Fury vs. Usyk Fight Week, Kambosos Gets Dropped by Lomachenko!

It's fight week now for Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Usyk enters the spotlight as the IBF, WBO, WBA, and IBO World Heavyweight Champion. Undefeated in his campaign with names such as Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tony Bellew on his resume, Usyk is a worthy challenger for any undisputed championship in the top three weight divisions.

He has already conquered cruiserweight, becoming the first Undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion in the four-belt era. This distinction and his achievements in the Olympics have created significant buzz around Usyk's name. Dating back to some of the most important periods of Usyk's career, there has been no doubt from the boxing community that he has the potential to usher in a new era of heavyweight boxing.

If Usyk is to defeat Tyson Fury, it will mark the return of “small” heavyweights. The heavyweight division, heavily splintered since Lennox Lewis' retirement, has been dominated by giants. Between the years 2006 and 2018, no major sanctioning body had a world champion measured under 6'5. Usyk is 6'3", and naturally a cruiserweight. Usyk's role as the giant killer is now even more apparent, the Lineal-WBC Heavyweight World Champion is a staggering 6'9". Tyson Fury is a tall task to handle on fight night for any man.

Deontay Wilder's trilogy with Tyson Fury is the perfect example of size being a deterrent in the ring. Usyk will have to out-bully the biggest bully in the division this Saturday. Fury is known to lean on his opponents in the clinch, tiring them out while he presses forward towards the ropes. Usyk's cardio has been historically impressive, but he must be prepared to deal with the danger of Fury’s weight. Smothering punches is a key part of Tyson Fury's offensive setups, a skill he displayed against Derek Chisora. Usyk's distance management-based straight punches are the perfect counter to this, but it all depends on whether or not his team has made a significant effort in camp to train it.

Opposite Ukraine's biggest boxing box office draw, is Tyson Fury. The tales of Fury's successes are legendary. Tyson Fury's journey in the world of boxing is a tale of triumph, struggle, and redemption. The British heavyweight's career has been marked by remarkable victories, profound personal battles, and an unwavering determination to reclaim his place at the pinnacle of the sport. Fury's rise, fall, and subsequent return to glory encapsulate the resilience and fighting spirit that define the very essence of boxing.

Born into a family with a rich boxing heritage, Tyson Fury's ascent in the sport seemed almost predestined. He first captured the world’s attention in November 2015, when he defeated the long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified heavyweight champion of the world. This victory was a seismic event in boxing, ending Klitschko's decade-long dominance and positioning Fury as the new king of the heavyweight division.

However, what followed was a dramatic and harrowing descent. After his victory over Klitschko, Fury faced a series of personal demons. He struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The psychological toll of sudden fame, combined with underlying mental health issues, led Fury into a spiral of self-destruction. His weight ballooned, and he was stripped of his titles due to inactivity and failed drug tests.

In October 2016, Fury voluntarily relinquished the WBA, WBO, and IBO titles, acknowledging his need for treatment and recovery.

Fury’s journey through addiction and mental health challenges was a dark period, yet it was also the crucible that forged his resolve to return. He spoke openly about his battles, raising awareness about mental health issues and becoming an advocate for those suffering in silence. His openness resonated with many and added a layer of depth to his public persona, transforming him from a controversial figure to a symbol of resilience.

In 2018, after more than two years away from the ring, Fury embarked on a remarkable comeback. He shed over 100 pounds and reclaimed his fighting form. His return culminated in a high-stakes bout against the WBC World Heavyweight Champion, Deontay Wilder, in December 2018. Wilder at this point in time was seen as unstoppable. America's great heavyweight was no pushover. He had defended the WBC World Heavyweight Championship 10 times, each fight ending with his opponent waking up from the ground. Fury, in his grand return, needed to make a statement. The fight ended in a dramatic split draw, with Fury rising from a devastating 12th-round knockdown to finish the bout on his feet. The rematch, held in February 2020, saw Fury deliver a masterclass performance, defeating Wilder via a seventh-round TKO to claim the WBC heavyweight title and complete one of the most extraordinary comebacks in sports history.

Following his victory over Wilder, Fury's focus turned toward unification. This has been a very long and drawn-out process that has been discussed several times on the DQ w/ Damani Podcast. Fury has stalled the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship fight for so long that competition has been bottlenecked. Mandatory challengers are sitting on the fence, international and regional belts hold little weight, and the division is truly in shambles.

