Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk | PPV - 18 May 2024

[TBA]

Intriguing fight, I am going to have to go with Usyk, looking at the form guide. The only outlier is their respective performances against Chisora, but styles make fights, and also Usyk was still feeling his way into the heavyweight division, and I think he was assessing how he could handle a big full blown heavyweight..

Bring it on!

Good post. Usyk has since suggested that he needed to look vulnerable and beatable to get the Joshua fight. Take that as you will.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Saw a clip of Tyson posing with his top off, have to say, don't think he looks in good nick at all. He still had really weirdly shaped love handles, and he had loads of slack skin, which suggests he lost lots of weight very very quickly. which isn't a good thing.

He doesn't look particularly strong in the arms and shoulders - I undestand it's not bodybuilding, but he doesn't look like he's in top condition, I wonder if he's gone for weight loss, to come in light and with improved stamina, if so, suggests he is looking to fight at a pace, to try and match Usyk.

Intriguing fight, I am going to have to go with Usyk, looking at the form guide. The only outlier is their respective performances against Chisora, but styles make fights, and also Usyk was still feeling his way into the heavyweight division, and I think he was assessing how he could handle a big full blown heavyweight..

Bring it on!

Whether you like it or not, I class you as the resident BoxRec Strength and Conditioning expert, so it's interesting to read your point of view,

I have absolutely no idea why you've come to that conclusion!

There's definitely folks on here with far better knowledge on that topic than myself!

[jwfg]

Saw a clip of Tyson posing with his top off, have to say, don't think he looks in good nick at all. He still had really weirdly shaped love handles, and he had loads of slack skin, which suggests he lost lots of weight very very quickly. which isn't a good thing.

He doesn't look particularly strong in the arms and shoulders - I undestand it's not bodybuilding, but he doesn't look like he's in top condition, I wonder if he's gone for weight loss, to come in light and with improved stamina, if so, suggests he is looking to fight at a pace, to try and match Usyk.

Intriguing fight, I am going to have to go with Usyk, looking at the form guide. The only outlier is their respective performances against Chisora, but styles make fights, and also Usyk was still feeling his way into the heavyweight division, and I think he was assessing how he could handle a big full blown heavyweight..

Bring it on!

Whether you like it or not, I class you as the resident BoxRec Strength and Conditioning expert, so it's interesting to read your point of view,

I have absolutely no idea why you've come to that conclusion!

There's definitely folks on here with far better knowledge on that topic than myself!

Too late now, sir. Your word is gospel as far as I'm concerned.

[Controversial]

I started watching the Behind The Ropes doc about the Fury v Klitschko fight as I was bored. What was interesting is they spoke about his deceased uncle Hughie being the man that made him a success in boxing, while they were saying this his dad John just stood silent. Interesting to see how Peter Fury was in charge of things too in front of John.

[kbackup408]

Probably isn't the case but hoping Fury hasn't over trained, small margins in such a big fight!

[MightyWarrior]

Maybe they’re planning tactics like the third Wilder fight,: maul, brawl and bully the smaller man - whack him hard to the body. Don’t give him the space to outbox him.
You’d think he hasn’t that much to fear about fight ending shots coming back his way, compared to the whacks he took against Wilder, I mean if nothing else, he is a hard bastard and he always gets up off the floor. Unless his chin is gone

And this might sound like a great plan, but whether he can actually execute it these days is another question entirely

[paultom]

Maybe they’re planning tactics like the third Wilder fight,: maul, brawl and bully the smaller man - whack him hard to the body. Don’t give him the space to outbox him.
You’d think he hasn’t that much to fear about fight ending shots coming back his way, compared to the whacks he took against Wilder, I mean if nothing else, he is a hard bastard and he always gets up off the floor. Unless his chin is gone

And this might sound like a great plan, but whether he can actually execute it these days is another question entirely

I think Usyk is more than capable of hurting Fury,it's the speed and accuracy that might cause him problems,not one big shot.I watched the Cunnigham fight earlier,and he clearly hurt Fury a few times,Fury was much younger and fitter then,and Usyk is just a much better fighter all round then anyone Fury has ever fought,bar Wlad maybe

[jamesmcdonnell]

Interesting that usyk said "he looks a bit skinny"

Optics dont tell the entire story of course, but i dont think fury looks well prepped.

[MasterG]

I still think something bizarre is going to happen and the fight is a NC or draw. It's like everyone is getting excited now as the day draws closer, but I just cannot for the devil in me see a boxing match without controversy.

[jwfg]

Interesting that usyk said "he looks a bit skinny"

Optics dont tell the entire story of course, but i dont think fury looks well prepped.

See, even Usyk agrees with you.

[mike john]

I still think something bizarre is going to happen and the fight is a NC or draw. It's like everyone is getting excited now as the day draws closer, but I just cannot for the devil in me see a boxing match without controversy.

im having a £5 on the draw at 14/1. if i were a more cynical man, i could easily see a draw on saturday night, then a SD for fury in the rematch, setting up the fury joshua fight.

[polecateddy]

Maybe they’re planning tactics like the third Wilder fight,: maul, brawl and bully the smaller man - whack him hard to the body. Don’t give him the space to outbox him.
You’d think he hasn’t that much to fear about fight ending shots coming back his way, compared to the whacks he took against Wilder, I mean if nothing else, he is a hard bastard and he always gets up off the floor. Unless his chin is gone

And this might sound like a great plan, but whether he can actually execute it these days is another question entirely

He didn’t seem to have any power at all against Ngannou, so not sure he’s whacking anyone hard to the body.

[SeanBrennan]

I've no idea how this will play out, I keep changing my mind!

