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‘It’s difficult to beat him’ – Lennox Lewis makes bold Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk prediction

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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Lennox Lewis is backing Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury and Usyk square off in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in 25 years on May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The last time all the belts were on the line, Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield for the IBF, WBA and WBC straps at a time when the WBO wasn’t recognised as a major sanctioning body.

There are several similarities between Fury vs Usyk and Lewis vs Holyfield.

Like Holyfield, Usyk spent the early portion of his career at cruiserweight before moving up in weight.

Meanwhile, Fury and Lewis are career-long heavyweights who both tip the scales at around 250lbs.

In the last undisputed clash, the bigger man won and Lewis expects history to repeat itself later this month.

“I believe that Tyson Fury has great attributes, he’s tall, he can box out of both stances, he can go forward,” he told talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver.

“Right now to me it’s difficult to beat a bigger guy so I’ll always say the bigger guy has the advantage.”

Most boxing experts are predicting that Fury will have to get it done inside the distance if he hopes to beat the Ukrainian slickster.

But ‘The Lion’ is backing Fury to get his hand raised after 12 rounds.

“I think Tyson Fury on points, but I’m not counting out Usyk,” he added.

When asked about Fury’s keys to victory, Lewis replied: “He’s got to use his attributes, he’s got to be elusive and throw that jab.

“He has to do what he knows he has to do. He’s been there before, he’s boxed smaller guys, he just has to bring everything together.”

Turning his attention to Usyk, he remarked: “Usyk will do what he normally does.

“He is going to move well around the ring, he’s going to try and bring Tyson out of his shell.

“It’s going to take a couple of rounds for him because both guys are going to take some time to get used to each other.

“It will take at least four rounds for something to crack through. Who will be the first man to attack? Maybe it will be Usyk.

“Who’s going to be the guy throwing all the jabs and moving around? Usyk will because he’s got to find a way to get in against a 6-foot-9 heavyweight.

“This is the first time he’s gone against a 6-foot-9 heavyweight.”

Both Fury and Usyk go into the blockbuster bout having never tasted defeat since turning professional.

And you can expect fireworks in the ring with the duo boasting 38 knockouts between them from their combined 56 fights.

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Tyson Fury: How WBC heavyweight champion rose to fighting Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed status

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head of fighting for the right to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion, WBC title holder Tyson Fury reflects on his journey to the top of boxing; watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, May 18

At 20-years-old, Tyson Fury had already declared his intention to be world champion. Now, 16 years on, he has the opportunity to do something no heavyweight has achieved for a quarter of a century.

The WBC heavyweight title holder faces WBA, WBO and IBF unified king Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in a bid to become the first undisputed champion in boxing’s blue-ribband division since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.

Watching back a video of himself talking about those ambitions at a time when he had barely a handful of professional fights under his belt, Fury is in no doubt what he would tell his younger self as he stands on the verge of making boxing history.

“What would I say? I think I had it all figured out, didn’t I?” Fury told Sky Sports. “You’re going to be world champion, yes.

“I can be world champion, be No 1 in the world, be the best and prove it – a young kid, a long time ago. I’m 36 this year so that was 16 years ago.

“I always believed, even when other people didn’t, that I would be a star and make millions of dollars from fights.

Fury, whose professional record stands at 34-0-1 (24), with the sole blemish being a draw in the first part of his epic trilogy with Deontay Wilder, has not had a simple road to the top though.

Notably, there were his two and a half years out of the ring after defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become unified champion where he was embroiled in a legal fight with UKAD, which was resolved in December 2017, and battled his own personal demons.

However, he has been in the ascendancy since his return to the ring in May 2018 and believes the good times and the bad have served to shape the fighter he is now.

“You live and learn from your experiences – nothing happens overnight,” Fury said. “Back then, I wanted to fight [Wladimir] Klitschko and I did get to seven years after that.

“Good things come to those who wait, nothing should be rushed, and take your time because you’ve only got one career and you’re only a young lad.

“At that time, at 20-years-old, I wanted everything yesterday.”

