Yes, we are talking about the undisputed heavyweight showdown. In the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are all set to decide the best heavyweight in the world.
In one corner, we have the Gypsy King, the WBC heavyweight champion, the man who dances with destiny and leaves chaos in his wake – Tyson Fury. And in the other corner, a master tactician, the undisputed cruiserweight kingpin turned heavyweight contender – Oleksandr Usyk!
Tyson Fury enters the square with an impressive record of 34-0-1. In his last bout, Fury demonstrated resilience by rising from the canvas to narrowly defeat former UFC champion Ngannou on a split decision.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian fighter, transitioned from cruiserweight to heavyweight and comfortably beat Anthony Joshua in their two showdowns. Usyk’s last fight saw him retain his IBF, WBA, and WBO world heavyweight titles by stopping Daniel Dubois in the ninth round.
What keeps the tension crackling in the air is that it isn’t just a regular fight. It’s size versus skill, power versus finesse. It’s Fury’s brawn against Usyk’s brain. Will Usyk dethrone the Gypsy King? Or will Fury etch his name as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999?
Only time will tell. So mark your calendars for May 18 and tune in at 2pm ET to see the two gladiators write history! In the meanwhile, stay with us as we dig deep into strengths, weaknesses, and other aspects of the two titans of contemporary boxing.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Date, Time, and Venue
The highly anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024. The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2 p.m. ET, DAZN PPV & PPV.com).
Date: Saturday, 18 May
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Venue: The fight will take place at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Broadcast
The epic battle between Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk will be streamed live worldwide exclusively on PPV through DAZN, offering fans an uninterrupted viewing experience.
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What’s on the Line in Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Showdown?
When it comes to the stakes, they are as high as it gets. It marks the first four-belt, undisputed heavyweight title fight in the era of all four recognized titles. Both fighters put their respective championships on the line: Fury as the WBC heavyweight champion and Usyk as the WBA, IBF, and IBO titleholder.
For Tyson Fury, this victory would solidify his dominant force in the heavyweight division, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
And for Oleksandr Usyk, a win would not only add another impressive accolade to his already impressive resume but also elevate him to the status of an undisputed champion, a rare achievement in boxing history.
It’s a battle of supremacy and the world is waiting to see where this fight goes.
The Bumpy Road to Usyk vs. Fury
While the Ring of Fire bout is just around the corner, the fans have been awaiting the clash for more than a year now. Fury vs Usyk bout was originally set to happen in Wembley last April, but negotiation hurdles delayed the event to just before Christmas.
The build-up to the showdown was electric, with excitement reaching fever pitch. However, the dramatic Fury vs. Ngannou fight threw a wrench into the works. The intense, life-and-death battle resulted in yet another delay for the Fury vs. Usyk bout, pushing it back to February 17.
Just when it seemed the fight was finally set, disaster struck. Fury suffered a cut above his eye in his final sparring session, forcing another postponement.
In light of the delay, Fury took to Instagram to comment on the situation:
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such a superb condition. I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.”
“I can only apologise to everyone affected including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners, and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The match had to be rescheduled as soon as possible, and the teams aligned on a new date, with the monumental clash now set for May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Final Press Conference
In the final press conference leading up to the epic showdown of Fury vs Usyk, Fury refused to engage in a face-off with Usyk. Speaking to the world’s media ahead of the bout, both fighters left short messages for their fans to hear. When asked about not being engaged in a face-off with Usyk, he said:
“He’s a scary-looking dude”
“I’m just here to relax now and wait until I get into the ring on Saturday night. All the talking is done, all the interviewing is done. I’m really relaxed and focused.”
Refusing to give much away, he ended the conference saying:
“I want to thank God for the victory I’ve received already,” Fury began.
“I want to thank people for putting this event on and I want to thank Oleksandr Usyk for challenging me.
“I’m ready. I’ve got nothing else to say apart from I’m ready for a good fight.”
When Usyk was given a chance to speak at the conference, the Ukrainian just gave off with:
“Let’s make history. Enough. Thanks very much,”
When both the men were asked to face each other at the end of the conference, Usyk turned to face his opponent, but Fury decided to deviate. Choosing to gaze at the crowd throughout, Fury broke the norm of a traditional face-off.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Fight Card
- Main Event: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk (Undisputed Heavyweight Championship)
- Co-main Event: Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis (vacant IBF Cruiserweight Championship)
- Joe Cordina vs. Anthony Cacace (IBF Super Featherweight Championship)
- Agit Kabayel vs. Frank Sanchez (Heavyweights)
- Mark Chamberlain vs. Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab (Lightweights)
- Sergey Kovalev vs. Robin Sirwan Safar (Light Heavyweights)
- Isaac Lowe vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi (Featherweights)
- David Nyika vs. Michael Seitz (Cruiserweights)
- Moses Itauma vs. Ilja Mezencev (Heavyweights)
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Fighting Style Comparison
Here’s an in-depth round-up of the skillsets of both contenders, giving you a better idea of the fate of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk blockbuster.
