Tyson Fury has been told he will need a ‘freak punch’ to claim victory over Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming rematch.
The Gypsy King was left stunned by the Ukrainian when he lost for the first time in his professional career earlier this year in May.
Usyk landed a split decision victory over Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
It signified a remarkable journey for the 37-year-old, who made his debut at heavyweight against Chazz Witherspoon in 2019.
The two fighters will meet again in the ring on December 21 with Fury desperate to win back his belts.
But the 36-year-old is no longer the favourite with Usyk now boasting a record of 22-0 while former British boxer Tony Bellew has given Fury some advice, though he does not fancy his countryman.
Bellew told iFL TV: “Of course he can win, he could land a freaky punch. Anything can happen.
“But if I’m being totally honest, do I think he’ll win? No. I think he’ll lose again.
“And this time, I think he’ll lose really, really clearly.
Because Usyk this time will go on the back foot. And that is the worst nightmare for Tyson Fury because that’s one that he can’t control.
“You’ve got to understand, he pressed the whole fight. He walked the 6ft 9ins, 20 stone man down. He walked him down and bullied him.
“Imagine what he does when he fights to his attributes and fights to his best. Because his best is fighting on the back foot.
“Anyone who studies him and knows Usyk the way I know him, and I studied him, you’ll know that you’ve got to bring him to you. And that’s the way to beat him.
But you’ve got to counter him and feint and you’ve got to be able to sharpshoot with him.
“You’ve got to be able to box with him. You’ve got to be able to offset him.
“But you’ve got to be able to continuously do all these things round after round.
I couldn’t, because guess what? I got tired. I was f***ed after six rounds or seven rounds of doing it.
“But it’s going to take a special guy to do that over 12 rounds. It can be done. There is a way to beat him.
“But these big boys just can’t do it because they don’t have have the engine to stick with him.”
The world of heavyweight boxing is buzzing with anticipation as Tyson Fury prepares for a high-stakes rematch against Oleksandr Usyk. After suffering the first loss of his professional career earlier this year in May, Fury, known as “The Gypsy King,” is eager to reclaim his title as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. However, this will be no easy feat, as Usyk has proven himself to be a formidable opponent, with an undefeated record of 22-0.
In their first encounter, Usyk stunned the boxing world by defeating Fury via split decision. The Ukrainian boxer, who only made his heavyweight debut in 2019 against Chazz Witherspoon, has shown incredible skill and determination in his rise to the top. His victory over Fury was a testament to his strategic prowess and ability to adapt in the ring. Usyk’s journey to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion is nothing short of remarkable, and his victory over Fury cemented his place as one of the greatest boxers of this generation.
For Fury, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The 6ft 9in, 20-stone giant, who has built a reputation for his dominance in the ring, was outmaneuvered and outboxed by Usyk. The loss left Fury and his team reeling, and it has raised questions about his ability to bounce back in the upcoming rematch.
As the two fighters prepare to face off again on December 21, the stakes could not be higher. Fury is desperate to win back his belts and restore his status as the top heavyweight in the world. However, many experts and fans alike are questioning whether he has what it takes to overcome Usyk this time around.
Former British boxer Tony Bellew, who has shared the ring with Usyk, has offered some sobering advice for Fury. In a recent interview with iFL TV, Bellew expressed doubt about Fury’s chances in the rematch. “Of course he can win,” Bellew said. “He could land a freaky punch. Anything can happen. But if I’m being totally honest, do I think he’ll win? No. I think he’ll lose again.”
Bellew’s assessment is based on his intimate knowledge of Usyk’s style and abilities. He believes that Usyk’s strategy in the rematch will be even more difficult for Fury to handle. “Usyk this time will go on the back foot. And that is the worst nightmare for Tyson Fury because that’s one that he can’t control,” Bellew explained. “You’ve got to understand, he pressed the whole fight. He walked the 6ft 9ins, 20-stone man down. He walked him down and bullied him.”
Bellew’s comments highlight the tactical challenge that Fury faces in the rematch. Usyk’s ability to fight on the back foot and dictate the pace of the fight will be a major obstacle for Fury. The Ukrainian’s footwork, speed, and ring IQ make him a difficult opponent to pin down, and his ability to counterpunch with precision will keep Fury on his toes.
To stand a chance of winning, Fury will need to adapt his approach and find a way to neutralize Usyk’s strengths. This could involve a combination of feints, counters, and pressure to disrupt Usyk’s rhythm and force him into uncomfortable situations. However, as Bellew pointed out, maintaining this level of intensity and focus for 12 rounds is no easy task.
“You’ve got to counter him and feint, and you’ve got to be able to sharpshoot with him,” Bellew said. “You’ve got to be able to box with him. You’ve got to be able to offset him. But you’ve got to be able to continuously do all these things round after round.”
The challenge for Fury will be sustaining this level of performance throughout the fight. As Bellew noted from his own experience, it’s incredibly difficult to keep up with Usyk for the full duration of the bout. “I couldn’t, because guess what? I got tired. I was f***ed after six rounds or seven rounds of doing it,” Bellew admitted.
Beyond the tactical considerations, Fury will also need to be at his physical and mental best to overcome Usyk. The physical demands of a 12-round fight at the highest level are immense, and Fury will need to ensure that his conditioning is up to the task. Any lapses in concentration or energy could be exploited by Usyk, who has shown that he can capitalize on even the smallest of openings.
Mentally, Fury will need to approach the rematch with a clear strategy and the confidence to execute it. The psychological pressure of avenging a loss can be overwhelming, and Fury will need to manage his emotions and stay focused on the task at hand. This will require not only belief in his abilities but also a deep understanding of Usyk’s strengths and weaknesses.
While many are predicting another victory for Usyk, it’s important to remember that boxing is an unpredictable sport, where a single punch can change the course of a fight. Fury, with his size, power, and experience, always has the potential to land a knockout blow that could turn the tide in his favor.
As Bellew acknowledged, “It can be done. There is a way to beat him. But these big boys just can’t do it because they don’t have the engine to stick with him.”
The question remains: Does Fury have what it takes to pull off the upset and reclaim his title? Or will Usyk once again prove to be too much for “The Gypsy King”.
As the boxing world awaits the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the excitement and tension continue to build. This fight has all the makings of a classic, with two of the sport’s greatest heavyweights vying for supremacy. For Fury, it’s a chance at redemption and a shot at reclaiming his place at the top. For Usyk, it’s an opportunity to solidify his legacy as one of the best to ever step into the ring.
No matter the outcome, this is a fight that fans won’t want to miss. Whether it’s Fury landing that “freak punch” or Usyk once again outclassing his opponent, December 21 promises to be a night of high drama and unforgettable moments in the world of heavyweight boxing.