Oleksandr Usyk spotted working on trademark move in training… but here’s why it WON’T work against Tyson Fury
OLEKSANDR USYK has been keeping his head on a swivel in his final preparations for Tyson Fury.
The undefeated Ukrainian will look to become a two-time undisputed champion when he faces The Gypsy King for all the heavyweight marbles on May 18.
EPAOleksandr Usyk faces Anthony Joshua for all the heavyweight marbles next month[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@USYKAAThe Ukrainian has been keeping his head on a swivel in training for the Saudi showdown[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@USYKAAUsyk has been fine-tuning his head movement ahead of the Riyadh rumble[/caption]
REUTERSUsyk’s head movement and defence were on point in his back-to-back clashes with Anthony Joshua[/caption]
Fan favourite Usyk will have significant height and reach disadvantages when he throws down with the WBC titleholder.
The southpaw’s path route to victory lies in utilising his speed, footwork and head movement – the latter of which he’s been fine-tuning ahead of the Saudi showdown.
Fresh footage from the 37-year-old’s training camp has shown him extensively practising his bobby and weaving.
Usyk, of course, brilliantly kept his head off the centre line in his back-to-back victories over Anthony Joshua.
Although he was aided by AJ’s bizarre decision not to utilise his attributes and attempt to outbox him.
Fury, 35, could very well opt to adopt a similar approach in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in nearly 25 years.
Although his recent admission that the former cruiserweight king has “got more than boxing ability” than him suggests he’ll undertake a different approach.
It would make sense for Fury to stay out of the pocket and keep Usyk at the end of his 85-inch power jab.
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TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
As would carefully timed blitzes when he lands something of note from a distance.
If he chooses to engage Usyk in the pocket, he’ll find himself eating punches in bunches from all angles.
The physical advantages Fury possesses over fan favourite Usyk have made him the bookies favourite to win the historic unification bout.
But the Wythenshawe warrior recently told Queensberry Promotions: “It won’t come down to, ‘He’s bigger than me or he’s smaller than me.
“I think it will come down to who wants it most on the night.
“If he wants it more than me, he will win and if I want it more than him, I’ll win, but either way I think we’re in for a real treat.”
Fury is relishing the challenge of becoming the first man to defeat smooth operator Usyk in the professional ranks, saying: “Usyk is a bad man.
“He’s a real bad man and any underestimation of Oleksandr Usyk – you’d be a mug.
Inside the Gypsy King’s royal court
TYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.
The two-time heavyweight champion is not known for pulling his punches and lets both his fists and mouth do the talking.
Fury has seven children with wife Paris and recently hinted another is on the way.
Their family life is set to hit the screen again with season two of At Home With The Furys being filmed for Netflix.
The Gypsy King is Love Island star Tommy’s older brother.
He is heading for a £200million showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua and on track to become boxing’s first billionaire.
But daughter Venezuela has taken a cheeky pop at her dad for his bargain-hunting ways.
Despite boasting a monster car collection, he can often be seen pottering around town in a VERY modest motor.
Fury has opened up on his mental health struggles and shared insights into the diet behind his incredible body transformations.
As well as his talents in the ring, the Morecambe mauler is known for serenading fans in the ring and incredible bespoke, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, fight-week suits.
Check out all our Tyson Fury stories here.
“I’m training hard for him, I’m doing everything I can, I respect Usyk as a man.
“I respect his career as well, he’s been Olympic champion, he’s had 350 amateur fights or something.
“And he’s been an undisputed cruiserweight champion, and he’s a unified heavyweight champion.
“So, you have to respect that.
“I’m not fighting a guy that’s had 14 and won 11, I’m fighting the real deal, as real a deal as Holyfield.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
