Tyson Fury faces the biggest hurdle in his professional career so far when he takes Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night. With undisputed heavyweight status on the line, it is one of the biggest matchups in recent boxing history. That said, many feel that Fury is quite possibly trying to pull the wool over the eyes of his opponent.
For those unaware, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will unify the heavyweight titles in a contest that will yield the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Whilst the fight is a massive occasion for the sport of boxing, putting the fight together has not been an easy task. Owing to numerous setbacks and delays, the fight was put off for a long time.
THE RING OF FIRE AWAITS. TOMORROW 👑🔥#FuryUsyk | MAY 18 12PM ET | @ESPNPlus PPV pic.twitter.com/7tLDX8rti3
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 17, 2024
With initial contract negotiations stalling, followed by scheduling conflicts and Fury’s fight against Francis Ngannou, the fight was pushed from late last year to February of this year. That said, an injury suffered during sparring further pushed the fight to May 2024. Whilst the fight is set to go ahead, some believe that the injury suffered by Fury could play a factor in the upcoming fight.
Will Tyson Fury’s sparring injury play a role in the upcoming fight?
For the most part, Tyson Fury has been hot and cold during the build-up to the fight against Oleksandr Usyk. At times looking to go off on a spiral and remaining composed in other instances, he has been trying to ‘sell a fake’ to his opponent by trying to lead him on. Whilst he is no stranger to playing mind games, some believe that Fury could still be feeling the effects of his recent sparring injury.
As some fans and many others have pointed out, Fury turned a cold shoulder to Usyk during their latest press conference. Whilst some believe that it is a part of his strategy to keep tempers from flaring, others believe that he is trying to hide the injury he sustained two months ago. Although the brutal cup has seemingly healed, only Usyk would have the opportunity to get an up-close look. Whilst it had been the popular theory since the last press conference, that theory has seemingly been dispelled.
‼️ Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk FINAL FACE-OFF…
[🎥 @Queensberry]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 17, 2024
Coming to the end of fight week festivities, both fighters stepped on the scales ahead of the big night. Whilst Fury weighed in at 262lbs, Usyk was recorded at 233½lbs, with sources alleging that his weight was misread and is in fact, 223½lbs. Most notably, the two once again had their faceoff and this time both fighters got a good look at their opponent, face to face and eye to eye, and even involved a bit of pushing and shoving.
Tyson Fury has suffered an injury in the same spot against Otto Wallin
For the most part, the theory of Tyson Fury potentially wanting to hide his injury was one that a lot of people found plausible owing to numerous factors. Throughout his career, ‘The Gypsy King’ has suffered brutal injuries including his ankle sprains, and his cut against Otto Wallin during their fight in 2019. Despite Fury emerging victorious by way of a unanimous decision, the big talking point was regarding the cut he suffered.
Looking back, the cut that Fury suffered against Wallin bears a striking resemblance to the one he suffered in sparring in the lead-up to the Usyk fight. Not only that but the black eye he suffered against Francis Ngannou, albeit on the other eye, would also have had a lasting effect on the boxer. Thus, the fans felt that there could be potential remnants that Usyk could get a look at and try to capitalize on in their fight.
That said, many have instead advised the Ukrainian to try and focus more on the body of Tyson Fury, seeing that his mobility and ability to hop about is one of his strengths. Considering the occasion and everything that is at stake, one can fully expect that such ‘games’ are being played on either side. As is the case with high-profile bouts, the fight begins before the two boxers even step inside the ring.