All-time great Lennox Lewis knows about big time heavyweight boxing of which this weekend ahead most certainly is.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury throw hands for a second time Saturday night December 21st in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to BoxNation Lewis said:
“Omar (Box Nation): Omar here with Box Nation, joined by one of the best ever to lace them up—Lennox Lewis. The two guys fighting in nine days—Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk—are trying to join that elite list that you’re on, Lennox. Do you believe the winner belongs on that list alongside you?
Lennox Lewis: Absolutely. He’s definitely put in the work to earn a spot on that list. It’s going to be a tough fight for both guys—mentally tough, physically tough. They’re going to push each other mentally and physically. Both fighters want this win. Oleksandr Usyk hasn’t lost a fight, and he wants to keep that going. He wants to be the heavyweight champion who remains undefeated. So, this fight is going to be both a mental and physical challenge.
Omar: Lennox, I spoke to Michael Moorer this week in Hamburg, and his prediction is very bold. He says Oleksandr Usyk will stop Tyson Fury in the 10th round. What do you think of that prediction, and what’s your prediction for the fight?
Lennox Lewis: Wow. That’s bold. I think it’s going to be a banger—a serious fight. After the first fight, I actually went and rewatched my Evander Holyfield fight, and I asked myself: what’s the difference between our fight and Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk? Let me tell you the difference—one guy was more serious than the other. You could argue Tyson Fury lost that first fight, and Usyk won it. Now, it’s a situation where they’re having a rematch, and Tyson Fury has to win. He’ll be more focused this time. He might put on a little more weight to get through the fight. He’s going to take it more seriously.
Omar: Lastly, Lennox, His Excellency has said that if Tyson Fury wins this fight, he wants to bring back Wladimir Klitschko for a rematch with Fury. What are your thoughts on a 48-year-old Klitschko potentially returning to the ring?
Lennox Lewis: Well, they’ve got bigger problems right now with the war in Ukraine, and that’s where their focus is. I really don’t think Wladimir will come back just for this fight. Usyk is a mover—he’s hard to hit, and he knows exactly what to do. He gets in there, lands his punches, and then he’s out of range. It’s a chess match. Both guys will need to use their ring intelligence and IQ.
Tyson Fury has the size—6’9″. He moves well, and he needs to get that jab working. I like Fury with a little more weight because it allows him to push the smaller guy back and lean on him. There are a lot of tools Tyson Fury can use to make life difficult for Usyk and make it a tougher fight for him.
Omar: The shot that really had a lot of success for Tyson in the first fight was the uppercut, particularly going to the body. How key do you think that will be for Tyson Fury in this rematch?
Lennox Lewis: I noticed that too. He caught Usyk with a couple of uppercuts. When people ask me how I’d fight Usyk, I always say, “Throw a good uppercut.” Usyk is susceptible to uppercuts. That’s how I’d approach the fight for sure.
Omar: Do you think Usyk is vulnerable to body shots?
Lennox Lewis: Well, anyone who looks vulnerable to the body usually goes back, works on it, and toughens up. They want their opponent to think that’s a weakness. It could be a trap—Usyk might look vulnerable, but his body could be stronger than people realize. If Tyson goes for the body, Usyk will likely try to counter.
Omar: Tyson Fury showed incredible will in round nine. The ropes were holding him up, and he got the standing 8-count. As a former fighter, did that just emphasize how much of a fighter Tyson Fury truly is?
Lennox Lewis: Absolutely. He got hit on the nose, and it sent him back onto the ropes. He bounced off once, and then I think he used the ropes intentionally to stay up. Some referees would have stopped the fight, but I thought the ref in that fight did a great job. He stayed focused and allowed them to keep fighting.
Omar: If Usyk were to win, how would you describe the way he does it?
Lennox Lewis: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Usyk should stick to what worked in the first fight but take it up a notch. Stay mobile, avoid the uppercuts, and make sure he’s the one landing the most punches.
Omar: And on the flip side, how does Fury beat Usyk?
Lennox Lewis: Fury needs to establish his jab, use his size, rough Usyk up, and make the fight physical. He has to lean on Usyk, use his body weight, and make it harder for Usyk to move freely. Throw more punches, stay busy, and don’t give Usyk clean looks.
Omar: Lennox, you were the master of overturning results in rematches. Tyson has had success in rematches too—he drew with Wilder and then demolished him in the second fight. He also did it with Derek Chisora. What was it about your mentality that allowed you to flip the script in those rematches?
Lennox Lewis: For me, the way I lost was like falling off a horse. All I had to do was get back on that horse and hold on tighter. I knew the mistakes I made, and I knew I just had to work harder to make sure they didn’t happen again.
Omar: Do you think Tyson left the venue that night knowing how to beat Usyk next time? Was it the same for you—you left the fight knowing exactly what to do in the rematch?
Lennox Lewis: Absolutely. Tyson Fury knows what he did wrong, and I’m sure he left the ring thinking, “I know how to get you next time.” You could say that night, he lost it, and Usyk won it. Now, Fury has to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Good point from Lewis on Usyk wanting to protect his undefeated record, too.
Of course, Fury wants his belts back which likely is an even bigger motivator.
It is safe to say both fighters are highly motivated so likely it will come down to some of the tactics Lewis’ mentioned above, and how starts well.
