Oleksandr usyk defeats tyson fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion

Experts predict the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk _The Los Angeles Times asked the following experts to predict the winner of Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight title

bout._ It’s finally here and like so many I have probably swayed one way and then the other over the last several months. Was the Francis Ngannou fight a show of decline for Fury? Has the

postponement of the original date given him more time to get himself together? Will he be able to use his size and strength against such a skilled operator, or will Fury try to make it a

battle of skills? The fights that generate the most questions, the most amount of jeopardy and the most uncertainty around who might win are the best matches — though they don’t necessarily

make the best fights. For the longest time, I felt Fury was No. 1 in the world, but as time has gone on, I feel like it is now Usyk and it is his time. I can see him cutting Fury with his

shots from angles, being too busy and too active and winning a decision on points. The question then, is what will the scorecards tell us? _— Tris Dixon, editor in chief, Boxing Scene_ If

the taller, heavier Fury can cut the distance and impose his physicality on Usyk, he’ll narrowly win a decision in what figures to be a very competitive fight between these two technicians.

Fury must neutralize Usyk’s jab and limit his movement, or the smart southpaw will beat him on points. Fury by split decision. _— Keith Idec, reporter, Boxing News (UK)_ Fury is in shape and

mentally dialed in for this showdown, so I expect a competitive fight, but I believe Usyk’s greater activity, mobility and punch creativity will command the majority of rounds. Fury’s size

could make for an ugly, rough contest but his slimmed-down frame tells me he’s going to try to match Usyk’s speed, nimbleness, and skill. Who knows? Maybe Fury is smart and talented enough

to outbox the master boxer, but my hunch is that he’s not used to matching wits with a heavyweight as smart or smarter than he is. Bottom line: Usyk will make the necessary adjustments to

win the rounds as the fight unfolds. Usyk by close unanimous decision. _— Doug Fischer, editor-in-chief, Ring Magazine_ This is a fascinating matchup. Fury is an extraordinary challenge for

any smaller opponent because of his size and ring savvy, while Usyk’s relentless pace and work rate should be a nightmare for Fury, particularly if he’s not in shape. The referee could also

play a major role if Fury decides to turn it into a dirty brawl. It’s a toss-up, but Fury’s performance against Ngannou makes me question whether he’s mentally and physically prepared to

handle the rock-solid Usyk, who will not get outworked. Usyk by late-round knockout. _— Greg Beacham, sports writer, Associated Press_ A slick and steeled southpaw, Usyk is armed with the

poise and pedigree to subdue Fury, who hasn’t yet faced his caliber of boxer. If only he was a little bit bigger. The challenge and stakes of their undisputed showdown should bring out the

best in “The Gypsy King.” His length and size prove the difference in a battle of supremely skilled technicians. Fury by decision. _— Sam Gordon, sports reporter, San Francisco Chronicle_

Fury and Usyk are so skilled that they might just nullify each other. It could start cagily, and if a physical chess match continues, we may get a controversial draw. If pressed for an

absolute victor, on what I’ve seen this week, I’d sway to Fury, on points, or even late stoppage. _— Gareth A. Davies, boxing correspondent, The London Telegraph_ A lot of people aren’t able

to split Fury and Usyk due to their respective skill sets. However, Fury hasn’t had to display a top-level attitude, game plan, and execution since the second Deontay Wilder fight in 2020.

Those four long years without being worried about what is in front of him could come back to haunt Fury during the contest. Usyk is as slick as they come and dominated Anthony Joshua on two

occasions with ease. It’s conceivable he could do the same with Fury, depending on how the fight evolves. In the end, Usyk should have enough to card a decision of some form but don’t be

surprised if there’s controversy and Fury finds himself on the end of a lucky draw. _— Phil Jay, editor, World Boxing News_ The Fury who beat Steve Cunninghan in 2013 and Ngannou in 2023

will lose to Usyk. The Fury who beat Wilder in 2020 and again in 2021 will beat Usyk. I think we’re going to see the latter. When he is physically and mentally ready, Fury is the best

heavyweight in the world. He seems to be physically and mentally ready. Fury by decision. _— Randy Gordon, host, SiriusXM Fight Nation’s “At the Fights”_ Fury’s height and reach are

