As Tyson Fury gears up for his highly anticipated rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, boxing promoter Frank Warren has revealed what he believes to be the Ukrainian’s biggest weakness – a flaw that, according to Warren, Fury failed to exploit during their first encounter. The heavyweights are set to face off again in just under two weeks, and Warren believes Fury’s chances of victory hinge on his ability to target this vulnerability.
Usyk, who has been unbeaten since turning professional in 2013, has cemented himself as one of the most accomplished fighters of his era. With an Olympic gold medal in his back pocket, Usyk has gone on to dominate both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, making history as the first man to become undisputed champion in two different weight classes. However, despite his remarkable achievements and near-flawless record, Warren claims there’s a key area of Usyk’s game that Tyson Fury can exploit to take the win.
“Usyk has a weakness that Tyson did not exploit like he should have, which is his body,” Warren stated in a recent interview with TNT Sports. “And I’m telling you something, that will be rectified. Of course, Tyson needs to be more aggressive in this rematch.”
Warren’s comments reference the first fight between Usyk and Fury, which took place in May in Riyadh. The bout, which was one of the most anticipated heavyweight clashes in recent history, saw both fighters experience moments of dominance. While Fury was able to maintain his usual dominance in the early rounds, Usyk came close to securing a finish in the ninth, eventually winning by decision and becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Despite the close nature of the contest, Warren believes Fury didn’t capitalize on a clear opportunity to attack Usyk’s body – an area of his defense that has historically been vulnerable.
“In the early rounds, there were times when Tyson was backed up into the corner, and he wasn’t quite able to get away,” Warren continued. “Usyk was aggressive, but when he had Tyson in that position, he stood square on, and that’s when he started landing uppercuts. He caught him with that uppercut every time.”
Warren’s analysis points to Usyk’s tendency to leave his torso open when he stands square in the ring, a habit that could present an opening for Fury to exploit in their rematch. While Usyk’s speed, footwork, and superior boxing IQ have made him a nearly untouchable figure in the heavyweight division, his perceived weakness against body shots remains one of the few chinks in his otherwise impenetrable armor.
This vulnerability was highlighted during Usyk’s controversial defense of his titles against Daniel Dubois in 2023. In that bout, Dubois landed a powerful right hook to Usyk’s body in the fifth round, causing the Ukrainian to drop to the canvas. However, referee Luis Pabon ruled the punch a low blow, allowing Usyk to recover with five minutes of rest. Usyk later went on to win the fight by a ninth-round knockout, but the decision to call the body shot low sparked widespread debate.
Similar issues arose in Usyk’s 2022 rematch with Anthony Joshua, where the British fighter repeatedly found success with body shots that disrupted Usyk’s fluid movement and rhythm. Although Joshua struggled to capitalize on these opportunities and lost on the judges’ scorecards, Warren believes that Fury’s size and style make him better suited to exploit this flaw.
“Tyson’s got the size and the reach to land those body shots effectively,” Warren noted. “And if he makes the adjustment to his strategy, I think Usyk is in for a very tough night.”
As the two fighters prepare to clash once more, it’s clear that Fury’s camp is looking to make adjustments based on the lessons learned in their first fight. While Usyk remains a formidable opponent with exceptional skills, Fury’s ability to target the body could be the key to breaking down Usyk’s defenses and handing him his first career loss.
With the rematch fast approaching, fans are eager to see how both fighters evolve their strategies. For Usyk, the pressure will be on to avoid any tactical lapses that could expose his vulnerabilities. For Fury, it may be a matter of exploiting those very weaknesses to finally claim victory over the Ukrainian and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of his generation.
As the countdown to the rematch continues, all eyes will be on Fury’s ability to adapt and take advantage of the openings Usyk may leave behind. With Frank Warren’s guidance, Tyson Fury will enter the ring with a clearer understanding of how to handle the elusive Ukrainian and potentially hand him his first defeat.
