Decoding Tyson Fury’s Path to Victory: Three Ways ‘The Gypsy King’ Can Overcome Oleksandr Usyk

On Saturday, May 18, Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) finally meet for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will be available on a variety of platforms on PPV, including DAZN, Sky Sports, TNT Sports and PPV.com. 

During the build-up, we have already looked at the last three opponents of Fury and Usyk, while bringing you the how-to-stream information and breakdown of the fight by numbers. After bringing you three ways Usyk can beat “The Gypsy King,” it’s time to look at three ways the Brit can become undisputed heavyweight champion.

Three Potential Ways Tyson Fury Can Beat Oleksandr Usyk

Versatility

Fury has shown an impressive ring IQ throughout his career, which has seen him implement different styles during his fights. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him switch stances during the contest. “The Gypsy King” can fight on the front foot and apply pressure, which could play into Usyk’s hands – but Fury could use his reach advantage in this fight and box at a distance, using his jab to maintain the distance, and when up close, he can use his size to tie up the Ukrainian. 

Read More: ‘I Don’t Think It’s Ever Been Done Before’: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk Speak Ahead of Undisputed Clash

Usyk has an impressive engine, so Fury needs to be flexible during the fight and fight off the back foot and front foot at different points. Fury’s reach could be a vital weapon for him, and he will need to maximise that advantage by controlling the distance, stopping Usyk from controlling the fight.

Movement

Fury looks lighter than in previous fights, and this could be to ensure he can box and move for 12 rounds and not get caught by Usyk’s countering when he moves forward. It’s vital he moves and doesn’t make himself an easy target for the varied attacks from Usyk. “The Gypsy King” has showcased his brilliant head movement throughout his career, and he will need to utilise this to avoid the accurate jab of Usyk. 

Size Advantage

The impressive engine of the Ukrainian will ensure Fury is kept honest throughout the fight. As we mentioned, the reach advantage of Fury will be vital, but when Usyk breaches that reach and gets inside where he is very effective, it’s imperative that “The Gypsy King” uses his size to lean on Usyk and slow him down.

Read More: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Clash for Undisputed Heavyweight Crown – Quotes and Grand Arrivals Recap

The work rate of Usyk exhausts his opponents before he stops them, as seen against Tony Bellew and Daniel Dubois. Fury needs to negate this work rate by using his size, whether using his jab to control the distance or his weight when Usyk gets up close. Fury used his size to great effect during his trilogy with Deontay Wilder.