IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk claimed the undisputed championship by defeating WBC champion Tyson Fury on February 17th at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His punching power has the potential to surprise many fans.
Chris Mannix believes that Usyk has the power to hurt Fury and possibly even stop him. He agrees, citing Fury’s past vulnerabilities to lesser opponents. Despite Fury’s imposing stature and strength, there are several aspects that fans and pundits are overlooking.
1. Fury’s age and declining performance at 35 years old.
2. Usyk’s athleticism.
3. The argument that Fury was never exceptional to begin with.
4. Fury’s wear and tear from three fights against Wilder.
5. How wealth has affected Fury’s motivation.
Despite being the favorite, Fury’s dominance is mostly based on his wins against Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora, which may not accurately reflect his true abilities.
Mannix also highlights Fury’s limited competition against quality heavyweights over the past six years, suggesting that his ranking may not be a true reflection of his skill.
Usyk’s underrated punch and calculated game plan
According to Chris Mannix, Oleksandr Usyk demonstrated his heavyweight power in his fights against Anthony Joshua, where he dominated both encounters. Mannix specifically notes Usyk’s ability to hurt Joshua, showcasing his significant punching ability.
He emphasizes that Usyk’s game plan and power could pose a real threat to Fury, potentially nullifying Fury’s mobility and size advantage.
Fury: Are you still elite or are there signs of decline?
Mannix questions whether Tyson Fury is still at the peak of his abilities, noting signs of decline in his recent fight against Francis Ngannou. He suggests that Fury may be rapidly aging and losing his edge as a fighter, pointing to his physical altercations with Wilder as potential causes for decline.
He expresses doubt over Fury’s ability to maintain his elite status, especially after facing relatively weaker opponents following his fights with Wilder.
Size factor: Does it matter?
Mannix and Mora debate the significance of Fury’s imposing stature and how it may impact his performance against Usyk. While acknowledging Fury’s physical advantages, they also highlight Usyk’s ability to compete effectively against taller opponents, as demonstrated in his fights with Joshua.
Both experts agree that the outcome of the Usyk-Fury fight will determine the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.
