On May 18, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury will take on Oleksander Usyk in a heavyweight bout. The British boxer has been tough to beat, boasting a record of 34-0-1 with 24 KOs. Fury will be a hard test for the Ukrainian heavyweight, with “The Gypsy King” boasting an overpowering style.
But has Duke McKenzie spilled the beans on beating the monster? He made an interesting remark on taking down “The Gypsy King,” laying the groundwork for a path to victory. What did the British boxing legend say?
The key to beating Tyson Fury
It’s no secret that Tyson Fury is a big fellow. Weighing in at a menacing 270 lbs and towering at a height of 6’9″, he can make anyone intimidated. But maybe there’s more to being a good boxer than just… being big.
That’s what McKenzie’s implying when he compliments Usyk for “being the better all-around fighter.” The Ukrainian boxer might be lighter and smaller than Fury. However, he makes up for that in in-ring intelligence and timely punches and maneuvers.
By going inside and wearing Tyson Fury down, Usyk can play the long game. Here, he can dodge and weave through “The Gypsy King’s” punches and tire him out. That way, Usyk doesn’t eat too many punches and can land an offensive front of his own.
What about Oleksander Usyk?
Oleksander Usyk himself isn’t a slouch. Heading into the fight undefeated (21-0, 14 KOs), the southpaw is the third-ranked pound-for-pound fighter by The Ring. The former heavyweight champion’s cerebral movements have done opponents in, leading him to this point.
That’s what makes McKenzie think the Ukrainian fighter can handle Tyson Fury’s onslaught. The British fighter relies solely on brute strength, using thunderous punches to take his foes down.
However, if Usyk makes timely dodges and punches, he can tire out “The Gypsy King” quickly. It makes sense, for Usyk has the stamina to hang around in longer bouts. If he drags this out past the early rounds, it favors the Ukrainian fighter more.
What to expect
This fight can go one of two ways. One, it can end with a brutal knockout at the hands of Tyson Fury. There’s no discounting the British superstar’s brute strength in this match. It’ll be a major weapon of Fury’s to use.
The other way is if the fight drags out. The longer Usyk takes this fight, the more it favors him. That’s what McKenzie was implying when he said that Tyson Fury could be beaten. That’s certainly a possibility, one which boxing fans would love to see happen.
Takeaways from UFC Fight Night: Brendan Allen vs. Chris Curtis 2
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
