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 – and one nation in particular
As Wladimir Klitschko knows only too well, the hopes of an entire nation rest on Alexander Usyk. With just one knockout in the “Fight of the Century” against Tyson Fury, the boxing champion, who has long been a folk hero in war-torn Ukraine, could become a true legend of the sport. As the undisputed heavyweight world champion, as the successor to Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, Usyk would have surpassed even the great Klitschko.
But a victory for Usyk would also be an encouraging signal for the country, which is fighting for its survival in the war against Russia, which is why Klitschko traveled to Riyadh as a noble fan of his compatriot.
“I am here to say that we remain steadfast to give visibility and support to our country,” said the former world champion in a video message: “And it is a historic fight for boxing. It will produce the first Ukrainian heavyweight champion to unify all titles!”
Usyk: Triumph would be “very important for my country “
Millions of Ukrainians and Klitschko, whom Fury dethroned in 2015, want to see Crimean-born Usyk crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years on Sunday (0:05). The last was Lennox Lewis.
A triumph would be “very important for my country”, said Usyk, who had to wait several months because the original fight date in February could not be kept due to Fury’s training injury.
In the duel of the undefeated with the British WBC world champion Fury (35 fights, 34 wins, one draw), Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, is by no means the underdog. “Usyk is mentally stronger. I’ve rarely seen such a cool guy. None of this scratches him at all,” said former Klitschko manager and DAZN expert Bernd Bönte: “And above all, Usyk is boxing for a country. That’s extra motivation for him. “
The 37-year-old, who has won all of his 21 professional fights, is incredibly relaxed and reserved in interviews these days, with the occasional joke – the rest is all focus. At the press conference on Thursday evening, Usyk wanted to stare deep into his opponent’s eyes during the face-off, but Fury demonstratively avoided eye contact and preferred to do his usual antics
Mind games from the Fury camp
The Fury camp, as it happens, has been practicing mind games for days. Father John had already tangled with Usyk’s team earlier in the week and suffered a laceration in the ensuing scuffle, while his son made fun of Usyk at every opportunity, including calling him an “ugly rabbit with a gap in his teeth”, although the 35-year-old concedes he is “probably the best opponent I’ve ever fought”.
Anything else would have been silly when you consider that Usyk was already the undisputed champion at cruiserweight and, like Klitschko, can call himself an Olympic champion.
The decisive factor will be how Usyk deals with the size difference, Fury (2.06 meters) is 15 centimeters longer. According to Bönte, however, the Ukrainian is “better in many areas. He has better footwork. The agility, the dominance in the ring.”
Although Fury himself is an excellent technician, only a real fight will save him against Usyk. “If the fight is a boxing match, Usyk wins,” says Bönte: “If the fight is a street fight, Fury wins. “