In a physical brawl scenario, Fury emerges victorious.

"In a street brawl, Fury is victorious"

In the upcoming heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, commentator Bernd Bönte is poised for an exhilarating night. In an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de, Bönte shares his insights on why this fight holds significant importance to boxing, why he believes Usyk has the advantage, and potential weaknesses.

This Saturday marks an incredibly important moment for boxing history. 25 years have passed since the last undisputed heavyweight champion made their mark, and now, with Fury and Usyk going head-to-head, another title will emerge. The event is a giant leap forward, signaled by the massive media attention and hype surrounding it.

As a long-time manager of the Klitschko brothers, Bönte has a unique perspective on the heavyweight division's shifting landscape. The most recent era belonged to the Klitschkos, and surprisingly, that run didn't last long. From 2008 until 2013, both Klitschkos held multiple world titles. But before their reign, fragmentation within the division persisted from various federations. Now, the much-anticipated showdown sees all available championship titles at stake.

Reflecting on the potential financial implications of the event, Bönte believes it will be the most significant fight of the century and could become an all-time great. However, the outcome's greatness depends on the quality of the battle: whether it's a nail-biting fight at the highest level or a strategically tedious one.

So, whom does Bönte back? He predicts Usyk as the champion. He perceives Usyk as the better fighter but acknowledges the high skill level of Fury. Despite the ongoing drama, a close fight awaits, according to Bönte. The final verdict lies in how each fighter approaches the duel. Essentially, if the bout revolves around crafty boxing skills from Usyk and brute force from Fury, expect Usyk to emerge victorious.

Bönte praises Usyk's impressive speed, footwork, and technical prowess. However, Fury has substantial advantages in size and weight. To make it a street fight - as Bönte puts it - Fury must use his considerable mass and aggression to combat Usyk's quickness and mobility. It's an interesting, closely matched contest. Time will tell if Fury can create a brawl or if Usyk's elusive strategy secures his victory.```

What type of fight do you think we're going to see between Fury and Usyk?Let's explore the possibilities:

Classic Technical Boxing: Usyk might utilize his speed, agility, and footwork to maintain a consistent rhythm, making it challenging for Fury, who typically enjoys smashing his opponents and riding the momentum. Usyk has consistently demonstrated the ability to dominate the ring for 12 straight rounds, implementing a clinical approach. He's also notorious for his predilection for stick and move tactics, indulging in a rigorous routine of chronic training to stay in peak form. The question here lies in Fury's ability to break that rhythm.
A Street Fight in Disguise: More intense, full of dramatic turns and unexpected outcomes, a street fight between Usyk and Fury would showcase their respective powers. Usyk's smaller stature and lightning speed could force Fury to fight back aggressively. However, this strategy might expose his weaknesses if he relies on his brute strength too much.

In either scenario, Usyk is set to display his renowned agility and tactical smarts, challenging Fury to try and counter his aggressive style. Conversely, Fury, with his colossal size, unwavering determination, and formidable record, would need to break free from Usyk's rhythm and impose his authority. A combination of powerful body blows, devastating hooks, and pressure through a relentless onslaught could make this a Street Fight.```

The coach of the boxer is Sugar Hill Steward, having been Wladimir's assistant at training camps for some time. He follows the so-called Kronk school from Detroit, taught by Sugar Hill's uncle Emanuel Steward. With great boxers like Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis, and Wladimir Klitschko, this method entails boxing behind the jab, dominating fights without taking risks, safe boxing, and clinching larger opponents, taking away their momentum.

But why is this challenging for Fury against Usyk?

If Usyk's fit, healthy, and capable of using the incredible footwork he's displayed in all his fights, including those against Anthony Joshua, it'll be tremendously difficult for Fury to stop him. Usyk's even improved in rounds ten, eleven, and twelve against Joshua and dominated those fights. His endurance and quality demonstrate him as a true class act. He's managed to withstand some brutal punches from Joshua and demonstrated his takedown skills. Fury doesn't possess a punch as powerful as Joshua's.

