“TYSON FURY HAS WHAT ANTHONY JOSHUA LACKS!” — Usyk Explains the Unique Quality That Could Define Joshua’s Biggest Challenge
Oleksandr Usyk is in a rare position to discuss Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury because he has shared the ring with both heavyweight stars.
The Ukrainian defeated Joshua twice, first by unanimous decision in 2021 before repeating the result in their 2022 rematch. He later faced Fury twice, beating him by split decision in May 2024 before securing another victory by unanimous decision in their December rematch.
Because of that experience, Usyk has a unique understanding of the differences between the two British heavyweights.
When comparing them, Usyk previously described Joshua as a technically polished and “classy” boxer, while Fury presented an entirely different challenge because of his size, movement, rhythm and unpredictability.
Those differences could become extremely important if Joshua eventually faces Fury.
Usyk Has Experienced Both Fighters Firsthand
Usyk’s opinion carries particular significance because his observations are based on actual fights rather than simply watching the two men from outside the ring.
Against Joshua, Usyk relied heavily on movement, timing, distance control and combinations. Those qualities helped him neutralize Joshua’s physical advantages during their two encounters.
Their first meeting took place in London in September 2021, when Usyk defeated Joshua and captured the unified heavyweight championship. The Ukrainian then repeated the achievement in Saudi Arabia the following year.
Fury presented a different problem.
When Usyk faced Fury in May 2024, he was dealing with a considerably larger opponent who combined height, reach, mobility and defensive awareness.
Fury enjoyed periods of success, especially during the opening and middle portions of the fight. His physical dimensions created problems that were different from those Joshua presented.
However, Usyk gradually adjusted.
The ninth round became one of the biggest moments of the contest when Usyk hurt Fury and came close to forcing a stoppage. Fury survived and the fight eventually went to the judges, who awarded Usyk a split-decision victory.
Seven months later, the two heavyweights met again.
This time, Usyk delivered a more controlled performance and won the rematch unanimously.
The result was remarkable: the same fighter had defeated both Joshua and Fury twice.
Joshua’s “Classy Boxing” Compared With Fury’s Unpredictability
Usyk has previously made an interesting distinction between his two British opponents.
He viewed Joshua as a technically refined heavyweight with a strong jab, powerful straight right hand, combinations and considerable physical strength.
Fury, however, operates differently.
His enormous 6-foot-9 frame does not make him predictable. Instead, he can use his height and reach in several different ways.
He can box from distance, lean on opponents, alter his rhythm, use feints, move his upper body and create uncomfortable exchanges.
Fury can also switch between boxing cautiously and applying pressure aggressively.
At times, he can make a fight messy and difficult to read before suddenly changing the pace.
That versatility was one of the reasons Usyk had to approach Fury differently from Joshua.
The Quality Joshua Cannot Simply Copy
The most important difference may not be punching power.
Instead, it could be Fury’s ability to create uncertainty.
Usyk has previously pointed to Fury’s boxing intelligence and defensive qualities as some of the strongest aspects of his game.
That creates an important tactical question for Joshua: can he prevent Fury from making the fight unpredictable?
Joshua does not need to fight like Fury or copy Usyk completely.
Instead, he may need to ensure that Fury cannot control the conditions of the contest.
A disciplined jab, careful distance management, avoiding unnecessary exchanges and refusing to chase Fury could all become important.
Fury’s unusual style can make opponents impatient. His relaxed posture and awkward movements can encourage fighters to force attacks rather than wait for the right opportunity.
Usyk showed patience against him.
Even when Fury appeared to be controlling parts of their fights, Usyk stayed composed, studied what was happening and looked for patterns.
Eventually, he found ways to exploit them.
What Usyk’s Two Victories Over Fury Demonstrated
The first Usyk-Fury fight showed just how complicated Fury can be.
Fury possessed a major size and reach advantage, allowing him to operate from long range while using his movement to make himself difficult to hit cleanly.
