Usyk is one of the very few fighters that I root for, I respect his conduct as a champion. He is a great role model for up-and-coming fighters, showing them that dedication and discipline can take you far, especially in the current HW division. I don't think I've ever seen him come in out of shape, he's finely honed for every bout. Usyk has shown that size is not the ultimate attribute to have as a fighter. Still, I can't shake this feeling that he is in for a bad night.
Curiously, I have quite the opposite impression. I sense that Fury is exceedingly anxious about Saturday. I just watched the grand arrival (or whatever that pompous procession and five-minute interview with each participant is called), and he appeared unable to stand still. He was chewing gum, singing, and engaging in various activities that seemed like displacement behaviours, attempts to divert his mind from contemplating what Saturday will bring. I did not observe a genuinely confident man; rather, I saw someone striving to convince himself and the viewers of his confidence. Usyk, on the other hand, appeared natural and composed. He mentioned having a plan, and his body language and overall demeanour reinforced that assertion. Usyk exudes true confidence, as if he views his victory as inevitable. And you know what? I believe he is right.
I would feel extremely surprised. Do? I would advise him to retire while the getting is good. Take the money and run.
Hoping for a close fight and neither destroys the other. So I would probably be disappointed, if anything.
I would be shocked honestly. Fury hasn't destroyed a fighter in years and I'm not sure he could put up that type of offensive performance against a guy as slick as Usyk. I'm hoping that he doesn't stink out the joint like he did against Wlad.
Agree fully Lordlosh and the other haters love the Ngannou performance, but it definitely woke him up. Win or lose Sarurday? He looks great and I honestly think he will win this quite easy If wrong? I have no problem admitting so, as I like Usyk. But Fury is going to do a number on him imo
It was the Wlad fight that was years ago (2015). Fury has since absolutely destroyed Wilder in their second fight (2020) and likewise Whyte (2022).
I expect Fury to win. I think it will be a case of good big man beats good little man. Usyk has some seriously good skills though and can win, this will be an embarrassment to the Furys after all of their trash talk and shenanigans.
Fury gets respect and reaffirms that he was the king of his not very respected era. But Fury has the whole Carnera/Valuev thing where whatever he achieves will be conflated to his size and he will get less respect for said success than a smaller man would have. And while Usyk beat AJ and is a better boxer than him AJ was probably the tougher matchup for Fury. Even if Usyk wins I'd probably believe that. That would be my personal opinion. If Fury beats Usyk who beat AJ hes probably quitting while hes ahead and relentlessly trolling those who thought he would lose(most people myself included). Honestly I was an advocate of Wilder in this generation because he did something at a level no one else has even if hes probably 4th or 5th best. Usyk, Fury and AJ aren't that in any way. I really am looking forward to this division turning the page because this chapter wasn't a particuarly captivating one in my book.
To put it mildly, I am not too keen on Fury, not as a person nor as a fighter. However, I absolutely detest the recent bout with Ngannou, as it has starkly revealed Fury's decline. This will undoubtedly diminish the significance of Usyk's eventual victory in the eyes of many. In my opinion, no version of Fury could ever beat Usyk as Usyk is everything Fury has historically struggled with in the ring combined–a fast, slick, skilled southpaw and former CW with a serious work rate and engine. Nevertheless, the impact of Usyk's inevitable win on Saturday will be greatly diminished after Fury was exposed by a boxing novice. There will likely be numerous excuses regarding Fury's mental health, age, and other factors.