Tyson Fury’s Key Strengths
- Size and Reach: Fury has a significant advantage in terms of size. Standing at 6’9” (205 cm), he is six inches taller than Usyk. His 85-inch (216 cm) reach is also seven inches longer than the Ukrainian’s. This reach advantage allows Fury to control the distance and keep opponents at bay.
- Footwork: Despite his size, Fury is surprisingly nimble. He utilises shuffling footwork and upper body movement to frustrate opponents and avoid punches. His excellent footwork and hand speed make him elusive in the ring.
- Boxing IQ: Fury is known for his strategic approach to fights, often outthinking opponents and adapting his style mid-fight. Fury’s understanding of his opponents’ strengths and weaknesses enables him to devise game plans that exploit vulnerabilities while minimising risks.
Tyson Fury’s Weaknesses
- Knockout Power: While powerful for his size, Fury doesn’t rely on knockouts. His punches are more about controlling the fight than ending it quickly.
- Chin: Fury has been wobbled in past fights. If Usyk can land clean shots, it could be trouble.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Key Strengths
- Footwork and Agility: Usyk is incredibly quick on his feet. He is elusive with his lateral movement. His ability to dart in and out of range quickly enables him to attack and retreat without getting hit. This agility also helps him in setting up his punches, as he can manoeuvre around his opponents and create openings for his attacks
- Technical Precision: Usyk is known for his technical prowess in the ring. His punches are fast, accurate, and thrown with perfect form, maximising their effectiveness. He’s skilled at working behind his jab. He excels at throwing combinations, often stringing together multiple punches that keep his opponents on the defensive.
- Southpaw Stance: Usyk’s southpaw stance is one of his key advantages, particularly against orthodox fighters like Tyson Fury. Fighting from a southpaw stance means his right hand and right foot are forward, creating angles that orthodox fighters are not as accustomed to dealing with. This stance forces his opponents to adjust their usual strategies and defensive techniques.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Weaknesses:
- Size: Usyk gives up significant height and reach to Fury. This could make it difficult to land clean punches consistently.
- Power: Usyk isn’t a one-punch knockout artist. He relies on volume and technique to wear down opponents, which is one of his weaknesses.
| Tyson Fury | COMPARISON | Oleksandr Usyk |
| Good hand speed, impressive for his size. | Speed | Incredibly quick on his feet, sharp angles and head movement. |
| Exceptional head movement, uses size to avoid punches. | Defence | Excellent footwork and agility, slips punches effectively. |
| Moderate power, relies more on combos. | Power | Limited punching power, relies more on volume. |
| Unmatched agility for his size, dictates pace and distance. | Footwork | Superior footwork, uses angles and movement to create openings. |
| One of the best in-ring intelligence, strategic and adaptable. | Fight IQ | High fight IQ, strategic and methodical approach. |
| Taller stature, better reach (6’9″ height, 85″ reach). | Height & Reach | Shorter and lesser reach (6’3″ height, 78″ reach). |
| Extensive experience against top-tier opponents. | Experience | Limited exposure to top-tier opponents in the heavyweight division. |
It goes without saying that both fighters are the absolute best at what they do. Fury’s impressive footwork and hand speed make him an elusive giant, while his strategic genius in the ring allows him to outthink and adapt to any opponent.
On the other hand, Usyk’s lightning-fast footwork and technical precision make him a formidable challenger. His southpaw stance and ability to create angles add an extra layer of complexity for orthodox fighters like Fury.
This battle pits Fury’s unmatched size and strategic prowess against Usyk’s agility and technical brilliance. With both fighters bringing unique strengths and notable weaknesses to the ring, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Prediction
When it comes to predicting the win, one finds himself in a tough spot. While Fury enters the bout with an overpowering enigma, elusiveness, and big stature, Usyk is all set to hit him back with power, speed, and versatility.
However, there’s no denying the fact that Fury’s size and experience in the heavyweight division will gain more success in the fight. As we stated earlier, it’s brawn vs. brain.
So, which of the two fighters will rewrite his own legacy is a question that only the night of 18th May can answer.
Conclusion
The showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is more than just a fight; it’s a monumental clash that will redefine the heavyweight division. On May 18, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two unbeaten titans will battle for ultimate supremacy. With both fighters bringing unique strengths and undeniable talent to the ring, fans worldwide eagerly await to see who will etch their name in boxing history. Mark your calendars and tune in for an unforgettable night of boxing.
