New theory by boxing mentor suggests Tyson Fury was closer to beating Oleksandr Usyk than it seemed

A veteran boxing personality has chimed in on Tyson Fury's first fight against Oleksandr Usyk. The trainer indicated that there were moments when Fury beat 'The Cat' and could've proceeded to secure the victory.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, boxing coach Dominic Ingle implied that the lighter and smaller Usyk utilized the right strategy by pressuring the bigger Fury to expend energy. The Sheffield-based Ingle believes Fury possesses the requisite abilities to counter Usyk and could've calmly staved off the pressure.

Ingle asserted that Fury "shouldn't have been out on his feet against Usyk." He feels the gigantic Briton could've used his height and reach to keep the smaller Usyk on the outside and win the fight.

Moreover, he alluded that 'The Gypsy King' did find success with landing beautiful combinations in the middle rounds and could've upped the ante to defeat his Ukrainian adversary. Ingle attributed Tyson Fury's eventual struggles and loss in the matchup to his supposed lack of fitness. He theorized:

"For me, that fight, Tyson just wasn't fit enough because for the rounds when he did get on the top side of Usyk, and there were about two or three rounds mid-fight where he had Usyk looking in trouble. It's just a case of sustaining that for the rest of the fight. And he couldn't do it, so that means he's just not fit enough." [33:00]

Ingle added:

"Tyson Fury, in my opinion, I still say even though he got beat, he shouldn't have got beat by Usyk; should not have got beat by him. Because, Tyson Fury at his best, and I don't think he were at his best, would beat Usyk. So, for me, he just wasn't fit enough; just, he wasn't fit enough." [34:22]

Watch Ingle's assessment below (32:00-39:25):

---

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: Dominic Ingle's advice for 'The Gypsy King' ahead of rematch with 'The Cat'

Back in May 2024, then-WBC and consensus lineal heavyweight champion Fury faced then-WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Usyk to crown boxing's first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000. The back-and-forth fight witnessed Ukraine's Usyk almost knock the U.K.'s Fury out in round nine. 'The Gypsy King' survived but was outpointed.

Usyk bagged the aforementioned titles via split decision and was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion. He eventually vacated the IBF title and is no longer the undisputed champion. Regardless, his highly-anticipated rematch against Fury is expected to transpire on Dec. 21, 2024.

During his aforementioned conversation with Boxing King Media, Dominic Ingle opined that though Fury (36) has got the age advantage, Usyk (37) leads a more disciplined lifestyle off-camp and tremendously benefits from it come fight night.

Having coached the likes of 'Prince' Naseem Hamed and Kell Brook, he advised Tyson Fury to be fitter for the rematch. He believes the ex-heavyweight kingpin should keep Oleksandr Usyk at the end of his jab, land a few good shots if the smaller fighter gets inside, and then go back to the long jab and peppering him with long-range shots:

"I'll say we get super fit. I'm going to make sure that you don't get past the end of me jab. That's what you're going to do. It's not rocket science ... Be fitter than that man because Tyson's younger." [37:23]