After 25 years, there will once again be an undisputed heavyweight world champion. The showdown between Tyson Fury and Alexander Usyk is electrifying the boxing world
Tyson Fury was not sparing with his verbal attacks ahead of the biggest fight in recent boxing history. His opponent Alexander Usyk was an “ugly rabbit with a gap in his teeth”, said the Brit with his usual loud mouth – even if his respect for Usyk was clearly evident ahead of the eagerly awaited and electrifying showdown for the heavyweight crown.
“You can’t question someone’s qualifications when everyone can see them. He’s a good fighter. Probably the best I’ve ever fought,” emphasized Fury, whose father recently caused a scandal with a headbutt.
“Fight of the millennium” between Fury and Usyk
Fury, the British WBC world champion (35 fights, 34 wins, one draw), and Usyk, the Ukrainian WBA, WBO and IBF champion (21 fights, 21 wins), will face each other for up to twelve rounds on Saturday evening in Riyadh – and the winner in the “Ring of Fire” will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson or Max Schmeling – they were all undisputed champions of the premier class, Fury or Usyk will be on a par with them. The boxing world has had to wait a long time for an evening like this. “I’d put my money on Fury – as long as it’s the 100 percent focused Fury,” said Lewis, who was considered undisputed at the time with “only” three world championship belts, about his compatriot.
Fury: Fight is my destiny
The fight between the two undefeated stars was originally scheduled for February 17, but Fury (35) had to postpone it due to a cut over his right eye suffered in training – which could play into his hands in terms of form.
“I’m not going to be squeamish, it is what it is. This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation. Fact,” emphasized Fury, who embarrassed himself last year in an exhibition fight against MMA fighter Francis Ngannou and was knocked down. And Usyk? He remains calm as usual. Does he want to eat Fury’s soul? “No, no, no. My plan is simply to win,” says the modest Ukrainian, who prefers to speak in deeds rather than words.
Klitschko manager backs Usyk
“Usyk is mentally stronger. I’ve rarely seen such a cool guy. None of this scratches him at all,” said long-time Klitschko manager and boxing expert Bernd Bönte, who will accompany the unification fight as well as the pre-fight of German heavyweight hopeful Agit Kabayel against Frank Sanchez (Cuba) for DAZN as an expert on the microphone, in the SID interview: “And above all, Usyk is boxing for a country. That’s extra motivation for him. “
Usyk ambassador for Ukraine
Grown up in Crimea, Usyk had to leave his homeland after it was annexed by Russia in 2014. Since then, he has also seen himself as an ambassador for war-torn Ukraine. The undisputed World Cup crown is “very important for my country”, says Usyk. And victory is not unlikely. Bönte, at least, sees the 37-year-old as the favorite. “Usyk is better in many areas. He has better footwork. The agility, the dominance in the ring. He’s someone I’ve never seen in this form before. “
Fury relies on size advantage
Fury (2.06 m), on the other hand, wants to exploit his height advantage of 15 centimeters. “You can beat the average big guys, but not the elite. He won’t be able to stand up to me,” says Fury, who is confident of victory. “You’ll see a rabbit running away,” said Fury: “And I’ll be the man who wants the rabbit pie. “