As with all those years ago, Fury is not shy about declaring he will be the one to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion on May 18 either.

“From a little boy, I said that and achieved it, so I’ve got to be one of the rare few people who dreamed something as a child and achieved it as an adult,” Fury said.

“It’s been amazing journey and here we are now, 16 years later, about to be undisputed champion of the world.

“The biggest fight, in the last 25 years, which is an amazing effort.”

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BOXING

Usyk v Fury: Ringwalk time, undercard and how to follow undisputed heavyweight fight

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Oleksandr Tyson

How to follow Usyk v Fury

Briton Tyson Fury will fight Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk on 18 May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It is the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since 1999 and the first time all four major world titles have been on the line in the four-belt era.

Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app will start at 19:00 BST.

Build-up will be available throughout fight week, including daily podcasts from the BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing team with Steve Bunce.

What time is Usyk v Fury ringwalk?

The Usyk-Fury ringwalk is not expected before 23:00.

TV coverage starts at 17:00, with Joe Cordina’s world title fight with Anthony Cacace expected after 20:00.

Anthony Joshua emerged for his ringwalk at 00:24 UK time when he fought Francis Ngannou in Riyadh in March, and organisers are aiming for an earlier start time for Usyk-Fury.

Who is on the undercard?

  • Jai Opetaia v Mairis Briedis – IBF cruiserweight title

  • Joe Cordina v Anthony Cacace – IBF super-featherweight titles

  • Mark Chamberlain v Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab – lightweight

  • Sergey Kovalev v Robin Sirwan Safar – cruiserweight

  • Isaac Lowe v Hasibullah Ahmadi – featherweight

  • David Nyika v Michael Seitz – cruiserweight

  • Moses Itauma v Ilja Mezencev – heavyweight

  • Agit Kabayel v Frank Sanchez – heavyweight

Which belts are on the line?

For the first time in the modern era all four heavyweight belts will be on the line – WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC.

The Ring magazine heavyweight title is also up for grabs.

Usyk is the current owner of the title, which is traditionally awarded to the

Fury and Usyk are undefeated, with the only slight blemish on Fury’s record a draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018.

Fury, 35, has 34 wins and has produced four stoppages in his past five fights. He has 24 stoppages in his career.

He has held every world title in the heavyweight division – he beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to become unified champion – but has not held all four belts at the same time.

Usyk, 37, is unbeaten in 21 fights with 14 stoppages. He has had only five fights at heavyweight, beating Anthony Joshua in 2021 to become unified champion in his third bout in the division.

He was undisputed champion at cruiserweight and was an Olympic, European and world champion at amateur level.

While their records are evenly matched, Fury is 6ft 9in compared to the 6ft 3in Usyk and has a seven-inch reach advantage.

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BOXING

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed fight immortalised with ultra-rare watch – but only three will ever be made

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Tyson Oleksandr

AS IF Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed bout wasn’t already going to down in history, it has now been immortalised with an ultra-rare watch.

The pair face off in Saudi Arabia next week in the first undisputed heavyweight clash since 1999.

The momentous occasion is being celebrated by watchmakers Jacob & Co who have created a unique watch to commemorate the fight.

The watch, named Ring of Fire, features figurines of both Fury and Usyk alongside red and blue boxing gloves and a moving face that reads “Undisputed world champion” and resembles the world title belt.

The incredible timepiece is made from rose gold and is based on Jacob & Co’s three-dimensional Astronomia Art collection – which boasts price tags that can reach well in excess of £400,000.

This watch, however, could fetch even more than that eye-watering sum as only THREE have been made.

Of those three only one will be available to the public with both Usyk and Fury gifted a watch each.

The third watch will be sold by famous auction house Sotheby’s with the proceeds being donated to the Make A Wish foundation.

Jacobs & Co founder Jacob Arabo said: “We’re very excited to see Fury and Usyk get into it.

“At Jacob & Co we have a long history of making bespoke timepieces with and for fighters.

Tyson Fury is known for his extravagant watch collection and is already the proud owner of a Jacobs & Co Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon which retails for around £240,000.