undoubtedly going to be a factor in the fight. Usyk will have to find a way to slip the jab and get into a middle distance where he can do his work. He may take some punishment on the way

in, but he showed in 24 rounds with the hard-hitting Joshua that he has the ability to take a big shot. Both men are great boxers and have very good ring IQ. Usyk is more versatile and will

need every bit of it to pull out the decision in a tense and exciting bout. Usyk by decision. _— Kevin Iole, founder, KevinIole.com_ I was going to question whether Fury would be in top

shape after a sluggish performance against Ngannou. But that’s no longer a concern because he appeared slim throughout fight week. That likely means Fury plans to outbox Usyk, one of the

best technicians in the sport. It’s not a bad strategy because Fury can lean on his size advantage, but Usyk has already proven that he can take punches from massive heavyweights. Fury is a

great boxer, but Usyk is better. Expect Usyk to deliver a sensational performance for a majority decision win. _— Gilberto Manzano, staff writer, Sports Illustrated & co-founder of

Compas on the Beat_ I’m convinced that Fury’s poor performance against Ngannou was the result of a lack of preparation, not his decline. Fury seems to be ready for Usyk, both physically and

mentally. And while the gifted Usyk probably is a somewhat better technician, Fury is a capable, athletic boxer who also has a monumental size advantage. This will be a case of a good

smaller man beating a good bigger man. Usyk by unanimous decision. _— Michael Rosenthal, editor, Boxing Junkie (USA Today Sports)_ Joshua had trouble finding Usyk for 24 rounds. Usyk needs

to deliver a similar performance against Fury and his experience will pay dividends. Usyk knows he can’t overpower Fury, and he would be smart to avoid a firefight. Usyk will take a tactical

approach and outmaneuver Fury with footwork, speed, and ring generalship. It may not be an aesthetically pleasing fight or an exciting one, but when Usyk is holding all the belts draped in

the Ukrainian flag, he won’t care, and he will make boxing history. Usyk by decision. _— Gayle Falkenthal, West Coast bureau chief, NYFights.com_ Split decisions are controversial by

definition, and this one figures to be. Already, there are reported plans for a rematch later this year, perhaps in October. Controversy would set the stage for that planned sequel. Saturday

is already a pick ‘em fight. Fury has the best shot at a stoppage, mostly because of his Goliath-like advantages in height and reach. But his slimmed-down upper body suggests he’s planning

to go the distance against the clever, tireless Usyk, whose tactical know-how is seemingly unlimited. From fight-to-fight, round-to-round, Usyk finds a way. He will again, although he faces

a huge risk in trying to get inside Fury’s long jab. Also, expect Usyk to target the scar tissue near Fury’s problematic right eye early and often. Fury looks to be in good condition. But

there are still questions about the condition of that eye. A bloody answer could be a decisive factor in Usyk’s favor in an otherwise close fight. Usyk by split decision. _— Norm Frauenheim,

writer, 15Rounds.com_ Fury is the best in the heavyweight division. However, he had an underwhelming performance against Ngannou last year. I do not think Fury took that fight seriously, so

I like to exclude that fight when I talk about the Englishman. This fight will be a chess match, and I don’t expect a knockout. Fury can easily dominate Usyk physically, but the Ukrainian

is also an elite fighter and has shown he has the talent to pull another upset. He can win if he moves a lot, targets the body, throws combinations, and avoids Fury’s jab. I think Usyk has

enough stamina to do that for 12 rounds. Usyk wins by a close and controversial decision, which sets up a second fight. _— Eduard Cauich, sports reporter, LA Times en Español_ It’s all in

the mind. If Fury wants to end his fight against Usyk, he needs to take it seriously. In his last fight against the boxing debutant Ngannou, Fury was too relaxed and comfortable, even having

fun. He complicated a fight that he probably felt it was too easy, allowing Ngannou to gain some momentum and believe he could win the fight. If Fury comes out with the same attitude, Usyk

will not give him the space and will make him pay. This time around, with his mind in the right place, I expect a focused, ready to win-it-all Fury to drop Usyk in the later rounds. _— Jad

El Reda, sports reporter, LA Times en Español_