The year in boxing is about to end with a bang when Oleksandr Usyk puts his unified heavyweight world championship crown on the line against Tyson Fury in a highly-anticipated rematch Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN PPV .
With the stakes supremely high, DAZN News analyzes the fighters across several categories to find out who has the edge going into the mega bout.
Boxing skills
When it comes to boxing skills, both Usyk and Fury are strikingly blessed.
Highlights from the first fight in May will tell you that Fury was able to use his seven inches of reach advantage to crank uppercuts straight through the guard of Usyk, popping the Ukrainian’s head back each time the blows landed.
Meanwhile, Usyk launching a left hook around Fury’s guard in the ninth round had the “Gypsy King” reeling and nearly stopped.
Both men are as adept in the sweet science as a fighter could get.
This one’s a draw.
Edge: Draw
Power
(Getty Images)
DAZN’s FACE OFF segment had Tyson Fury labelling the left hook that Usyk rocked him with as the “punch from the Gods,” adding “he could have punched me with that punch a million times, it may not have any effect.”
But it did have an effect when the two fought seven months back, with Usyk saying the punch "was perfect.”
Despite Usyk nearly knocking Fury out clean, Fury is the bigger man with more power to his punch ... if he uses it.
There were too many sequences in their original fight where Fury blasted Usyk with an uppercut, only to admire his work, instead of pouncing on the champ.
He has more power to his punch as the bigger body and must use it.
Edge: Fury
Speed/Footwork
Usyk’s amateur pedigree and undisputed cruiserweight dominance help him here.
It all starts from the feet as the Ukrainian moves exceptionally well laterally with a bounce and rhythm to his fight game. Then, he has the speed on top of that which is a combination enough to give any opponent fits — on offense or defense.
Fury is evasive defensively as well, but Usyk has him beat with speed and footwork.
Edge: Usyk
Stamina
The conditioning of a heavyweight can make a difference and Usyk’s movement across a 12-round fight was impressive, as he was able to keep his stamina at a high level and not get gassed in a very demanding fight.
Fury, on the other hand, had his gas tank nearly hit empty especially in that ninth round which he just managed to survive.
Edge: Usyk
Adjustments
Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Just when Fury was building momentum, taking rounds five, six and seven, Usyk adjusted and shifted the tide of their original fight. Him catching Fury with a left flush to the face in the eighth round changed the dynamics of the fight and paved the way for a raucous ninth when Usyk came close to finishing Fury courtesy of that left hook and the barrage that followed.
Fury, segueing from his first fight with Deontay Wilder to their rematch, has proven that he can make adjustments, too.
But until he does, Usyk owns this edge.
Edge: Usyk
Mental Warfare
Fury looked across the table in DAZN’s FACE OFF and told Usyk “you’re f—d in the rematch.”
If he really believes his hand should have been raised with the split-decision win in May, it’s time for Fury to leave no doubts.
Usyk dressing up as a hitman during the buildup to this rematch might have sent chills down the spines of other fighters. But probably not Fury who can be as resolute as a fighter can be when it comes to mental warfare.
Despite Usyk owning one win over Fury, the “Gypsy King” and his knack for being cerebral give him the slight edge here.
Edge: Fury
So which fighter has the edge going into this fight across these categories? It’s Usyk, 4-3.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV
The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here.
A PPV event is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.
This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.
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