Lennox Lewis’ Advice for Tyson Fury – The Path to Victory Against Oleksandr Usyk in Their Rematch

The heavyweight boxing world is once again on edge as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk prepare for their highly anticipated rematch. This time, the stakes are higher, as both fighters look to prove themselves in a battle for supremacy. As the date draws near, Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, has offered Tyson Fury some crucial advice ahead of the fight, urging him to rethink his approach and focus on a more serious strategy if he is to get revenge on Usyk.

In May of this year, Usyk defeated Fury in a thrilling 12-round bout that ended with a unanimous decision in favor of the Ukrainian fighter. Usyk’s victory not only marked an incredible achievement for him but also positioned him as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the era of the four major belts: WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. His win was historic, as it ended a 25-year reign since Lennox Lewis himself had held the title.

However, Fury is not out of options. In their rematch, set for December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury will be looking for redemption, but Lennox Lewis believes that to succeed, Fury must take a more focused, disciplined approach to the fight. While Usyk is still considered the favorite, Fury has the tools to come out on top if he can leave behind his theatrics and distractions.

Lennox Lewis’ Advice: Fury Must Be More Serious

Lennox Lewis has been very vocal about what he saw in the first fight between Fury and Usyk. According to Lewis, Fury didn’t fully commit to the fight, and his antics and distractions in the ring played a role in his defeat. “I watched the fight very closely, and I could feel that Tyson Fury wasn’t taking the fight as seriously as he should have,” Lewis said. “He was acting like a clown, trying to provoke Usyk to make him lose focus. But the truth is, Usyk stayed calm, composed, and focused on what he had to do.”

Lewis, a veteran of the ring, believes that Fury’s playful and over-the-top behavior during the first bout didn’t help his cause. Instead, it allowed Usyk to stay in control and dictate the pace of the fight. In a fight with such high stakes, distractions can be detrimental, and Lewis stresses that Fury will need to adopt a more serious mindset if he is to overcome Usyk this time around.

“Against a champion like Usyk, Fury needs to do something different, something serious,” Lewis continued. “I think he should have been more focused, especially in the early rounds. He needs to apply pressure to Usyk rather than letting Usyk chase him around the ring.”

Fury’s larger-than-life personality is part of what makes him so appealing to fans, but Lewis points out that there is a time and place for showmanship. In the case of Usyk, Fury’s usual antics may have worked against him. Usyk is not someone who can be easily rattled or distracted, and in their first encounter, the Ukrainian fighter showed that his concentration and precision could withstand Fury’s tricks.

The Key to Victory: Focus, Pressure, and Power

For Fury to succeed in the rematch, he must leave the games behind and focus on what he does best—using his size, strength, and power. While Fury has a clear physical advantage over Usyk, it’s his ability to make use of these attributes with discipline and control that will determine the outcome. Lewis suggests that Fury must be more aggressive and impose himself on Usyk from the outset of the fight.

“Usyk is no ‘little rabbit,’ as Fury mocked him in the past,” Lewis remarked. “He’s a ‘big, ferocious rabbit’ who knows how to move effectively and strike at the right time. Fury needs to stop underestimating Usyk’s skills and start focusing on pressuring him.”

Fury has the ability to be a forceful and dominant presence in the ring, but Lewis emphasizes that he must be more focused on the task at hand. The fight is not just about strength—it’s about using that strength strategically to wear down Usyk and break his will.

Tyson Fury’s Response: Less Showmanship, More Punches

Tyson Fury has already admitted that he plans to dial down the theatrics in the rematch. Reflecting on his approach in their first fight, Fury acknowledged that his attempts to entertain and provoke Usyk may have distracted both himself and his opponent.

“Going into this rematch, I won’t be doing any clownish antics or trying to provoke Usyk,” Fury stated in a recent interview. “I’ve realized that it didn’t help in the first fight, and I got distracted myself. I’m going to focus more on landing solid punches, not just trying to make the fight fun.”

Fury has made it clear that he will bring a more straightforward approach to the rematch. “My approach in the next fight will be more about solid punches, more power, and a more serious mentality. I’m done with the tricks, and now it’s all about the punches,” Fury explained.

This shift in strategy could be the key for Fury if he’s to dethrone Usyk and reclaim the heavyweight title. Fury’s power is undeniable, and his size and reach advantage will play a crucial role in dictating the pace of the fight. If Fury can focus on landing clean, effective punches rather than trying to mess with Usyk’s mind, he could very well have the upper hand in the rematch.

The Mental Game: Fury’s Biggest Obstacle

One of the biggest challenges for Tyson Fury heading into the rematch is his mental game. While Fury is known for his unshakable confidence, Usyk has proven time and again that mental fortitude is a crucial aspect of success in the ring. Usyk’s calm and measured approach allows him to remain focused even under pressure, and that is something Fury will have to deal with in the upcoming fight.

Lennox Lewis, a master of both physical and mental preparation, believes that the key to Fury lies in his ability to control his emotions and focus on the fight, not the spectacle. If Fury can clear his mind of distractions and focus entirely on outboxing Usyk, he may have a real chance at winning.