The much-anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is set to be one of the most significant bouts in recent heavyweight history. On Friday evening at the Wonder Garden carnival, Tyson Fury tipped the scales at a career-high 281 pounds, signaling a potential shift in strategy for Saturday’s showdown.
Fury’s Weight: A Career Milestone
Tyson Fury, nicknamed “The Gypsy King,” arrived at the weigh-in sporting a burly beard, leather jacket, jeans, and shoes. This marked a stark contrast from his appearance in May when he weighed 262 pounds—shirtless and dressed in track pants.
Fury's current weight surpasses his previous career high of 277.7 pounds, recorded during his February 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder. In that fight, Fury used a relentless pressure strategy to secure a dominant seventh-round TKO. His bulked-up physique for the Usyk rematch hints at a similar game plan to overwhelm his opponent with size and aggression.
"I’m pretty lean," Fury told ESPN earlier this week. "I’m in good shape, fit as a fiddle, and ready for Saturday night."
Usyk: Consistency and Precision
Defending champion Oleksandr Usyk, weighing in at 226 pounds, displayed his trademark discipline. The Ukrainian fighter, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, entered the weigh-in in a tracksuit, T-shirt, and shoes. His weight remains consistent with his first bout against Fury, where he tipped the scales at 223.5 pounds.
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) is known for his agility, southpaw stance, and unparalleled technical skill. Having cleaned out the cruiserweight division before moving to heavyweight, Usyk now holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles, following two decisive victories over Anthony Joshua.
Preparing for Redemption
This rematch represents more than just a fight for Fury, who is determined to avenge the first loss of his career. His May defeat by split decision came after being dropped in Round 9, and Fury admits his preparation was less than ideal.
For this fight, Fury relocated his camp to Malta, avoiding distractions and dedicating himself entirely to training. He even went three months without speaking to his wife, Paris, to maintain focus. This time, Fury has been sparring regularly—four times a week—and feels significantly better prepared.
Fury, standing 6-foot-9 with an 85-inch reach, plans to use his size advantage against Usyk, who is 6-foot-3 with a 78-inch reach.
The Stakes
Fury, ranked No. 2 among heavyweights by ESPN, faces the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in Usyk. With Usyk competing at heavyweight for the seventh time, this fight promises to be a clash of contrasting styles: Fury’s size and power versus Usyk’s speed and precision.
Top 3 Comments from Fans"Fury looks massive! If he can use his size like he did against Wilder, Usyk might have a tough night."
"Usyk’s consistency is incredible. His discipline and technical skill might be too much for Fury, even with the weight difference."
"This fight is going to be epic—classic matchup of power vs. precision. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top!"
As the boxing world eagerly awaits, the rematch promises to deliver fireworks, with both fighters bringing their unique strengths to the ring. The question remains: will Fury’s size and aggression overwhelm Usyk, or will the Ukrainian champion's skill and speed prevail?
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