The outcome of the fight will hinge on a single round: an expert has predicted the scenario for the Usyk vs. Fury rematch.
In just a few weeks, the second fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will take place in Saudi Arabia. Champion discussed with boxing expert and editor-in-chief of Sportarena.com, Serhiy Dryha, what to expect from this mega-fight, whether Usyk can break the longevity records of the Klitschko brothers, and what awaits us in the heavyweight division after Oleksandr concludes his legendary career.
– Mr. Serhiy, Usyk has entered the top-10 oldest champions in the 140-year history of the heavyweight division. Does he have the potential to surpass Vitali and Vladimir Klitschko in this ranking?
– He might surpass Vladimir, if he remains in the heavyweight division after the rematch with Fury. However, surpassing Vitali seems unlikely. It’s very difficult to maintain a presence for five years given the current competition, even for a phenomenon like Usyk.
– In December, Usyk is set to face Tyson Fury in a rematch. Will it be more challenging for Oleksandr than in the first fight? How do you envision the scenario for this bout?
– In my opinion, the rematch is unlikely to differ from the first fight. This was also the case in the Usyk – Joshua rematch. It’s doubtful that either boxer will radically change in six months. The question is how prepared each of them was for the first fight, considering the postponements. If we see the best versions of Usyk and Fury, we should expect a similarly close match, the outcome of which could be decided by a single round. Once again, it will likely come down to a points decision, with one fighter winning by split decision.
– In the event of a victory over Tyson Fury, Usyk will face Dubois again for the absolute championship, as he voluntarily vacated the championship belt in favor of Daniel. Many were surprised by this generous gesture from Oleksandr. What logic do you see behind this decision? Why did Usyk do this?
– It seems to me that there are two reasons. The first is to avoid the burden of a mandatory defense while having a rematch with Fury. And to prevent losing the belt due to a decision from the International Boxing Federation (IBF). The second reason is simply Oleksandr's character. He has already accomplished a fantastic feat by becoming the absolute world champion in two weight categories. Beyond that, the number of belts no longer matters – he won’t gain more, and no one can take away his place in history. Ultimately, can we rule out a third fight with Fury, regardless of the outcome of the rematch?
Oleksandr Usyk
– It seems that Usyk's upcoming fights will take place exclusively in Saudi Arabia? Do you think hosting major sports and music events – is the correct stance for the Saudis, who aim to reduce their country’s dependence on natural resources in the long term?
– Sports are a crucial component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program, which aims for a complete and global transformation of the country from a world leader in oil extraction and sales to one of the leading nations in technology and investment attractiveness. And sports encompass more than just boxing. It includes football, golf, tennis, wrestling, and MMA.
Saudi Arabia plans to invest $2.5 trillion in various projects, which represents 10% of all global investments. The kingdom aims to enter the top 15 world economies, introduce a Saudi green card, and significantly enhance the country's tourist appeal, taking its religious characteristics into account. Among other initiatives is the construction of new airports, scientific and cultural centers, and entire cities.
The career of the Ukrainian is currently at its peak, yet also on the final stretch. Who will succeed Usyk in the heavyweight division? Thanks to the Klitschko brothers and Usyk, we have become accustomed to the dominance of Ukrainians in the heavyweight category. Will we soon have to part with this pleasant familiarity?
– Most likely, yes. Especially now, a new star is rising in the UK, the reigning world champion Daniel Dubois. He is only 27 years old and is the youngest in the top 15 heavyweight rankings. Dubois is a protégé of Frank Warren, who knows how to manage fighters and keep them at the top. Let’s not forget that Tyson Fury is 36, Anthony Joshua is 35, and Zhang Zhilei is even 40. Most of the top stars will soon exit the stage, so Dubois is in an excellent position for prolonged dominance.
If we mention Frank Warren, we should also highlight Vladyslav Syrenko, who recently signed a contract with the British promoter. Vlad is 29; he is still a promising fighter who lost a few years of his career due to a lack of qualified management. If Warren's company pays more attention to Syrenko, he could be in a championship fight in a year or two. And then, it will depend on how circumstances unfold.
Maxim Rozenko, Champion
Editor-in-chief – Denys Shakhovets