All you need to know about Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Mike Coppinger from ESPN wrote an article on September 29th, 2023 at 7:00 PM.

Finally, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will soon face off for the top position in the heavyweight division.

According to sources, ESPN reported that Fury and Usyk have agreed to go head-to-head in a heavy-weight championship match that will determine the unquestionable winner in Saudi Arabia. The date for the fight is yet to be confirmed, but it could happen around Dec. 23 or later in January.

This upcoming bout is more than just a championship clash. It's a legendary face-off between two of the best boxers in the heavyweight division of all time. A unique showdown between two top 10 pound-for-pound heavyweights (with Usyk ranked third and Fury ranked sixth).

Prior to facing his most difficult opponent yet, Fury is scheduled to battle against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on October 28th, also in Saudi Arabia, as a warm-up for his anticipated bout with Usyk.

When Fury and Usyk fight for the heavyweight title, who will have the advantage? If Ngannou pulls off an unexpected victory, what occurs? Let's analyze the situation:

Legacy refers to the ability to boast and take pride in being the most dominant heavyweight of the current time period.

Fury and Usyk have already secured a spot in the Hall of Fame through their remarkable performances. However, the results of their upcoming match will play a significant role in establishing their legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights in history.

Fury faced a lot of negative feedback when the fight against Usyk was cancelled in March. However, he decided to fight an MMA fighter shortly after. Now, Fury has redeemed himself by organizing not just one, but two major heavyweight fights within a few months.

Using the Ngannou fight could help him get rid of any rustiness and improve his physical condition for the Usyk match. Usyk, who is a smaller heavyweight and has a quicker fighting style, will aim to strike before Fury.

If Fury manages to defeat Usyk, he'll likely become the favored bettor and establish himself as the top heavyweight boxer of his era. While Klitschko's reign lasted longer, Fury ended it in 2015, and defeating Usyk would further enhance his reputation as he adds another accomplished fighter to his impressive list of victories.

If Usyk were to win, it would be a huge accomplishment. He would be like Evander Holyfield, a legendary boxer who dominated the cruiserweight division and later triumphed as a heavyweight champion. Holyfield famously defeated Mike Tyson in an unforgettable heavyweight championship match in 1996, although the rematch became infamous for Tyson biting Holyfield's ear.

If Usyk wins, it would provide convincing evidence for him to take the ESPN pound-for-pound crown that is currently held by Terence Crawford.

Fury Vs Ngannou: What Happened?

Mike Tyson believes that the upcoming match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou won't be a completely one-sided battle as many people are predicting. Tyson spoke out about his thoughts on the fight, stating that both fighters are incredibly talented and have the potential to win. He noted that Ngannou is a powerful striker with an impressive record, but Fury is a skilled boxer who has proven himself in the ring multiple times. Tyson acknowledged that it will be an exciting match to watch, and that fans shouldn't underestimate either fighter's abilities.

Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim have a conversation with Mike Tyson and Francis Ngannou regarding Ngannou's way of thinking and plan while entering his initial boxing match versus Tyson Fury.

Ngannou is a prominent figure in the world of combat sports, and his upcoming match against Fury will undoubtedly generate more enthusiasm for the much-awaited confrontation with Usyk.

However, there's always a certain amount of risk involved when a boxer has two successive fights scheduled. Even though Ngannou has no prior experience in boxing, they are still set to face Fury, who is considered an exceptional boxer, in a non-title match. Many people doubt that Ngannou will be able to win, but in the heavyweight division, unexpected outcomes have occurred before.

Although highly unlikely, Ngannou has an enormous build (standing at 6 feet and 4 inches, and weighing 257 pounds) and possesses substantial strength in both of his fists. In the event that he manages to land a clear punch, anything could happen.

It is very likely that Fury might get injured during the fight, which is a bigger possibility than Ngannou winning unexpectedly. In such a case, the fight could be postponed, and Fury's upcoming fight with Usyk, which is scheduled for Dec. 23, might also get delayed. It's important to remember that anything can happen in a fight.

According to former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, Tyson Fury is one of the greatest boxers of all time. In 2018, Miocic beat Ngannou, but he lost in their second fight. Despite this, Miocic acknowledges that Francis is a strong and agile fighter. He hopes that Francis surprises everyone with an unexpected victory in their upcoming fight.

Sanctioning Body Shenanigans: Are They Still Happening?

When talking about undisputed championship fights, the regulations of the four main organizations that oversee the sport often play a big role. However, the lucrative fees that come with a major fight mean that nobody is going to stand in the way of it happening.

Usyk secured his position as the WBA mandatory by enduring a below-the-belt hit from Daniel Dubois before ultimately knocking him out in Round 9 this past August. The president of the WBC, Mauricio Sulaiman, has indicated that Fury is currently not obligated to fight any mandatory opponents.

Filip Hrgovic currently holds the title of the IBF's top contender and is eager to make his mark in the ring. However, his chance to shine may be delayed until after Fury and Usyk have their match.

After winning by TKO in the third round in a rematch against Joe Joyce last week, Zhilei Zhang is now the holder of the WBO interim heavyweight title. This win could potentially offer him a chance to fight against the winner of an upcoming match. It's worth noting that, like Fury, Zhang is also promoted by Frank Warren.

Fury Vs. Usyk: Who Will Prevail?

Fury has a unique skill set, as a boxer who can throw precise jabs and strike with accuracy while retreating. Despite his size of 6-foot-9 and weighing 270-pounds, he possesses tremendous agility and displayed his prowess when he outmatched Klitschko through effective boxing techniques back in 2015.

In recent years, Fury has changed the way he fights. Nowadays, he likes to overpower his opponents by grappling and wearing them down with his enormous size and weight. He executed this tactic excellently in his second and third matches against Deontay Wilder, who is widely regarded as one of the most powerful boxers in the heavyweight category. Fury's ruthless approach resulted in him inflicting severe damage on Wilder.

It is probable that Fury will use the identical tactic when facing Usyk.

Why bother trying to outbox the skilled boxer Usyk when Fury can rely on his anticipated 50-pound weight advantage on the night of the fight? He could apply pressure on Usyk by physically leaning on him, weakening his legs.

On the other hand, Usyk is likely to utilize his expert footwork and strategic positioning to catch Fury off guard with well-timed counter attacks and steer clear of any potential dangers. His key strategy will be to keep Fury within the center of the fighting territory, not allowing himself to be pushed back onto the ropes and taking control of the match from that central position. Usyk already has valuable experience facing opponents who are bigger and stronger than himself, having fought against Anthony Joshua for 24 rounds, who could very well be an even stronger puncher than Fury. Nevertheless, despite his considerable talent, Usyk acknowledges that he is not quite on the same tier of boxing expertise as Fury.

Usyk also fights from a southpaw stance, which has caused Fury some problems in previous bouts. We can see an example of this in the fight against Otto Wallin, where Fury had a difficult time before ultimately winning by decision.

This seems to be a close battle that either of the competitors could emerge victorious from, but Fury has a slight advantage.