While he once wagered his gold, diamond-encrusted Rolex Daytona Rainbow Sapphire watch to whoever could beat him in the ring.

When he prepared for his showdown with Dillian Whyte in 2022, he flashed another £60,000 diamond-laden 18ct timepiece from the brand.

While other timepieces in his collection include a Richard Mille RM 011 Flyback Chronograph that costs over £100,000 and a Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph that’s worth around £90,000.

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Tyson Fury: Size Won’t Play a Factor in Oleksandr Usyk Fight

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Tyson Olek

Tyson Fury doesn’t believe that size will play a factor when he faces Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

Fury stands six inches taller than his rival Usyk and normally weighs in around 50 pounds heavier than the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The 6ft 9ins heavyweight is known for using his size to break his opponents down, using it effectively in his three fights against Deontay Wilder. Despite his huge size advantage, Fury doesn’t think it will play a part after Usyk proved he can handle big heavyweights with his performances against Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

“It won’t come down to, ‘He’s bigger than me or he’s smaller than me,’” Fury told Queensberry Promotions. “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.

“He’s proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights, he’s beat Joshua and Dubois – they’re pretty big heavyweights. I’m messing with an elite fighter who’s got more than boxing ability, he’s stubborn and wants to win like I do. We both have talent, we both have good attributes and bad attributes, it will come down to who wants it most on the night.”

Fury has been critical of Usyk in the build-up for their fight, jibing at his opponent’s size and appearance, but insisted that he still has respect for his opponent and his achievements. Fury even compared his foe to boxing great Evander Holyfield, who too was undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight.

“Usyk is a bad man,” added Fury. “He’s a real bad man and any underestimation of Oleksandr Usyk – you’d be a mug. 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.

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Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 confirmed: Riyadh rematch slated for October

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The highly talked about rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been officially confirmed for later in 2024.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk will be a two-part showdown

With less than two weeks remaining until their initial clash, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is already paving the way for the heavyweight giants to go toe-to-toe once again.

The rematch, agreed upon as part of the contractual terms for their first encounter, is scheduled to kick off the latest edition of Riyadh Season.

The stage is set for a historic showdown, as the pair prepares to vie for the undisputed world heavyweight championship later this month on May 18th.

This monumental event marks the division’s first undisputed title fight in nearly 25 years, promising an electrifying spectacle for fight enthusiasts worldwide.

Date revealed for part 2 of Fury vs. Usyk

The road to this highly anticipated rematch hasn’t been without its hurdles.

A two-way rematch clause, already invoked three times due to unforeseen circumstances, underscores the gravity of this encounter.

Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh has earmarked October 12th and 13th as potential dates for the rematch, subject to both fighters emerging unscathed from their imminent battle in Riyadh.

However, there’s a twist in the tale regarding the heavyweight title landscape.

The winner of the initial bout will relinquish the IBF title to pave the way for mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

Despite this, the stakes remain sky-high as Fury and Usyk gear up for a clash of titans.

Fury, exuding confidence ahead of the showdown, emphasized the business-like nature of their rivalry, stating, “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business for both fighters.”

With the promise of a hefty paycheck and the opportunity to showcase his prowess on a global stage, Fury is poised to deliver a spectacle worthy of his moniker, ‘The Gypsy King.’

Before the Fury-Usyk sequel, Turki Alalshikh has his sights set on hosting a mega-event at London’s Wembley Stadium, further solidifying his position as a pivotal figure in the boxing landscape.

Reflecting on his approach to matchmaking, Alalshikh emphasizes collaboration among promoters, a strategy that has propelled him to the forefront of boxing’s resurgence.

As the countdown to Fury vs. Usyk intensifies, boxing fans await with bated breath, eager to witness history unfold in the heart of Riyadh.

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‘He’s changed his tune’ – Fans confused as Tyson Fury U-turns on Oleksandr Usyk with respectful message

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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury has been surprisingly complimentary of heavyweight rival Oleksandr Usyk in a new interview.

The ‘Gypsy King’ will look to become the division’s first undisputed world champion in the four-belt era when he touches gloves with Usyk on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.