It could play out in so many different ways and I think those claiming it will be some kind of one sided beatdown are in for a shock.

I agree mate, all I want to see is the best versions of both. I think it could be an absolute classic. I really do like how classy Usyk's entire team have been throughout

[paultom]

I've no idea how this will play out, I keep changing my mind!

It could play out in so many different ways and I think those claiming it will be some kind of one sided beatdown are in for a shock.

I agree mate, all I want to see is the best versions of both. I think it could be an absolute classic. I really do like how classy Usyk's entire team have been throughout

With all that's going on in the world right now,it would be great to see a classy guy like Usyk rid the world of The fury's and their thuggish behaviours

[Miguello]

Can see Fury fighting very dirty in this fight. Like he did against Cunningham. And given the heavy bias towards Fury from ''his excellency'' wouldn't be surprised if the ref lets him get a way with it.

[deadpan]

Can see Fury fighting very dirty in this fight. Like he did against Cunningham. And given the heavy bias towards Fury from ''his excellency'' wouldn't be surprised if the ref lets him get a way with it.

I agree. If Tyson wins, it's in an ugly way.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Maybe they’re planning tactics like the third Wilder fight,: maul, brawl and bully the smaller man - whack him hard to the body. Don’t give him the space to outbox him.
You’d think he hasn’t that much to fear about fight ending shots coming back his way, compared to the whacks he took against Wilder, I mean if nothing else, he is a hard bastard and he always gets up off the floor. Unless his chin is gone

And this might sound like a great plan, but whether he can actually execute it these days is another question entirely

He didn’t seem to have any power at all against Ngannou, so not sure he’s whacking anyone hard to the body.

Im fairly certain, at this stage, duboius hits MUCH harder thab Fury. Fury is an arm puncher, he has never got proper rotation on his punches

[SeanBrennan]

It could play out in so many different ways and I think those claiming it will be some kind of one sided beatdown are in for a shock.

I agree mate, all I want to see is the best versions of both. I think it could be an absolute classic. I really do like how classy Usyk's entire team have been throughout

With all that's going on in the world right now,it would be great to see a classy guy like Usyk rid the world of The fury's and their thuggish behaviours

I agree here.

[Grilling Machine]

I agree. If Tyson wins, it's in an ugly way.

Aye, Usyk wins a clean fight, Fury a dirty one. Is Mark Nelson as grab-happy a ref as I've heard?

I'm unfamiliar with the judges. No idea if that's a good or bad sign. We know Joshua-Fury looms large.

[dr_devious]

If Fury's current level is his last fight then he's doomed. If he was taking Ngannou lightly then different story. Who knows (apart from Fury) until Sat night.

[Coco]

Tyson turns up, he wins, and wins inside the distance

[tonyevs]

I said very early on that Fury will diet his way into shape and come in light (for him). To be fair I think he has a bit more muscle on his arms/shoulders/chest than I'd expected - I'm sure the boar testicles been served on a regular cycle for that.

The thing with Tyson Fury there has been years of fake claims made about his fighting prowess, and repeat any lie enough times and it gets taken as truth.
He certainly doesn't have Ali-like skills, speed or boxing intelligence .. he has just been fortunate to fight very old or poor opposition and have the ability to convince enough people their eyes/intelligence is wrong.

Facts are Fury has had little preparation for the Usyk fight. His opponents the last few years have been terrible.
You can get fit in months - but stamina takes years to build.
Fury has skinny legs which will tire carrying that big torso if made to work harder than his typical plodding pace. Yes he has lost lots of weight, but he still has huge love handles .. the belly/love-handle are the last place weight shifts and the glutes being the first .. those are weakened legs.
Much has been made of Fury's huge size advantage - but he isn't the most solid big guy, he has been knocked down heavy by much smaller guys and knocked down by seemingly glancing shots. Also, when your a tall guy who fights quite straight and upright it's a disadvantage fighting a much smaller opponent because you typically leave your chin exposed punching down.

The biggest concern for Usyk, as others have identified, is that Fury seems to be the favourite of His Excellency. This could mean that the referee turns a blind eye to Fury's fouling, and scores rounds for Fury for grabbing more than his punching.

I think the fight will be a perfect Sunday morning fight - read the reports before deciding whether to watch it. I'm anticipating a stinker concluding very controversially.

[Oiky]

Not long now Tyson will be 100% up for this but there's no taking from Usyk he's just so good in more ways than one, a very awkward customer.

Biggest issue for Usyk is can he overcome the obvious physical advantages Tyson has against him, sometimes with all the skill and will in the world being just physically outmatched, especially with someone who won't be shy of roughing you up and trying to take your energy with it, might be just a bit too much for you.

This is one of them ones where I just can't picture the pair of them losing

[jtourettes]

Saw a clip of Tyson posing with his top off, have to say, don't think he looks in good nick at all. He still had really weirdly shaped love handles, and he had loads of slack skin, which suggests he lost lots of weight very very quickly. which isn't a good thing.

He doesn't look particularly strong in the arms and shoulders - I undestand it's not bodybuilding, but he doesn't look like he's in top condition, I wonder if he's gone for weight loss, to come in light and with improved stamina, if so, suggests he is looking to fight at a pace, to try and match Usyk.

Intriguing fight, I am going to have to go with Usyk, looking at the form guide. The only outlier is their respective performances against Chisora, but styles make fights, and also Usyk was still feeling his way into the heavyweight division, and I think he was assessing how he could handle a big full blown heavyweight..

Bring it on!

I don't disagree with your overall point but I think with Fury, a fair bit of the slack skin is still from his fat blowout days, and hard to shift without surgery.

[Nightmare Roy]

I just hope there is no controversy, I've got a bad feeling there may be.