He also attacked Usyk’s body and attempted to interrupt his rhythm.
For periods of the fight, Fury looked comfortable.
But Usyk continued adjusting.
As the contest progressed, the Ukrainian found more opportunities, particularly when he could close the distance and land combinations before Fury had time to reset.
The ninth round changed the fight dramatically.
Usyk hurt Fury badly enough for the referee to administer a count. Fury survived, but the sequence demonstrated that his size and experience did not make him immune to sustained technical pressure.
Usyk eventually won the fight on the judges’ scorecards.
The rematch was another tactical battle, but Usyk appeared more comfortable dealing with Fury’s different approaches.
Rather than relying on reckless aggression, he continued using movement, positioning and accuracy.
The result was another victory.
Two fights against Fury produced two different tactical challenges—and two victories for Usyk.
That history could provide Joshua with valuable information.
What Joshua Can Learn From Usyk’s Experience
Joshua has previously worked with members of Usyk’s training team, which adds another interesting element to the potential Fury matchup.
However, Joshua cannot simply copy Usyk’s strategy.
The two fighters have different physical characteristics and completely different styles.
Usyk is a southpaw who relies heavily on speed, footwork and lateral movement.
Joshua is a naturally larger heavyweight with a different stance, combination punching and approach to distance.
Still, there are lessons Joshua could take from Usyk’s experience.
One of the biggest could be the importance of preventing Fury from controlling the pace.
Fury is comfortable when fights become complicated. He can force opponents to work, create awkward exchanges, use his size to smother attacks and turn a technical contest into a physical battle.
Joshua’s challenge will be maintaining his structure whenever Fury attempts to disrupt it.
Fury’s Biggest Advantage May Be More Than His Size
Fury is often discussed primarily in terms of his height and physical strength.
Those advantages are obvious.
But Usyk’s observations suggest that some of Fury’s most difficult qualities are more subtle.
His boxing intelligence, defensive instincts, reach and ability to change rhythm force opponents to constantly adjust their calculations.
That could be particularly important against Joshua.
Joshua possesses significant punching power, but finding a clean target against Fury could be much more difficult than doing so against a more conventional heavyweight.
Fury has several ways of reducing an opponent’s attacking opportunities.
He can maintain distance, lean on an opponent, move around, clinch and change his rhythm.
His long arms can also interfere with an opponent’s combinations.
As a result, a Joshua-Fury fight could become a battle of tactical adjustments as much as a contest of raw power.
The Main Lesson From Usyk
If there is one major lesson Joshua can take from Usyk’s two victories, it is patience.
Usyk did not try to solve Fury with one massive exchange.
Instead, he spent rounds gathering information.
He studied Fury’s reactions, changed angles, tested different approaches and attacked when opportunities appeared.
Whenever Fury changed his tactics, Usyk responded.
That could be especially important because Fury has shown throughout his career that he can make opponents abandon their original plans.
Against a fighter of Fury’s size and versatility, emotional control could be just as important as physical preparation.
Joshua may therefore need to resist the temptation to rush forward simply because a chance to land a big punch appears.
A calculated attack can sometimes be more effective than an aggressive one made out of frustration.
The Fight Has Not Yet Been Officially Finalized
While the tactical discussion continues, negotiations surrounding the proposed Joshua-Fury fight have also been developing.
As of September 21, 2026, Reuters reported that Fury and Joshua were being lined up for a potential December fight in Cardiff, with December 11 reportedly being considered as a target date.
However, the date and final arrangements had not yet been officially confirmed.
Principality Stadium has been proposed as the venue. The stadium can hold roughly 73,931 spectators and features a retractable roof.
Scheduling could also be influenced by the desired U.S. broadcast window, with a possible start time around 1 a.m. in the UK corresponding to approximately 8 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States.
Fury’s manager Spencer Brown has publicly expressed confidence that the contest will take place, while negotiations between the relevant parties continue.
For now, fans are waiting for an official announcement.
