Fury-Usyk II: The Heavyweight Showdown of the Year
There is great public interest in the upcoming December 21 rematch when British behemoth Tyson Fury takes on incredible Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for a second time this year.
The two boxers clashed in an epic confrontation that made heavyweight history in May when Usyk became the first undisputed champion of this century.
Add in some predictions from former champion Bernard Hopkins, and a big-time fight is all but set in stone.
Quick Recap – His First Meeting
Both fighters are considered top-level heavyweight champions. Fury, the former WBC heavyweight champion, is large yet light on his feet with an unconventional, awkward, jerky style, while Usyk owns the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBO titles and is fast, busy and elusive in his southpaw stance.
Unbeaten Usyk win the first fight by the narrowest of margins, an eight-round knockdown proving the difference on the final scorecards, which went his way vis split decision.
Hopkins’ Bold Prediction
Hall of Fame boxer Bernard Hopkins weighed in on the upcoming rematch, confidently saying that he believes Tyson Fury will beat Oleksandr Usyk in the rerun. Hopkins mentioned numerous things that he thinks will lead to Fury’s winning.
Size and Reach Advantage
Fury is 6’9″ and has the sort of reach that suits a heavyweight beautifully. Hopkins said, Usyk is a great boxer with quick feet and skillsets but may struggle against the size and reach of Fury in the ring, who won most of the first half of the their first fight.
Experience with High-Level Combat
Hopkins also pointed out that Fury has experience dealing with the pressures of big fights. Fury has been up there with some of the biggest names in boxing, having faced both Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko in the ring, each time as the underdog.
He has shown that he steps up in those big moments. That may be a huge advantage against Usyk, who has yet to face anyone like Fury in such a high-stakes fight.
Fury’s Preparations: Getting Some Training In
With preparations for the rematch in full swing, Tyson Fury’s camp is going all out. In his training camp, there are several things that Fury is concentrating on, according to reports:
Enhanced Conditioning: Fury’s team knows that stamina will be the key in this bout. However, with Usyk being able to operate at a fast pace throughout the fight, Fury is working on his conditioning to keep up with Usyk while also execute his own gameplan.
Tactical Adjustments: Fury’s adaptability in the ring is a well-known trait of his. He has been reported to be working on game sets implemented to neutralize Usyk’s strengths at his training camp. That includes drills to counter Usyk’s footwork and skill and maximize Fury’s reach asymmetry.
The Stakes of the Rematch: The fallout from this rematch goes much deeper than just pride. If Tyson Fury wins, it will add immense weight to his legacy – possibly placing him as one of the greatest heavyweights ever. He will also pave the way for upcoming bouts with other high-level fighters in the division. That means a potential meeting with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Deontay Wilder for Fury, if he wins.
On the other hand, if Oleksandr Usyk wins, it would enhance his legacy in the sport and take him into bigger fights in the future, and making fans who bet on live fights at Lottoland even more anxious to see legendary fights.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are with the “The Gypsy King” or “The Cat” itself, the rematch between the two will provide the action and drama boxing fans have been longing for. The clock is ticking as Tyson Fury prepares for another ring showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Who comes out on top? Only time will tell.
