Tyson Fury has hinted on social media that he plans to add some bulk to his frame for his rematch against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In Fury’s last fight against Usyk, which he lost by a split decision in 12 rounds, he weighed in at 262 lbs on May 18.
On social media, Fury, 36, posted a pair of photos, one being the 262-lb version of himself against Usyk and the other weighing in at 277lbs for his trilogy match against to Deontay Wilder on October 9, 2021. Fury spoke favorably. of how he looked 277, suggesting that he will add some weight to his frame.
Unfortunately, it might not help Fury because he is 36 years old now, not the 33-year-old who beat Wilder in 2021. Also, Fury is not fighting the non-technical Wilder, who seemed to be outmatched in the skills department in all the three of their struggles.
The real problem is that Fury has aged and is not the same fighter he was three or four years ago when he fought Wilder. It is physically impossible for Fury to transform himself into the 277lb behemoth that defeated the hopelessly lost Deontay because he is too old. However, even that version of Fury would have problems against Usyk because he would be too slow and would make himself a target for sharp punching.
Passive wrestling is what saved Fury from being knocked out by Usyk last May. This and the referee, who gave Fury an eight count instead of waving the fight off in the ninth round when he was badly hurt by Usyk.
Fury fights Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), and is a much more talented fighter than him. Also, Usyk is lighter on his feet, faster and more agile. So even if Fury stretches to the high 270s, it won’t help him against Usyk. On the contrary, it will slow Fury down, making him even more of a target for Usyk’s punches than the last time they fought.
“He was in the shape of my life, but this is not the Gypsy King,” said Tyson Fury on social media about the condition he was in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year on May 18.
“This is him, 19 11-lbs bruiser,” Fury said of the 277 lbs he weighed in for his third fight against Deontay Wilder.
Fury would be better off coming in lighter for the rematch with Usyk rather than heavier as he will need every bit of speed he can get to avoid getting knocked out.
