He shared the ring with Anthony Joshua twice, defeating him by unanimous decision in 2021 before producing another points victory in their 2022 rematch. Two years later, Usyk faced Tyson Fury twice, winning the first fight by split decision in May 2024 before beating Fury again by unanimous decision in their December rematch.

That record gives Usyk a unique perspective heading into the potential Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight.

And one of his most revealing comparisons between the two fighters focused on something that goes beyond raw punching power.

Usyk described Joshua as a fighter with “classy boxing”, while portraying Fury as a completely different type of opponent whose physical dimensions, movement, rhythm and unpredictability create a different tactical problem.

That distinction could become extremely important if Joshua finally gets his opportunity against Fury.

Usyk Has Already Solved Both Heavyweights

There is a reason Usyk’s opinion carries so much weight whenever Joshua and Fury are discussed.

The Ukrainian did not merely study either fighter from outside the ring.

He fought both.

Against Joshua, Usyk used movement, timing, distance management and combination punching to neutralize one of the most physically gifted heavyweights of his generation.

Their first meeting in London in September 2021 ended with Usyk winning the unified heavyweight championship. One year later, the Ukrainian repeated the achievement in Saudi Arabia, winning their rematch and retaining his titles.

Then came Fury.

In May 2024, Usyk faced a much larger opponent with an unusual combination of size, reach, mobility and defensive instincts.

Fury was able to make the fight extremely competitive, particularly during the early and middle rounds. His height and reach created problems that were different from those presented by Joshua.

But Usyk gradually changed the momentum.

A dramatic ninth round became one of the defining moments of the fight, with Usyk hurting Fury and coming close to forcing a stoppage before the final bell.

The Ukrainian ultimately won by split decision.

Seven months later, the two met again.

This time Usyk produced a more controlled performance and won the rematch by unanimous decision.

The result was clear.

Fury had been beaten twice by the same fighter who had already beaten Joshua twice.

That makes Usyk’s observations about their contrasting characteristics particularly relevant as Joshua prepares for the biggest domestic heavyweight fight of his career.

“Classy Boxing” vs. the Fury Problem

Usyk previously offered a memorable description of Joshua and Fury when discussing the differences between his two British opponents.

He described Joshua as having “classy boxing” and used a colorful metaphor to describe Fury’s personality and fighting style.

The comparison highlighted something important.

Joshua’s game is relatively easy to identify at a fundamental level.

He is a technically polished heavyweight with a powerful jab, straight right hand, strong combinations and considerable physical strength.

Fury is different.

His enormous frame does not automatically make him predictable.

At 6-foot-9, Fury can fight from range, lean on opponents, switch rhythm, use feints, move his upper body and create awkward exchanges.

He can box behind his jab.

He can fight aggressively.

He can make a fight ugly.

And he can change the tempo when an opponent begins to find a rhythm.

That versatility was one of the major reasons Usyk had to approach Fury differently from Joshua.

The Trait Joshua Cannot Simply Copy

The most interesting part of Usyk’s comparison is not necessarily about who punches harder.

It is about how Fury creates uncertainty.

Usyk has previously identified Fury’s boxing intelligence and defensive ability among the strongest aspects of the British heavyweight’s game. His assessment was significant because Usyk had personally experienced those qualities inside the ring.

That creates a fascinating tactical question for Joshua.

Can Joshua force Fury into a fight where the taller man’s unpredictability becomes less valuable?

The answer may depend on discipline.

Joshua does not need to become Fury.

He needs to prevent Fury from dictating the terms of the fight.

That could mean maintaining a disciplined jab, controlling distance, avoiding unnecessary exchanges and refusing to chase Fury when the British heavyweight attempts to disrupt the rhythm.

The temptation against Fury will be obvious.

Because Fury is so large and sometimes fights with a relaxed or unorthodox posture, an opponent can become impatient.

That impatience can create openings for Fury.

Usyk demonstrated the opposite approach.

He remained composed even when Fury appeared to be controlling portions of the fight.

Instead of panicking, Usyk continued searching for patterns.

Eventually, he found them.

What Usyk’s Two Fury Wins Really Showed

The first Usyk-Fury fight provided perhaps the clearest evidence of why Fury is so difficult to solve.

Fury’s size advantage was enormous.

His reach allowed him to operate at long range, while his movement made him much harder to hit cleanly than his physical dimensions might suggest.

He also showed the ability to attack Usyk’s body and disrupt the Ukrainian’s preferred rhythm.