Fury and Joshua Have Been Linked for Years
The rivalry between Fury and Joshua has been discussed for more than a decade.
Both became major names in British heavyweight boxing, but their careers repeatedly went in different directions.
There were several moments when negotiations appeared close to producing the fight.
Then circumstances changed.
Championship belts changed hands, promotional situations developed, venues became obstacles and other opponents entered the picture.
Yet the potential matchup continued to survive.
Fury has repeatedly spoken about Joshua as one of the biggest fights available to him.
Earlier in 2026, Fury said that a Joshua fight remained the biggest boxing contest for him and expressed his desire to make it happen.
That makes the current negotiations particularly significant.
What was once largely considered a dream matchup is now reportedly being discussed around a potential December date.
Usyk Adds Another Layer to the Story
Usyk’s involvement makes the situation even more interesting.
At one point, when uncertainty surrounded the Joshua negotiations, Fury called for another fight with Usyk.
Fury questioned whether the Joshua contest would actually happen and challenged Usyk to meet him again.
Usyk’s team subsequently rejected the idea of Fury using Usyk as a replacement opponent while negotiations with Joshua remained unresolved.
The situation highlights just how unusual the heavyweight landscape has become.
Usyk has already defeated both Joshua and Fury twice.
Now Joshua could potentially prepare for Fury while drawing on information from the man who has already faced him four times.
That makes Usyk an especially interesting source of insight for Joshua’s preparation.
Joshua’s Biggest Challenge
Joshua does not need to prove that he possesses punching power. His career has already demonstrated that.
He also does not need to prove that he can box.
Even Usyk has previously recognized Joshua’s technical ability.
The bigger question is whether Joshua can maintain those qualities when Fury begins changing the conditions of the fight.
That could become the central tactical battle.
Joshua will want structure and clean combinations.
Fury will likely attempt to create discomfort and unpredictability.
Joshua will want to establish his preferred distance, while Fury’s height and reach give him several ways to interfere with that distance.
And because both are heavyweight punchers, one mistake could dramatically change the contest.
A Clash of Two Very Different Heavyweights
That contrast is what makes a potential Joshua-Fury fight so intriguing.
It would not simply be a meeting between two famous British heavyweights.
It would be a clash between two different approaches to the sport.
Joshua brings explosive combinations, physical strength and technical discipline.
Fury brings height, reach, movement, awkwardness and the ability to change the character of a fight.
Usyk has experienced both styles.
He defeated Joshua twice and Fury twice.
His comparisons therefore provide an interesting way to understand the challenge Joshua could face.
However, Usyk’s success does not mean Joshua has a guaranteed formula for defeating Fury.
Joshua would still have to adapt those lessons to his own style.
What Usyk’s victories demonstrate is that Fury’s physical advantages can be challenged through intelligent movement, timing, patience and continuous tactical adjustments.
The Question Ahead of December
If the proposed Cardiff fight is eventually finalized, Joshua will enter knowing exactly what is at stake.
Fury will bring his own experience, history and confidence into the contest.
Both men are already familiar with each other’s strengths.
And somewhere in the background will be Usyk—the fighter who has already solved the Fury puzzle twice.
Usyk’s comparison between Joshua and Fury was made before this potential fight became such an immediate possibility, but his comments now appear particularly relevant.
Fury’s greatest weapon may not simply be his size.
Joshua’s biggest asset may not simply be his power.
The fight could ultimately depend on which man is able to impose his preferred rhythm for the longest period.
For Joshua, the lesson from Usyk is straightforward: he must avoid allowing Fury’s size, movement and unpredictability to control the contest.
For Fury, the challenge will be demonstrating that his two defeats to Usyk do not determine how he will perform against Joshua.
For boxing fans, the wait continues.
If the reported December Cardiff date is officially confirmed, one of British boxing’s longest-running heavyweight rivalries could finally move from years of speculation to an actual fight.
Usyk already knows what it is like to stand across the ring from Fury.
Now Joshua could have the chance to find out for himself.