The build-up so far has seen Fury attempt to lure Usyk into a battle of mind games, and he has regularly mocked his fellow champion’s size by labelling him a ‘middleweight’.

But Fury has now handed surprising credit to Usyk’s achievements, which began as an all conquering amateur before taking over at cruiserweight, with boxing’s glamour division in his sights.

He said during an interview with Queensberry Promotions: “Oleksandr Usyk’s a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you’d be a mug.

“So I’m training hard for him, I’m doing everything I can.

“I respect Usyk as a man. I respect his career as well – Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, unified heavyweight champion.

“You have to respect that, I’m fighting the real deal. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“He’s got good footwork, good boxing ability, technically sound.

“He’s proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights because he’s beat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. I’m messing with an elite fighter.”

Fans were stunned by his new stance, with one writing: “Tyson Fury tomorrow will be calling Usyk gappy teeth and a dosser.”

Another wrote: “Well he’s changed his tune.”

One added: “He’s changed his narrative and has been mostly quiet. Finally it seems like Fury is taking it seriously.

“As much as I like Usyk, I think Fury is just too big. Either way, it should be a fun fight.”

He has regularly joked that his upcoming bout with Usyk will be a routine night, though it will likely be anything but given the Ukrainian’s skillset.

Usyk is undefeated in his professional career, and has yet to be beaten at heavyweight since making the switch from cruiserweight in 2019 where he reigned as undisputed champion.

He comfortably outboxed Joshua in their two heavyweight showdowns in September 2021 and August 2022, and will likely provide the sternest examination of Fury’s credentials.

Fury, who has also yet to be defeated, claimed previously that Usyk wouldn’t even be able to inflict defeat on him with a baseball bat.

He said at their press conference in November 2023: “I’ve got nothing to really fear with Oleksandr.

“I think even if he had a baseball bat in one hand and a meat cleaver in the other, he couldn’t really do much to me. I’d still beat him.

“Never mind the size. He’s a middleweight. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date announced but fight depends on three conditions

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua’s long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury has been pencilled in for March.

The two Brits have traded verbal jabs for almost a decade but have failed to meet in the ring – despite several attempts. Joshua has won and lost world titles since first calling out Fury who is enjoying his second reign as world champion.

But the pair could meet for all four heavyweight belts next year – if they remain undefeated until then. Fury will put his unbeaten record on the line against fellow champion Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday week in a fight which will crown the division’s first undisputed ruler since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

The rivals have already agreed to a rematch which is expected to take place on either October 12 or 13. Three weeks before that, Joshua is expected to attempt to become a three-time world champion when he takes on either Daniel Dubois or Filip Hrgovic at Wembley.

Dubois and Hrgovic will clash on June 1 in Saudi Arabia for the IBF world title which will be stripped from the winner of Fury vs Usyk due to overdue mandatory obligations. If Fury wins back-to-back fights against Usyk, and Joshua has his hand raised in London, the two are expected to meet in a £200million mega-fight early in 2025.

The Brits could then rematch next summer, with the second fight potentially taking place at Wembley. Last month, Fury claimed he is ready to fight into his 40s – and walk to the ring another 10 times. “We’ve talked about 10 more fights and that’s the aim. I’m not even 36 yet so I’ll go to 40, all these fighters go to 40,” he said.

“If they can line them up quickly I’ll do them. I can get the best out of me when I have two, three, four fights on the spin. If they can do it, fantastic. I’ll do Usyk, Usyk, AJ, AJ – if he doesn’t get beat in the meantime – so that’s four.

“Then I’ll do Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce, then Joseph Parker, that’s seven. Then I’ll go to America and chuck in an American, maybe Deontay Wilder for a fourth time. Maybe a European, an Agit Kabayel. Then for the 10th I’ll probably do a trilogy with Usyk.”

 

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Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch date confirmed and plan revealed for Anthony Joshua to face Fury afterwards

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Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have discovered when they will meet in a contracted rematch.

