By Elliot Worsell
When asked about his thoughts on Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk responded by saying, “Just like a sniper.” He then pointed to the spot between his own eyes, symbolizing his method and mentality. Usyk implied that he only needed one opportunity, one chance to strike. To achieve this, he would adopt a stealthy approach, much like a skilled sniper. As the smaller fighter, he understood the importance of focus, patience, and quickness. When the perfect moment presented itself, he would take action, and his mission would be accomplished.
In advance, there will be a need for preparation. Prior to the commencement, he will carefully observe, assess his target, and remain undeterred. He will watch as the target tries to deceive, aiming to disturb him, and he will maintain a fixed gaze. Instead of the magician’s eyes, he will focus between them, directly at the target. At that moment, he will question whether his words had resonated with the target.
Instead of being caught off guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18, Tyson Fury had received a warning. The only uncertainty was when the ambush would occur. It could happen in the first round, the 12th, or any round in between. However, it shouldn’t have been unexpected because the sniper wasn’t concealed or anonymous. In fact, he was right in front of Fury, smaller in size and meant to be under control and surveillance. All of his attributes were visible and seemingly less formidable than Fury’s own abilities.
Indeed, it was this knowledge that had Fury unsuspecting, almost as if he had been blindsided. Sure to the point of arrogance, he ran to the ring to the strains of “I Need a Hero” and then proceeded to get into Usyk’s face upon stepping through the ropes. Confident, maybe, or perhaps more a display of nervous energy, either way Usyk was unmoved. He stood firm. He licked his lips. He quite happily played the straight man to Fury’s clown.
Subsequently, as expected, the moment arrived for both contenders to undress and depart, leaving them fully vulnerable. At this juncture, there were no unexpected elements or hidden agendas. Every façade and every companion who masked their apprehension to deceive the favored fighter had vanished. Now isolated yet united, Fury and Usyk solely had one another.
Fury cast his gaze downward, while Usyk directed his eyes upwards, searching for that precise point between the brows. Usyk’s eyes revealed a depth that could only be discerned through intense scrutiny. Within their depths, one could witness vivid images of previous battles and catch a fleeting glimpse of the future concealed amidst their darkness.
However, even with this understanding, Usyk was well aware of the immense challenge he faced. There is no doubt that he realized the magnitude of the task ahead. If there was any uncertainty, it would have vanished the moment the first bell rang and he observed Fury, towering at 6’9, as he relentlessly pursued him, throwing only left crosses at his midsection. At this point, it appeared that this was the only punch that Usyk felt comfortable using, given his own height of 6’3, and the only area of Fury’s body that he could effectively target. It was the sole part of Fury’s body that he could reach, as it remained stationary amidst the constant movement.
In the first round, Fury continued to display a high level of nervous energy. However, there were noticeable differences this time: his anxiousness was evident in his choice of punches and footwork, and Usyk now had the opportunity to respond rather than passively observing. In the second round, Usyk quickly found his rhythm after getting a feel for the match in the previous round. He surprised Fury with a left hand punch within the first few seconds. Although Fury brushed it off with a laugh, it was still a significant achievement for Usyk as he was able to close the distance and successfully land a hit on Fury’s upper body, marking a breakthrough for the southpaw.
Fury, in round two, adapted by utilizing his size more effectively. By firmly planting his feet, he unleashed a barrage of body shots towards Usyk, occasionally with a hint of unpredictability. The moment these heavy blows connected, the visible impact on Usyk was evident. The sheer force and weight behind Fury’s strikes would jolt him, making it clear that Usyk would prefer to avoid taking such hits, if given the choice.
He accelerated his pace in the third, constantly moving in and out to prevent Fury from gaining control. He would take charge from the middle of the ring and strategically block off Fury’s movements whenever he sensed an attempt to escape. However, Fury, sensing that Usyk was becoming too at ease, took the initiative to initiate a clinch in the third round. The purpose of this maneuver was to both exhaust Usyk and serve as a reminder of his opponent’s strength.
Anger erupts during the intermission (Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Fury, realizing his need for more, entered the fourth round with a newfound urgency. Surprising Usyk with his relentless pace, Fury managed to elicit a reaction from his opponent every time he landed a powerful blow to the body. This sight further fueled Fury’s confidence and allowed him to unwind and find enjoyment in the fight.
