THERE’S nothing like the adrenaline that courses through your veins seconds before the opening bell sounds in a heated world heavyweight championship fight.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, after months of “will they or won’t they,” are about to face off to determine the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis 24 years ago.
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Having been ringside in over 80 world heavyweight title fights, there have only been a few that I can describe as epic, history-making battles.
The highlights are three involving Muhammad Ali — two against Joe Frazier and the Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman.
The Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield trilogy, the two Holyfield-Mike Tyson encounters and Larry Holmes versus Gerry Cooney.
Fury-Usyk is billed as “Ring of Fire”. I don’t want to pour cold water on the flames, but I’ll be very surprised if this duel leaves us on the edge of our seats with excitement.
Usyk is too smart a technician to engage in an all-out war with a much more powerful man – six inches taller and several pounds heavier.
This Small and Big affair will likely be confusing and more mundane than memorable, with lots of clinches and Usyk using mind over matter as his most potent weapon.
Logically, there’s no way the Gypsy King could lose – that old saying about a good big always beating a good small was coined for good reason.
If it was the Fury of three years ago, when he knocked out Deontay Wilder in the last of his unforgettable trilogy, then I believe Usyk – despite his masterful skills and boxing brain – would be facing a heartbreaking defeat.
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But there was evidence seven months ago, when Fury was lucky to score a debatable points victory after MMA newcomer Francis Ngannou knocked him down, that his powers may be in decline.
Those three brutal, prolonged wars he had with Wilder could be catching up with him, resulting in his reflexes slowing down.
Young Fury would never have been caught by Ngannou’s left hook that sent him to the canvas.
There are two vital factors that can have an important influence on the outcome and which should not be neglected.
It’s quite possible that the deep cut Fury received in training, which required ten stitches just three months ago, could be reopened by Usyk’s precise strike. This would be a psychological blow to Tyson and would also force him to change tactics.
Usyk isn’t just fighting for himself – he’s carrying 40 million fellow Ukrainians on his back.
This deeply religious family man knows that if he returns to Kiev with the WBC belt, as well as the WBA, IBF and IBO straps slung over his shoulders, it will be a tremendous morale boost for his war-torn nation.
This is the first time two undefeated men have fought for the world heavyweight titles since the first fight between Ali and Frazier 53 years ago.
According to the betting odds, punters are not finding it easy to pick a winner – Fury is the smallest of the even-money favorites, while Usyk is at 11-10.
It will be no surprise if Fury uses his height and weight advantage to wear down Usyk physically.
But my gut feeling is that Usyk is smart enough to avoid Fury’s big punches and get a tight but decisive points victory.
Talking to people and boxing fans this week, I get the impression that Fury is losing popularity – not helped by his father John’s headbutting antics – and not many tears will be shed if he loses.
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