The two current leading heavyweights in the division will do battle on May 18 in Saudi Arabia, as they look to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

As part of their agreement, Fury and Usyk’s contract has a two-way rematch clause with the second episode anticipated to take place later in 2024.

And Saudi boxing chief, H.E. Turki Alalshikh, has confirmed in an interview with ESPN, that the fight has been pencilled in to be staged on the weekend of October 12/13 to kick off the latest instalment of Riyadh Season.

Anthony Joshua is then expected to enter the frey, with a fight planned to take place next March against British rival Fury, the showdown that fans have desired for years.

Should Fury and Usyk take one win apiece in their two-fight saga, it is expected that a trilogy bout will then be targeted immediately after AJ and the ‘Gypsy King’ do battle.

Negotiations collapsed between the two teams originally in 2023 as a result of a dispute over the rematch clause, but it was later ironed out and resolved.

It is an exciting time in the heavyweight world title mix, and fans will likely get to see an exciting period of action providing the plan comes to fruition.

The second meeting is expected to take place without the IBF title on the line, as the winner will likely be stripped following the event.

Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic are expected to contest the vacant strap when it is stripped, as part of their crunch showdown on the ‘5 vs 5’ card on June 1 in the Middle East.

Fury has become an integral part of the Saudi revolution in the sport, having previously fought Francis Ngannou in Riyadh last October.

It is likely he will remain a key cog in some huge events, with Joshua also being touted to headline a September ‘Riyadh Season’ card at Wembley Stadium later this year.

The ‘Gypsy King’ is extremely confident of beating Usyk comfortably the first time, but has changed his stance and offered respect to his decorated foe.

He said during an interview with Queensberry Promotions: “Oleksandr Usyk’s a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you’d be a mug.

“So I’m training hard for him, I’m doing everything I can.

“I respect Usyk as a man. I respect his career as well – Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, unified heavyweight champion.

“You have to respect that, I’m fighting the real deal. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“He’s got good footwork, good boxing ability, technically sound.

“He’s proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights because he’s beat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. I’m messing with an elite fighter.”

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‘Britain’s Mike Tyson’ links up with Anthony Joshua’s trainer ahead of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard bout

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Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

Moses Itauma will be training alongside Anthony Joshua for the foreseeable future.

The fast-rising heavyweight prospect has linked up with AJ’s trainer Ben Davison ahead of his upcoming clash on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard on May 18.

Itauma is set to square off against 28-fight veteran Ilja Mezencev (25-3) at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in only his ninth pro fight.

The 19-year-old starlet has got off to flawless 8-0 start to his pro career with six of those wins coming by way of first-round knockout.

His explosive all-action style has led to him being branded ‘Britain’s Mike Tyson’ by the national press.

And Itauma has eyes firmly set on breaking ‘Iron Mike’s’ record as the youngest heavyweight world champion.

He told The Mirror: “I want to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson who was 20 years old.

“I need to take small steps but also ensure that I step up the tasks very quickly. I want to do short steps but not too much with them.

“Youngest ever world heavyweight champion is in my mid-term goals but it is something that I can believe I can achieve before 2025.

“It is not what I am thinking about right of this second, but I want to let that come once I have grown as a professional. I have gone from not having any press at all to this and it is crazy.

“I am in the right place because Frank Warren has all the other big heavyweights at the moment so I think I have a bright future.”

Before picking Davison as his new head coach, Itauma was being trained by the well-respected Alan Smith at the Ibox Gym in Bromley.

But Itauma has since confirmed that he is now working with Davison by posting a montage of the pair hitting pads together, with the caption: “Consistently improving.”

Davison is best known for training Fury for his return to the ring in 2018 but after splitting up a year later he joined forces with AJ in December 2023 ahead of his fifth-round stoppage win over Otto Wallin.

It proved to be a much-improved performance from Joshua’s previous two outings against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius under former head coach Derrick James.

In those bouts, Joshua was criticised for his gun-shy approach, however, since linking up with Davison he has seemingly rediscovered the fire in his belly.

Following the Wallin fight, Davison was brought back on board for Joshua’s second-round demolition of Francis Ngannou and is now his cemented head trainer.

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