However, Fury's demonstrated takedown and standup capabilities. Boxing giants like Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder haven't managed to knock him out. Could the physically weaker Usyk do it?

That relies on the frustration factor. If, as I mentioned, Usyk gets stronger and angrier, withstanding Fury's attacks, anything's possible. Knockouts can occur when least expected. Usyk's greatest asset is his incredible speed - with his hands and body. His agility allows him to hit from numerous angles, even with both hands. His left hand is exceptionally powerful, one of the best in the heavyweight division. You witnessed that against Joshua, who stumbled a few times. If the first fight had continued slightly longer, Joshua could've been knocked out. This shows that Usyk possesses the necessary skill. Assuming a point's decision will occur.

Are you concerned about a controversial decision like the Evander Holyfield versus Lennox Lewis fight in New York in 1999?

I was at Madison Square Garden, commentating the fight for Premiere, the forerunner of Sky. I believe I had Lennox Lewis about three or four rounds ahead, as did everyone else around me in the media. But of course, in boxing, the judges' opinions are subjective, meaning they may view the fight differently or intentionally. With Fury vs. Usyk, both sides certainly influence the selection of judges. I think that, beyond the judges and referees, corruption may play a role.

Kronk School from Detroit emphasized a big man hitting a smaller one with an uppercut. Is that the primary punch for Fury?

Certainly, but the question is, how fast must you be to land this effectively on this small, agile, hyperactive opponent? That applies to any punch. You need to consider that the uppercut is a risky move for the person throwing it. The punch is relatively long from the beginning, allowing the opponent to counterattack. Usyk, as an expert in this form, has this down pat. However, he can't stand in front of Fury and let him shoot up an uppercut. But of course, he's aware of this. He'll always attempt to be mobile, dodge, and never stand directly in front of Fury.

There are many people in the UK who say that Fury must attack the body, as that's Usyk's weak point. Is that true - are body shots Usyk's kryptonite?

Yes, you've witnessed that in the clash against Daniel Dubois in August 2023. I was present at the event in Wrocław, seated right at the front of the ring. It's open to interpretation whether Dubois knocked down the world champion with a low blow in the fifth round or if the punch was legal. It was on the borderline. The reality is, the referee deemed it a low blow and issued a warning. Had it not been a low blow, Usyk would have risen back up and continued fighting. There's no denying that Usyk was not in a disastrous state and could have pressed on. It's apparent that Usyk has regularly complained to referees in other fights about suspected low blows that were actually body shots. That's his vulnerability.

In boxing, it's commonly said that a solid heavyweight boxer will always defeat a skillful lightweight boxer. What makes you think Usyk shatters this norm?

The term "good" remains subjective, but I firmly believe that Usyk is superior in many facets. Tyson Fury, a tall and heavy man, should theoretically manage the bout by utilizing his reach from a distance, like past celebrated heavyweights such as Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Vitali, Wladimir, or Larry Holmes. Employing the jab. The problem, though, is that if there's no one obstructing your jab and you're constantly moving, it's challenging to use the jab and reap the benefits of your reach advantage. The issue for Fury: interfering with the pace of the nimble, quicker opponent, as Usyk's great asset lies in his speed, various angles, and agile movements. He constructs every fight around these. And that's the reason he's won each bout so far. The intriguing question lingering is whether Fury, in top shape now, can disrupt Usyk's tempo and display his own abilities. We'll have a better grasp on that by the end of the day.

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Despite the coach's emphasis on safe boxing and clinching larger opponents, it may be challenging for Fury to implement this strategy against Usyk due to his speed and agility. Instead, Fury might need to create a "street fight" atmosphere by utilizing his size and aggression to combat Usyk's quickness and mobility. This type of fight could be labeled as the "Fight of the Century" and may determine who becomes the undisputed heavyweight champion, a title not held by any boxer in 25 years. With both fighters possessing exceptional skills, this outing promises to be one of the most exciting events in boxing history. [Bernd Bönte, commentator and long-time manager of the Klitschko brothers, believes that Usyk's victorious run could potentially continue against Fury.]

Source: www.ntv.de