T he long-awaited first showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury lived up to the worldwide fanfare that only a heavyweight championship confrontation between elite fighters can deliver. Much of the hype centered around the historical significance of the bout. Usyk-Fury I marked the first time unbeaten heavyweights with legitimate claims to the world championship had fought since Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks shared the ring in 1988. The May 18 showdown would also crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis won his rematch with Evander Holyfield in 1999.
However, the clash of Usyk’s and Fury’s unique styles and mentalities created just as much buzz among boxing insiders and aficionados. Usyk, the 37-year-old Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champ, is the consummate professional and technician. The Ukrainian southpaw is always in peak condition, able to outwork and outmaneuver any opponent, but does so with textbook form and balance. Nothing shakes his focus or will to win inside or outside of the ring. Fury lacks Usyk’s amateur foundation, athleticism and sharp technique, but the 6-foot-9 Englishman is one of the most talented giants in heavyweight history. While his dedication and conditioning are
Both heavyweights entered the first bout with confidence. Both have reasons to be confident about the rematch.
occasionally called into question, his ring generalship, versatility, guile and sheer will had always pushed him to victory – that is, until Usyk taught him how to lose. Can Usyk do it again? Although he seized control of the late rounds and almost had his towering rival out in the ninth, Fury bossed the middle rounds and made the bout legitimately close. Usyk had to sweat out a split decision inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Who’s to say that Fury – who was
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