Can Tyson Fury Beat Oleksandr Usyk in Their Rematch?
The date has been set for December 21st in Saudi Arabia. The sponsors are lining up to get involved, and the athletes have begun their pre-match verbal sparring. Everything seems to be in place for the Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk rematch, yet one question hangs heavy in the air: Can Fury win, and what does he have to do to get there?
The Previous Bout
Usyk beat Fury last time by a split decision. He then took the WBC belt to become the undisputed champion. This made him the first one since Lennox Lewis in 1999, and he has now won all 22 of his professional fights. It was the first time Fury had lost in his 16-year professional career, which is something that will certainly influence Fury’s mindset going into any rematch.
Fury was at the top of his game, in great condition and tactically sound, but when you are beaten at that peak of mental and physical fitness, it can be hard to know what else to do. This requires deep digging into the reserves and is often spurred by a desire to be at the top. Having already been there, it may be challenging to find the same determination he once had.
What Should Fury Change?
A lot of the questions and doubts surrounding the outcome can be set at the door of Fury himself. Many pundits believe that he has not been giving the right signals and are questioning his desire for a rematch.
One approach being suggested is that Fury needs to change his tactics right from the get-go. At the last bout, he was seen talking to his father, John Fury, trainer Sugar Hill Steward, and assistant Andy Lee. Following that, he improved midway through the match. However, the damage was already done, and it cost him when it came to the decision.
These three voices need to become one. Tyson needs a unified voice in the backroom that gives him advice, confidence, and the desire to win. Others need to go through them so the signals are not confused and muddied. This may mean reorganising or completely changing his team. It will cause tension and ructions, but it is part of becoming a champion and learning.
Part of this may come down to John Fury himself. As his father, he will always be part of the inner circle, but Tyson may need to spot the negative impact his father’s actions are having ringside and before matches. Embroiled in a pre-match ruckus, his father will have had a direct impact on Tyson’s state of mind during the week leading up to the match.
What Should Usyk Do?
Usyk does not need to do anything. He did everything right on the night, and the proof was in the pudding. He is the better boxer when it comes to tactics, and that is what allowed him to win the title. Fury has the physical advantage, but he lost by falling into Usyk’s game of actual skillful boxing. This is where Fury went wrong, and suddenly he was playing a game where his physicality was not giving him the advantage. If Usyk can get him to that point again, Fury has very little chance of winning.
The question remains whether Fury is mentally capable of changing anything. He has already gone into the bout saying he can only win if he knocks Usyk out, believing judges will never side with him. If he goes in swinging his fists aiming for a knockout, he repeats the same tactics employed before.
However, he has also said his enjoyment was his biggest failure, showing he has learnt some lessons. In a talk with Furiosity on YouTube, he explained how the fight was easier than he thought and he was able to land a lot of blows on Usyk. This, he believes, led to an overconfidence that led to him taking a big hit in the ninth round.
Major changes need to be made by Fury. Physically, he has the ability to make the right changes. However, both in himself and in his camp, something needs to change mentally. It could be the biggest test of his career, and in December, we will find out if he can do it.
