Many pundits believe that size will be the defining factor when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off for the undisputed heavyweight title, but the latter believes he can use it to his advantage.
Usyk will likely enter the ring around 50lbs lighter than Fury. He’s around 4 inches smaller in height and gives away a reported 7 inches in reach.
Fury has used his weight to tire opponents in the past, forcing them to hold him up in the clinch and sapping their energy. He does, by all accounts, present a heavier challenge than Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois.
In an interview with the Ring Magazine, the Ukrainian laughed when saying “we are going to be the ones leaning on Fury” after being asked if he was preparing for ‘the Kronk lean’ that the Brit used so effectively against Deontay Wilder.
Later in the interview, the unified champ reflected on his late father’s role, memory and the motivation he has that will make up for any size difference.
“My father got to see me win [the Gold Medal], and that is very important to me that he did. Every day, I pray for my father. He is the one who put me into this life, and he is the one who told me growing up, ‘Son, you can.’ It gives me a lot of motivation. Understand, my father is always with me. It is very true. I carry my father’s strength with me. I carry his photo with me everywhere. I have wanted this fight. Boxing wanted this fight. It gives me more motivation knowing the boxing world wants me to win. To win this, I don’t need to be heavy, I need to be fast, and quick. You never see a fat wolf in the forest.”
Fury and Usyk face off on February 17 for all four heavyweight titles.