BARRY MCGUIGAN COLUMN: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to rematch this weekend and the Ukrainian will beat his rival more decisively this time around
BARRY MCGUIGAN COLUMN: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to rematch this weekend and the Ukrainian will beat his rival more decisively this time around BARRY MCGUIGAN COLUMN: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to rematch this weekend and the Ukrainian will beat his rival more decisively this time around
Tyson Fury will need more than ‘beast mode’ and a beard to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury has talked about being away from his family and not speaking to his wife for three months. I just don’t buy this Spartan stuff. Not speaking to your wife won’t help. Being locked away from home, away from luxuries is no longer relevant in the digital age.
It’s nonsense. Quality sparring is the key. I would love to have been a fly on the wall during his preparation. I look at Fury and I don’t see how you can keep getting better at 36. He’s been at the top a long time.
We know he blows up between fights. He has had mental health issues. In my experience as a fighter, manager and coach, I don’t see him improving. Usyk is 37 but is a completely different animal.
A world class athlete who does not blow up between fights. He’s even talking about dropping back to cruiserweight. He is the better athlete who, even as an amateur, had a professional, disciplined approach. He is always in shape and committed to the sport.
Fury has a different way of doing things, which is fine, but does not promote a long career. Furthermore Usyk doesn’t pay attention to all the disruption. He just turns up to fight. Every. Single. Time.
That’s why he is unbeaten and why I don’t believe Fury will hear the final bell. Not only is Usyk a phenomenal athlete, he has Fury’s number. Fury normally has speed as well as size over his opponents, but Usyk can deal with tall opponents and has more speed. He is a marvel.
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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May. Victory for Fury could also set up a huge domestic showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua next year
It was by the grace of God that Fury got through the ninth round in the first fight. Referee Mark Nelson was reluctant to intervene with Fury clearly unable to defend himself. It took an age for him to step in, and when he did start the count it effectively ended the round.
You might get only one opportunity to finish your opponent like that. Had Nelson stepped in earlier, Fury would not have been saved by the bell. I would estimate he gained Fury gained a vital ten seconds. Those seconds are vital. Usyk can throw a three-punch combination in five seconds and take your head off.
It my view the referee’s actions were blatant. I hope Roberto Ramirez Jnr is an upgrade. In saying that he was involved in his own controversy during the Chantelle Cameron v Katie Taylor rematch when Taylor went down in the first and he ruled it a slip. Either way Usyk wins more decisively, and by stoppage.
Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
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