Rematch Between Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: A Temporary Performance?

Tyson Fury Faces Pressure from Usyk in Upcoming Rematch

Former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is believed to be on the decline as he prepares for his rematch against WBA/WBC/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury, 36 years old, has taken a lot of punishment in his three fights against Deontay Wilder and in his previous match against Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) on May 18, where he suffered significant damage in round nine and nearly lost control after enduring a barrage of punches. DAZN commentator Ade Oladipo believes that Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is no longer at his peak due to the punishment he has absorbed over the past six years, and he predicts that Usyk will win the rematch. Fury is set to receive a substantial amount for this rematch, estimated to be up to $100 million. In the kickoff press conference last week, Fury revealed that he has $200 million from his 16-year professional career and that he is now fighting for money.

Ade Oladipo commented on Fury’s form: “I’m not sure. It’s such a good fight. I thought Fury looked a bit leaner, but it’s difficult to say because his body shape is a bit strange”. Fury had mentioned that he wanted to come in heavier for the match, but he looked thin in the upper body during last week’s press conference. It could be that Fury is focusing so much on losing weight that he has lost the muscle he once had. He needs to add more muscle mass like he had in the second fight with Deontay Wilder on February 22, 2020, when he was at his best.

Fight Prediction: Usyk Holds the Edge?

Ade Oladipo stated, “Usyk is really strong right now, isn’t he? The Hitman outfit, his strong physique, he looks really good. I think AJ now knows he can hurt Fury. Fury also knows, if he watches the fight, that he can hurt Usyk. I think this is going to be another evenly matched fight”. Ade added, “I’ll choose Usyk. I picked Usyk before, and he won. So, I’m going to pick him again, but no one can be certain. It’s not that easy”. When asked about the possibility of Fury not allowing the smaller man, Usyk, to bully him in the ring, Ade emphasized, “When a small man is that good. When the small man is Oleksandr Usyk, one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen, it’s different”.

To be honest, this is not Fury’s peak version anymore. Ade believes that Fury may have been past his prime for a few years now, saying, “I think the Fury who fought Wladimir Klitschko was the best I’ve ever seen. He’s not that guy anymore”. The version of Fury that defeated Wilder in their third fight in 2021 would pose a significant challenge for Usyk, as he was still performing well back then. However, since his fight with Francis Ngannou last October, Fury seems to have lost something from his fighting style and also appears older. Could it be due to age and his indulgence in food between fights?