However, now is the time to fix it. The heavyweight division has not had an undisputed champion in decades, and Fury's eyes are now set on achieving that status. After defeating Derek Chisora and Francis Ngannou, the next target is Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer who has risen through the ranks with a flawless record. Usyk’s technical prowess and unorthodox style pose a significant challenge, but Fury’s confidence and adaptability make for an intriguing matchup.

The anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk promises to be a historic event. It is more than just a fight for the Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship; it is a contest between two contrasting styles and personalities. Fury, with his towering frame, unconventional movement, and psychological acumen, versus Usyk, with his smaller stature, exceptional footwork, and strategic precision. The fight symbolizes a convergence of boxing artistry and raw power, with the potential to crown the first Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion in the four-belt era.

Tyson Fury's journey from the heights of championship glory to the depths of personal despair, and back to the summit of the heavyweight division, is a testament to his resilience and unyielding spirit. His battles inside and outside the ring have endeared him to fans worldwide, making him a true champion in every sense. As the two men finish camp in preparation to face one another, the world watches with bated breath, ready to witness the next chapter in the remarkable saga of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Will Tyson Fury bring the six belts home, or will Ukraine's great ray of hope take one step closer to all-time greatness? We find out on Saturday, May 18th.

[Lomachenko Destroys Kambosos' Liver!]

Lomachenko and George Kambosos were on a collision course for quite a while. The 135 lb division heated up progressively over the course of the last four years. Gervonta “Tank” Davis defended his WBA belt several times. Teofimo Lopez lost his Undisputed Lightweight World Championship to George Kambosos, who then lost them to Devin Haney. Power players like Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz rose through the ranks, building a fanbase strong enough to campaign for a real shot at a title again.

Kambosos fit into this category perfectly. After facing setbacks against Devin Haney and Maxi Hughes, Kambosos squeezed his way into the world championship picture by holding the IBO Lightweight World Champion. His status as champion gave him plenty of credibility. Lomachenko, similarly to Kambosos, fell short against Devin Haney. Regardless of the loss, fans still went to bat for him.

At 36 years old, many people believed that Lomachenko needed one more chance at a world championship before he aged out. With Devin Haney leaving the division up for grabs, belts could easily be snatched up. Gervonta “Tank” Davis was elevated to WBA Lightweight Super World Champion, and Lomachenko was matched up with Kambosos for the vacant IBF World Championship. Kambosos didn't perform the way that he talked.

Leading up to the fight, Kambosos elevated his trash-talking game once again. His trash talk from both Devin Haney fights and the Teofimo Lopez fight has earned him a spot amongst one of the best, but backing it up is where the boxing public is concerned. Kambosos was intent on crippling Lomachenko's defenses, outboxing him to a devastating defeat. Kambosos talked of retirement for Lomachenko, which has been a public discussion since his loss to Devin Haney. However, Kambosos was the one on the receiving end of calls to retire after the final bell sounded.

The boxing community's support of Kambosos ran dry, with many unsatisfied with the way he performed against Lomachenko last weekend. It could be argued that Lomachenko's skill eclipsed Kambosos so brutally that he wasn't able to piece an offensive plan together. There are many cases where fighters are on the hunt for a great performance, but due to a difference in skill levels, they can't find it. This year, none were as brutal as Kambosos'. He was finished by Lomachenko, sent crashing to the canvas after eating a clean body shot.

People have become very impatient with Lomachenko's current situation, all due to political differences. Gervonta “Tank” Davis has called Lomachenko out on Twitter, but the boxing public knows that this is a massive reach for both men. Bob Arum letting Lomachenko and his belt go over to PBC would be a wonderful thing for the fans, but a questionable move for Top Rank.

Potentially losing a major foothold in the lightweight division, aside from Emmanuel Navarrete and Shakur Stevenson, would hurt Top Rank's financial prospects for in-house unifications. Similarly to PBC, Top Rank has been gathering champions in the lower divisions to promote world title unifications under their banner.

135 and 140 are hot divisions, and the top promotions are looking to secure champions. Gaining access to these champions ensures that these promotions make more money off of title defenses, and vacant unifications if they become possible. Unifications in which the belt is occupied are difficult to make when two champions are on opposite ends of the street, and as discussed in last week's article, Top Rank fighters are rarely seen in co-promotions. It isn’t very often that co-promotions are made quickly, but Lomachenko could tip the scales and force Bob Arum's team to act.