Fury’s natural looseness allowed him to move with agility, causing frustration for Usyk. In the sixth round, Fury delivered the most powerful punch of the fight, a right uppercut, which visibly shook Usyk. It was expected that Fury would capitalize on this opportunity and continue to attack, but surprisingly, he remained composed. As Usyk attempted to evade, Fury patiently observed and unexpectedly extended his long arms to strike him with a right to the body.
Fury had a significant impact in the sixth round, but he continued his dominance in the seventh by executing an unexpected lead right uppercut. At this point, even when Usyk attempted to create some action by flurry of punches, it appeared ineffective. It seemed either Usyk’s punches lacked power or Fury remained composed enough not to be bothered. By now, Fury had established a sense of control, as much as he could expect in a fight of this magnitude, and he had reached his maximum potential in terms of gaining control.
By the eighth round, Usyk sensed that things were slipping away and began to make subtle yet crucial adjustments. He caught Fury’s attention with an early right-left combination, and his left hands caused swelling beneath Fury’s right eye. This injury balanced out the small cut above Usyk’s right eye that he had previously acquired.
In this game of momentum, Usyk now possessed the parcel once again. He hadn’t held it since the initial rounds, but now he had regained control and was determined not to give it up as easily as before.
Moreover, Usyk had the opportunity to capitalize on this moment and he certainly did in the ninth round when he landed a powerful left hand on Fury. It was undoubtedly the most significant and impressive punch of the entire fight. Despite being hurt and unable to hold on, Fury appeared too resilient to be knocked down. However, he reacted to the blow by swaying back and forth, resembling those arm-flailing tube men that signify imminent failure rather than promoting a product or store. It seemed impossible for Fury to remain standing at this point. The atmosphere became stagnant, leaving both Fury and the audience in a state of uncertainty. This caused the referee, Mark Nelson, to hover around Fury as if he was waiting for him to collapse, as if that would make his decision easier. Without a clear outcome, Nelson faced a crucial decision. He had to choose between allowing Fury to endure further punishment in the last 30 seconds of the round or stopping the fight altogether.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images captures the moment when Usyk successfully connects with a powerful left punch.
Ultimately, Nelson arrived at the belief that there was sufficient evidence suggesting Fury was solely supported by the ropes, prompting him to initiate a count. Nevertheless, witnessing the way Fury subsequently made his way back to his corner further bolstered the already compelling argument that he ought to have been stopped instead of being counted.
Despite Fury’s impressive ability to bounce back, there was never any uncertainty that he would revive. This was particularly expected because Usyk was significantly smaller, making it impossible for him to easily overpower Fury or attack him like he would against opponents who didn’t demand him to exert extra effort to land punches.
Despite his best efforts, it was not meant to be. It should be acknowledged that Fury skillfully navigated through the next two rounds, the 10th and 11th, by prioritizing self-protection over exchanging blows. This tactic effectively created a stalemate, allowing time to pass and giving him the opportunity to regain his strength in his legs.
It was evident that whenever Usyk landed a punch, Fury’s cheerful demeanor changed. Instead of smiling and playfully sticking out his tongue in response, Fury’s expression turned into a grimace and he looked concerned, especially in the final quarter of the fight. This concern persisted in the last round and even after the fight, when he was surrounded by the people who had built him up and told him that Usyk was too small for him. When his promoter, Frank Warren, informed him that the decision was going against him, Fury no longer found anything amusing.
Fury, with a record of 34-1-1 (24), expressed his thoughts on the scorecards (115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Usyk, and 114-113 Fury), stating that people are supporting his opponent due to his country being at war. However, he firmly believes that he emerged victorious in that fight, making his comment devoid of humor or kindness.
While it may not be a popular opinion, I personally believe that Usyk won the fight by a score of eight rounds to four, with one of those rounds, the ninth, being scored 10-8 due to a knockdown. As I watched the fight, I couldn’t help but feel that any controversy surrounding a rematch should focus more on what happened in round nine, where Fury was on the verge of being stopped, rather than the entirety of the 12 rounds. It was during that round that we were all taken aback by the sudden and significant damage Usyk was able to inflict, catching us off guard with no warning or indication of his intentions.
It’s like Don DeLillo wrote in Libra, his book about Lee Harvey Oswald: “Even after you think you’ve seen all the ways violence can surprise a man, along comes something you never imagined.”
