Long-Awaited Fury vs. Usyk Fight Set for May 18, 2024

For the first time in over 20 years, the heavyweight boxing division will have a unified champion once Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight belt on May 18th, 2024. The expectations and excitement for this fight cannot be overstated, as the months leading up to it have been filled with drama and anticipation. So what can fans expect from the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century? Let's look at the background of the fight and some expert predictions.

A Bit of Boxing History

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is a tale of two narratives. Fury is one of the biggest names and most recognizable stars in boxing. He holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title and is one of the most wagered-on fighters in the sport. On the other hand, Usyk is less known but arguably more respected in the sport. ESPN ranks him as the 3rd best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, higher than every other heavyweight, including Fury. Fury lands just 10th in their rankings.

The road to get to this point was a long one. Neither fighter has lost, with a combined record of 55–0–1, with the lone draw coming via Fury after nearly falling to Deontay Wilder. Fury seemingly had the undisputed heavyweight title in 2015 after his controversial win over Wladimir Klitschko, only to have his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title stripped after failing to fight Klitschko again. The fight contract included a rematch clause. Rumors of a fight between the 35-year-old Fury and 37-year-old Usyk circulated in October 2023, officially being announced on October 25th. The anticipated fight, however, didn’t happen.

Why the Fight Got Postponed Twice

Upon the initial announcement, both camps announced the fight date as December 23rd, 2023. However, after Fury suffered injuries in his October 28th fight against Francis Ngannou, the fight was postponed until early 2024. This decision was controversial. Fury underestimated Ngannou, a former MMA fighter making his professional boxing debut, and was knocked down in the third round. The heavyweight champion surely didn't expect to sustain injuries against a first-time boxer, and his fight contract with Usyk reflected this. However, upon suffering injuries, his manager demanded a postponement, a demand criticized heavily by Usyk’s camp.

On November 16, the bout was again officially scheduled for February 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three months later, Fury encountered more problems, suffering a cut above his right eye during sparring. A doctor determined there wasn't enough time for Fury to recover, again postponing the fight until May 18. This postponement was less controversial, as Fury's promoter provided photos of the injury

What Can Fans Expect

With the fight officially on the books, fans can spend the next several months preparing for an epic fight. At least, that's what we hope. While Fury has long claimed to be the greatest heavyweight in the world, pound-for-pound rankings disagree, and his underwhelming performance against Ngannou is a cause for concern. On one hand, the fight looked like a pure money grab for Fury, so perhaps his training could have been better. Despite that, Fury is supposed to be the best heavyweight in the world. Even with unfocused training, he was knocked to the canvas by a fighter who had never boxed before the fight, which is concerning.

Conversely, Usyk's biggest enemy could be the tape. While both fighters are near the tail end of their career, Usyk is two years older than Fury. He is also four inches shorter with a seven-inch reach disadvantage. However, Fury hasn't faced a southpaw since 2019, and while his eye should be recovered, it could still be tender by the time the fight happens. Zhilei Zhang, a former interim WBO heavyweight title holder, claims that Usyk could attack the injury.

What Do the Experts Think

While the experts and pound-for-pound rankings favor Usyk, Fury became a -170 favorite over Usyk at +130. Those odds have changed slightly, with the Gypsy King holding to a -125 favorite compared to Usyk's +100. This makes Fury a moderate favorite. While many experts have yet to make a pick, a few exceptions exist.

Former world champion Evander Holyfield sees weaknesses in Fury's style that could give Usyk the advantage. Former interim heavyweight title holder Joe Joyce thinks the fight is 50/50 and doesn't have a prediction, which is excellent news for fans.

In other words, it's a coin flip. For those who bet on boxing online, the margins on this fight will be tighter than any in recent memory. However, many betting experts see the most significant value in Usyk’s +100. Both fighters have their advantages, and we will only know who has the advantage once they both step into the ring in May.

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