Tyson Fury‘s record now displays two consecutive losses, both at the hands of the same man—Oleksandr Usyk. In their first encounter, Fury seemed to control the mid-rounds. But he faltered as Usyk regrouped and scored a knockdown in the ninth. Many attributed Fury’s split-decision loss to a lack of preparation. Expectations soared when fans saw a more focused and fit Fury for their second clash.

However, once again, those hopes were dashed. ‘The Gypsy King’ faltered as Usyk gained control of the fight. Despite Fury’s best efforts to use his size and reach to stifle the Ukrainian champion’s attacks, Usyk’s precision and agility prevailed. True to his moniker, ‘The Cat’, Usyk maneuvered deftly to land shots to Fury’s body and head. By the latter half of the fight, Fury, entering the ring at a career-high weight of 281 pounds, appeared exhausted and lacked answers. While Fury adamantly maintains that he won the fight, many feel it was Usyk’s will that dictated the outcome.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Skill Outshone Tyson Fury’s Strategy

Boxing enthusiast and popular content creator, ShowBizz The Adult feels Tyson Fury’s performance against Oleksandr Usyk was influenced more by Usyk’s skill than by Fury’s own choices or strategy. He compared this dynamic to when Canelo Alvarez fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013.

“A lot of people were kind of like they felt Tyson Fury didn’t use his size enough, that he wasn’t moving forward enough. He found success moving forward. I don’t think it was a choice,” he said. He explained. The way Fury kept on pressing resembled Canelo Alvarez’s tactics when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. nearly a decade ago.

The Mexican icon struggled to apply pressure. Not because he didn’t want to, but because Mayweather Jr.’s skill, timing, and footwork didn’t allow it. Like then, when it was not a choice for Alvarez, there wasn’t one for Fury either. He was unable to press forward effectively because of Usyk’s skill set. “Usyk didn’t allow him to move forward his hand speed and his timing. Fury, every time he tried to move forward, he stepped into something,” said Showbizz The Adult, adding, “Plus the footwork and the angles Fury had to be smart.”

To emphasize, he referenced Floyd Mayweather’s quote: “It’s different when you’re in there.” Fighting someone of Usyk’s caliber feels different than it might look from the outside.

The Master Technician: Usyk’s Tactical Brilliance

For Usyk fans and boxing purists, ShowBizz The Adult’s analysis aligns with their view of the Ukrainian’s brilliance. One example of Usyk’s tactical prowess lies in his ability to capitalize on Fury’s attempts to jab and obscure his vision. Usyk would use such moments to feint and set traps, luring Fury into committing to a straight right. In response, Usyk would switch levels and deliver a sharp left to Fury’s torso, forcing him to retreat.

This sequence highlights Usyk’s extraordinary ring IQ. His preparation, which includes grueling 15 four-minute sparring sessions, speaks volumes about his superior conditioning. Perhaps the most defining feature of Usyk’s fighting style is his footwork, a hallmark that has consistently confounded his heavyweight peers.

Next month, Oleksandr Usyk will turn 38. As he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, the boxing world faces the daunting task of finding a successor to match his virtuosity. His combination of technical skill, agility, and mental acuity has set a standard that few fighters have been able to meet.

Which technique of Oleksandr Usyk’s has impressed you the most?