At a time when MMA is cutting corners from boxing, this is THE fight that can restore luster to the elder of the two disciplines. Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night (around 11:30 p.m. PT) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
At the end of this undefeated duel, the new absolute monarch of the heavyweight category will be crowned. That of legends, from Jack Dempsey to Mike Tyson via Joe Louis and Mohamed Ali.
“Gipsy King” advantage
The Englishman holds the WBC world title, the Ukrainian has the WBA, IBF and WBO belts. The winner of this clash between well-started thirty-somethings (35 and 37 years old respectively) will be the first unified champion since the British Lennox Lewis, a quarter of a century ago.
The volcanic Fury appears as the favorite, at a height of 2.06 m, which allows him to tower over his opponent by 15 cm. This major advantage and a much greater weight (126 kg compared to approximately one quintal) give an undeniable advantage to the “Gipsy King”.
After putting an end to Wladimir Klitschko’s reign in 2015, Fury could see himself taking on another Ukrainian, who won everything at light heavyweight before moving up to the premier category in 2018. But if Usyk is nicknamed “the Cat” , it’s not for his mustache or a possible propensity to snooze 18 hours a day.
“He has incredible technique and speed,” emphasizes Donatas Piskun, executive director of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation. While he may not have the same power as Fury, his boxing IQ and stamina make him a dangerous opponent. »
“I would also like to note that for Oleksandr, discipline comes first, which is not the case for his rival. And then, he certainly feels supported and responsible for his country, especially in this difficult period. This can give him extra motivation and strength in complicated times. »
“He really is a huge star”
Obviously, Piskun announces “an unequivocal victory” for his favorite, a few days after the IBF world lightweight title won in Australia by his compatriot Vasyl Lomachenko, whose father and brilliant trainer Anatoly also counted a lot in Usyk’s career .
“He really is a huge star,” says Andrew Todos, a British-Ukrainian independent journalist born in London 28 years ago. “Even people who don’t follow boxing or sports closely will watch his fight [dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche, à 0h30 heure de Kiev, sur la plateforme en ligne Megogo]assures the founder from the Zorya Londonsk site, which covers football news from its home country in English. Even if the majority will not be able to follow it in a group in a bar or on a big screen, because of the curfew. »
He leaves London to join the front
In a country at war, athletes act as ambassadors and providers of a little happiness, especially when they are as involved as Usyk. A native of Simferopol, in Crimea, the boxer had nevertheless sometimes been accused, at best, of lukewarmness and criticized for having declared that Russians and Ukrainians formed the same people, after the annexation of the peninsula by Moscow, in 2014. Another era …
As soon as the country was invaded in February 2022, this father of four left London, where he was to prepare for revenge against the Englishman Anthony Joshua, to join the front.
“He was in territorial defense, he went to the east of the country several times and, today, he constantly helps our armed forces,” explains Donatas Piskun. His house in Vorzel [à 40 km à l’ouest de Kiev] was destroyed by the Russian invaders. In October 2022, Usyk became one of the ambassadors of the United24 platform for the reconstruction of the country. He donated 12 million hryvinias [280.000 euros environ] to rebuild a house in Irpin and also actively participated in the purchase of electric generators. »
Zelensky’s message
But the sportsman turned soldier was invited to return to the rings, where his talent and his aura allow him to carry high, and on television, the yellow and blue colors of his country.
Before his 21st professional victory, his 14th before the limit, last August in Wroclaw in Poland against the Englishman Daniel Dubois, a recorded speech by President Volodymyr Zelensky was even broadcast: “Ukraine fights thanks to the strength that you go see, the strength of our people as powerful as Oleksandr Usyk,” said the head of state and war.
The champion then dedicated his victory to Ukraine and its army. An entire country hopes to hear the same words echo in the Saudi night, after the shock against Fury (34 victories and 1 draw in 35 fights). And beyond.
“ “I expect that he will enjoy very strong support around the world, from Ukrainians living abroad, in America and Europe in particular,” says Andrew Todos. But many non-Ukrainians also like his personality. Even in the UK, not everyone will necessarily be for Fury. » »
While the situation is complicated on the front for the Kiev regime, the until now invincible Usyk weighed his words when commenting on this tragic news this week. “I really appreciate the support of my Ukrainian fans and the soldiers, did he slip Guardian. It’s a great source of motivation. Maybe I motivate my people, he added. Maybe… “