Top Rank promoter Todd DuBoef thinks Tyson Fury was lackadaisical and took things for granted in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk last May. That resulted in Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) fading in the middle rounds and losing a 12-round split decision in Riyadh.
Fury was hurt by a blow to the nose in the eighth and then was knocked down by a left from Usyk in the ninth round. Fury looked in bad shape and probably would have been stopped if the referee didn’t give him a standing eight count after he fell against the ropes.
DuBoef expects former WBC heavyweight champion Fury to be improved for his rematch against WBA, WBC and WBO champion Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) on December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
In Duboef’s view, Fury’s problems were the result of him being let down after starting well in the early rounds. However, it looks more like a case of Fury’s old habits coming back to haunt him with his decision to use the ropes to press down to avoid head shots. Normally, that works for him in his fights, but not this time. Usyk hit him with shots.
Fury, 36, has lost some weight and has plenty of time to put on more pounds before the rematch with Usyk in December. If Fury’s weight was the culprit behind his poor performance in the first fight against Usyk, he should take care of it in the rematch.
“In those middle rounds, it felt like it was just a tee off on him, and I think he got a little nonchalant and confident,” Todd DuBoef said. Sky Sports Boxing. “I think he learned a lesson, and it was a hard lesson. But I also believe that the other guy will be better this time because he has more confidence.
“I think he’s not going to take things for granted, and I think he’s learned a hard lesson.”
Fury’s lackluster performance last time out may not be a case of him being “a bit lackadaisical,” as DuBoef believes, but rather fighting a more talented fighter than him.
Usyk is much more advanced than the guys that Fury has feasted on during his professional career, and he hasn’t faced the cream of the crop since 2015. Fury’s best win since his career-best win over 39-year-old Wladimir Klitschko is Deontay Wilder, and he’s nowhere near the elite.
