It’s finally here – Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk throw hands

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet this Saturday at Riadh Arena in Saudi Arabia, their heavyweight titles on the line.

In a perfect world (never happen in boxing, not even close) this piece would be about the rematch between Fury and Usyk, but a cut over Fury’s eyebrow postponed their February fight.

Many on social media smelled a rat. Fury had faked the cut, they said. No. He had done it to himself. Please. He (and his team) had let it happen since Fury was in horrible shape.

Possible. Boxing – the red-light district of sports, is filled with corruption, greed, and scandal, but Fury’s cut WAS deep. And bad. Combine that with his last foray into the ring against Francis Ngannou. Fury hit the canvas and looked sloppy. He got the decision, but that wasn’t the plan.

Things are different now.

“I’m confident we are going to get a vintage performance,” said Fury’s promoter Frank Warren to Freddie Doorman of givemesport.com a few days ago. “I spoke to him during the week. He’s in very good shape and I think, although he has that cut, it has come good as he has had back-to-back camps. Physically, I have never seen him look so well. He has worked hard to be in his best nick on the 18th of May. I just feel he is going to put on a magnificent performance and stop Usyk.”

Usyk, Jekyll to Fury’s Hyde, has had no drama during his eight-week camp.

Fury (34-0, 24 KOs) has nothing but respect for the Ukrainian.

“I’m putting Usyk as the best man I’ve ever fought. Better than Wladimir Klitschko, better than Deontay Wilder, better than them all. Two-time, two-weight world champion and an Olympic gold medallist. I’ve been very impressed with all the stuff he’s done. He boxed the head off Anthony Joshua, who was supposed to be a killer. He’s done a good job with all the people he’s fought.”

Usyk has done a good job. Some say great. He’s the ultimate road warrior.

Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) has been throwing hands (and blocking them) since winning gold at the 2012 Olympic games.

In his 10th fight, he ventured to Poland and outpointed hometown hero Krzysztof Glowacki to capture the WBO cruiserweight title.

Usyk became the unified champion of the cruiserweight division in 2018 by defeating Mairis Briedis.

The traveling man went to London, where he knocked out Tony Bellew in eight rounds.

Usyk moved up to the heavyweight division and defeated Derek Chisora in 2020. Several experts predicted a bigger heavyweight would handle him.

Enter defending heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

It took Usyk less than five minutes to figure Joshua out. His 12-round victory was without question. The rematch was closer, but Usyk used his guile and fast hands to edge Joshua.

Standing 6-foot-9, Fury is six inches taller than Usyk. His reach advantage is double digits. Look for him to work the body.

Usyk will have to stay under the Fury jab and counter. He’ll use his clever head movement to make Fury miss. Usyk must be on point to win.

The edge here goes to Fury.