight with Deontay Wilder.

Fury also has the experience advantage, having competed at heavyweight for his entire career. Despite coming off a lackluster performance against Ngannou, the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is a major challenge for any heavyweight in the world.

Usyk’s Side of the Fight

Oleksandr Usyk comes into this fight having won his previous fight against Daniel Dubois last August by ninth-round knockout. Usyk weighed in at 223.5 pounds. This is the heaviest Usyk has been in his entire career.

Usyk is lighter and faster than Fury and will have to quickly close the distance, do damage on the inside, and avoid Fury’s power punches. Fury’s reach advantage means that Usyk cannot stay on the outside in this fight. Usyk must try to time Tyson Fury’s punches and hit him with effective counters. Doing so is key for Usyk given the circumstances of this fight.

This is the sixth heavyweight fight for the Ukrainian boxer Usyk. Usyk has shrugged off Fury’s mind games and remains focused on the task at hand. Regardless of the size difference, Usyk is an elite boxer who holds the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles following two wins over former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Usyk will provide Fury with a tough test in this historic fight.

Official Prediction: Usyk By Decision

Predicting the outcome of this super-fight is incredibly difficult. Usyk has the speed advantage but Fury has the power and size advantage along with more experience fighting as a heavyweight. Usyk and Fury have both beaten elite competition in the heavyweight division. However, this writer predicts that Oleksandr Usyk will win a close decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Usyk is supremely technical and quick for the heavyweight division. That could cause the larger but likely slower Fury issues, especially in the later rounds. Usyk can use his speed to land effective punches on Fury and stay out of danger. However, Fury will certainly put up an incredible fight against Usyk.