It’s fight week folks! Both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have arrived in Saudi Arabia for what will go down in boxing history as the biggest night in the last two decades. The IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion, Usyk, will look to complete his collection of belts by snatching Fury’s WBC heavyweight title on 18 May at Kingdom Arena.
While the world is geared to potentially get the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, there have been questions about who would emerge victorious! So, here’s a deep dive into Usyk and Fury’s careers to figure out who will get their hand raised this weekend. Get stat comparison and prediction based on their performances thus far!
Who’s got the better resume?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Starting with Tyson Fury, the tall Brit started his professional boxing career all the way back in December 2008 against Bela Gyongyosi. In July 2011, ‘The Gypsy King’ engaged in a pivotal encounter with his inaugural formidable adversary, the previously unbeaten Derek Chisora, wherein Fury, although unable to replicate his earlier knockout triumphs against Chisora, effectively dispatched him through a unanimous decision, thereby asserting his dominance in the ring.
However, when the duo faced off against each other a second time in November 2014, Fury did what he couldn’t the last time by forcing Chisora’s corner to throw in the towel in the tenth round. Exactly a year later, Fury would enter the ring against Wladimir Klitschko for the biggest fight of his career. And guess what! After twelve rounds of intense battle in Germany, ‘The Gypsy King’ established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Then, of course, Fury had his trilogy against Deontay Wilder, ending Wilder’s dominance over the division—once and for all. Along the way, Fury faced Otto Wallin, Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora one more time, and the world knows what happened–Fury dominated them all! Come 2023, ‘The Gypsy King’ was faced with something unique against Francis Ngannou, which revealed some knicks in Fury’s armor. Regardless, Fury rules over the heavyweight division with his unblemished 34-0-1 record.
View this post on Instagram
Now, as for Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian heavyweight actually began his boxing career at the cruiserweight division in November 2013. So, guess what happened just three years later? Our former Olympian buddy landed his first title shot against Krzysztof Glowacki. And it wasn’t just any fight. Usyk basically gave Glowacki a masterclass in boxing, handing him his first defeat with a solid unanimous decision victory.
And let’s not forget the showdown with the legendary English boxer Tony Bellew in November 2018. Not only did Usyk emerge triumphant in that particular bout, but he also showcased utter dominance, sealing the victory with an eighth-round technical knockout. However, the apex of Usyk’s tenure within the heavyweight division unfolded during his dual clashes against Anthony Joshua, occurring not merely once, but twice. Astonishingly, despite Joshua boasting a significant size differential over Usyk, the latter demonstrated an indomitable spirit, emerging as an unstoppable force. Usyk emerged triumphant in both showdowns, solidifying his position as an undeniable heavyweight powerhouse.
In his most recent bout against Daniel Dubois, Usyk encountered a tumultuous journey, particularly when he endured a low blow. Nonetheless, displaying characteristic resilience and skill, he swiftly rebounded and secured the win with a ninth-round knockout. When comparing their respective résumés and the quality of adversaries they’ve encountered, Usyk and Fury undeniably stand shoulder to shoulder. The stakes are evenly poised when fighters of such caliber enter the ring, leaving the outcome to the unpredictable dynamics of the sport.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: Age, height, reach, weight and knockout ratio
Let’s kick things off with Tyson Fury, who, at 35, is the younger of the two fighters. Standing tall at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm), he’s definitely got the height advantage going into the ring. In his last bout against Ngannou, he tipped the scales at over 270 pounds, but he’s shed some weight in preparation for the showdown with Usyk. Despite his towering frame, Fury’s reach clocks in at a staggering 85 inches (216 cm), giving him quite the advantage in keeping opponents at bay. And when it comes to knockout power, Fury’s got an impressive 70.59% KO ratio to back him up.
Now, shifting the focus to Usyk, the 37-year-old Ukrainian brings his own set of skills to the table. Unlike his English counterpart, Usyk fights from a southpaw stance, adding an interesting dynamic to the matchup. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall with a reach of 78 inches (198 cm), he’s not as towering as Fury, but he knows how to use his size effectively. During his last bout, he tipped the scales at 220 pounds, showing he’s got the weight to throw around in the ring. However, when it comes to knockout power, Usyk falls slightly short compared to Fury, boasting a 66.67% KO ratio.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
So, looking at these traits alone, it’s pretty clear that Fury has the upper hand, right? But hold on, Usyk’s situation is a bit unique! Let’s talk age first. Even though he’s older, Usyk has shown top-notch conditioning in his past bouts. And remember the Anthony Joshua showdown? Joshua had similar advantages in age, weight, and reach, but Usyk’s technical prowess outshone all of that. He proved to be the more agile fighter of the two.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And let’s talk knockout ratios for a sec! Fury definitely brings the power, no doubt about it. But Usyk’s strategy is a bit different. He’s not all about knocking out his opponent; he’s more into playing the long game. Usyk aims to rack up points by landing hits while avoiding getting hit himself. Against Fury, he’d probably stick to that plan, ducking and diving to wear Fury down and gain the advantage. So, even though it seems like a close match, there’s always that chance that one big punch could shake things up and end the fight in a flash!
Having said that, there are several other factors that come into play during a fight! Regardless of who is favored, boxing has a way of surprising the most seasoned experts. Nevertheless, what’s your take on the fight? Who do you think will win?