The Australian compared the upcoming fight for the undisputed title to a chess game
Former IBF world cruiserweight champion Jay Opetaya shared his expectations for the upcoming fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion between the WBO/WBA/IBF/IBO champion Alexander Usik and WBC belt holder Tyson Fury.
“The difference in size will definitely play a role. Fury is 210 centimeters tall, and Usik is 192 cm. But Fury needs to use it. He has the tools to win, but he needs to use them. He needs to play to his strengths. The same goes for Usyk: he needs to play to his strengths.”
“I think they’ll throw a lot of punches, steal rounds and so on. I don’t think they’ll try to knock each other out. For most of the fight it will be a chess game. And this is a chess game that I really want to see. I want to see how a shorter fighter will fight against a taller one. And I want to see how Fury will respond to Usyk.”
Let us remind you that the big boxing evening on May 18 will be hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WBC proposes to reform the judges for the reporting fight between Usyk and Fury, increasing their number to 5-6 people. Penalties for boxers who refuse to fight are $10 million.
Opetaya is included in the undercard of this event. He will fight Maris Briedis. In addition, Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez will enter the ring in Riyadh, who will fight in an eliminator fight for the status of mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title. The card will also feature fights between Joe Cordina and Anthony Cacace, Sergey Kovalev and Robin Safar, Moses Itauma and Ilya Mezentsev, Mark Chamberlain and Joshua Wahab and others.
Separately, it is worth noting the fight between Ukrainian Daniel Lapin and Portuguese Octavio Pudivitra for the WBA Continental light heavyweight title.
The 28-year-old Australian was previously in Fury’s training camp but left in January. The reason is that there are no right-handed boxers in the camp of the Briton, who is facing a duel with the left-handed Usik, and Opetaye is facing a fight with the right-handed Briedis.
WBC President Mauricio Suleiman announced that an agreement had been concluded between the boxers for a re-fight. The WBO is also ready to sanction the second fight. It was reported that the fate of a possible rematch depends on the holding of the first fight. Fury said that the contract has a mandatory rematch clause, and a re-fight with Usyk could take place in October.
Suleiman also presented a special WBC belt for which Usyk and Fury will fight. Its design uses the colors of the Ukrainian and British flags. Pope Francis has already blessed the World Boxing Council belt that will be on the line in the title fight.
Source: Sportarena
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
