Full Preview – Unified World Heavyweight Title

Usyk-Fury 2 sees the top two heavyweights in the world once again tussle for supremacy. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury square off on 21st December 2024 at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, for the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles. In a rerun of the Usyk vs Fury first fight, Usyk took a deserved split decision triumph. The rematch winner will further cement their place in the pantheon of boxing greats. The stakes don’t get much bigger than this.

This bout headlines a DAZN PPV card, beginning at 10.25 pm GMT.

Oleksandr Usyk: Ukrainian Phenomenon

Usyk is the reigning unified world heavyweight champion. The 37-year-old Ukrainian sports a 22-fight professional ledger, with 22 wins and no losses. A remarkable career includes winning the unified title at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. 

Usyk cleared out the cruiserweight division with emphatic wins over Marius Breidis and Murat Gassiev. Before stepping up to heavyweight to decision Chas Witherspoon and Derek Chisora. Followed by a virtuoso performance to defeat Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO crowns. His recent fights include wins over Joshua (again), current IBF king Daniel Dubois, and Fury.

Key Stats

Age: 37

Stance: Southpaw

Height: 6’ 3” / 191 cm

Reach: 78” / 198 cm

Career record: 22-0 (14 KOs)

Tyson Fury 

Fury has had huge wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder (twice) in his stellar career ledger. Since scaling those heights, he’s lost a step in recent years due to inactivity. Indeed, his first loss to Usyk exposed vulnerabilities in a relentless, high-paced battle. But that setback leaves him itching for revenge in the rematch.

Key Stats

Age: 35

Stance: Orthodox (switch hitter)

Height: 6’ 9” / 206 cm

Reach: 85” / 216 cm

Career record: 34-1-1 (24 KOs)

Let’s examine the keys to victory in Usyk-Fury 2.

Usyk Keys To Victory

Uysk heads into this contest as the man to beat. He knows he can hurt Fury, as round 9 of their first encounter so dramatically revealed. Let’s break down how he can win this contest.

Routes to The Body

Usyk should continue to attack Fury’s midsection with stabbing jabs and quick left crosses. The body remains a key attack zone to slow Fury down and set up headshots.

Many pundits think Usyk is weak in the body, but Fury couldn’t get close enough to test it in their first fight.

Variety

The key to Usyk’s success is to keep opponents guessing. Using fluid movement combined with an array of shots often dazzles his foes. 

Fast Pace

Usyk’s main route to success is to apply constant, steady pressure. He exhausts opponents with relentless physical and mental pressure. If he can maintain the pace he showed in fight one, Fury could again tire in the championship round.

Fury Keys To Victory

How can fury give himself the best chance of glory?

Dark Arts

Fury is a time-served master of boxing’s dark arts, including low blows, keeping his left arm outstretched, and mauling rough tactics on the inside.

The Uppercut

Last time out, Fury had some success with his uppercut. Using his superior reach and size to land damaging left and right uppercuts on the smaller man. Futy must mix up the uppercut to the head and body to keep Usyk from marching forward on the front foot.

Size Advantage

In the first bout, Usyk did an excellent job of preventing the clinch by fanning his arms to the side. Can Fury find a way to establish the clinch and lean his body weight over the Ukrainian’s neck and back?

Individual attributes aside, top-level boxing demands focus. The main danger for both men is staying focused, having accomplished so much in boxing. Especially Fury. The Briton tends to switch off in key moments of a contest. He can’t afford to repeat his clowning antics this time.

Whichever fighter retains their focus could have the upper hand in Usyk-Fury 2.

Usyk-Fury 2: Final Prediction

This one promises to be another close fight. We will go with Usyk to keep his unified crown in a gruelling 12-round war.

The bookmakers make Usyk the favourite and with good reason. Despite his weight gain as a heavyweight, he remains fleet-footed and elusive. With a varied, spearing jab, constant level changes, and a heavy left cross. It’s difficult to pinpoint a weakness. Other than a rumoured weakness to the body, which looks overstated.

Across the ring, Fury has lots to prove. Has a first career defeat affected his confidence? Or will it spur him on to another memorable performance?