For stretches of the contest, Fury appeared comfortable.

But Usyk continued making adjustments.

The Ukrainian began finding greater success as the fight progressed, particularly when he was able to close distance and land combinations before Fury could reset.

The ninth round changed the complexion of the fight.

Usyk hurt Fury badly and forced the referee to administer a count.

Fury survived, but the moment demonstrated that his size and experience did not make him immune to sustained technical pressure.

The judges eventually gave Usyk the victory.

The rematch produced another tactical battle, but Usyk appeared more comfortable handling Fury’s different phases.

He did not need to overwhelm Fury with reckless aggression.

Instead, he continued to use his movement, positioning and accuracy.

The result was another victory.

Two fights. Two different tactical challenges. Two Usyk victories.

For Joshua, that history provides an enormous amount of information.

Why Joshua Could Study Fury Through Usyk’s Experience

Joshua has already worked with members of Usyk’s training team, adding another layer to the story surrounding the potential Fury fight.

That relationship does not mean Joshua will simply copy the Ukrainian’s game plan.

The two fighters have completely different physical profiles and fighting styles.

Usyk is a southpaw with exceptional footwork, speed and constant lateral movement.

Joshua is a naturally larger heavyweight with a different stance, different combinations and a different approach to distance.

But Joshua can still learn from what Usyk discovered.

The biggest lesson may be the importance of not allowing Fury to control the pace of the fight.

Fury has repeatedly demonstrated that he is comfortable in complicated fights.

He can make opponents work.

He can create awkward exchanges.

He can use his size to smother attacks.

And he can turn a technical contest into a physical battle.

Joshua’s challenge will be maintaining his own structure when Fury attempts to disrupt it.

Fury’s Greatest Advantage May Not Be His Power

The public conversation surrounding Fury often focuses on his height and physical strength.

Those qualities are obvious.

But Usyk’s previous comments suggest that Fury’s most difficult qualities are more sophisticated.

His boxing IQ, defensive instincts, reach and ability to change rhythm can force an opponent to constantly make new calculations.

That is particularly important against Joshua.

Joshua possesses serious punching power, but landing that power cleanly against Fury could be a completely different challenge from landing it against a conventional heavyweight.

Fury’s size gives him several ways to reduce the effectiveness of an opponent’s attack.

He can stay outside.

He can lean.

He can move.

He can clinch.

He can change stance and rhythm.

He can also use his long arms to interfere with an opponent’s offensive sequences.

That is why a Joshua-Fury fight could become as much a battle of adjustments as a battle of power.

The “Key” Usyk Demonstrated Against Fury

If there is one broad lesson Joshua can take from Usyk’s two victories, it is patience under pressure.

Usyk did not attempt to solve Fury in one exchange.

He spent rounds collecting information.

He tested Fury’s reactions.

He changed angles.

He attacked when openings appeared.

And when Fury changed his approach, Usyk adjusted.

That is particularly relevant because Fury has previously shown that he can make opponents abandon their original game plan.

Against a fighter of Fury’s size, emotional discipline can become almost as important as physical preparation.

Joshua will have to resist the temptation to force the fight simply because the opportunity to land a huge punch appears.

A controlled attack can be more dangerous than a desperate one.

Why This Fight Is Still Not Officially Final

The tactical story is developing at the same time as the business side of the fight continues to move.

As of September 21, 2026, Reuters reported that Fury and Joshua are being lined up for a December fight in Cardiff, with December 11 identified as the tentative target date. However, the date and final arrangements had not yet been formally confirmed.

The proposed venue is Principality Stadium, which can accommodate approximately 73,931 spectators and has a retractable roof.

The location could also help solve a scheduling problem created by the expected U.S. broadcast window.

According to the Reuters report, a potential compromise would see the event begin around 1 a.m. UK time, or 8 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States.

Fury’s manager Spencer Brown has also publicly expressed confidence that the fight will happen, while negotiations have continued between the various parties involved.

That means the heavyweight world is now waiting for the final announcement.

Fury Has Wanted Joshua for Years

The rivalry between Fury and Joshua has existed for more than a decade.

Both fighters became major figures in British heavyweight boxing, yet their careers repeatedly moved in different directions.

At different points, negotiations appeared close.

Then circumstances changed.

Titles changed hands.

Promoters changed.

Venues became obstacles.

Other opponents entered the picture.

But the matchup survived.

Fury himself has repeatedly described Joshua as one of the biggest fights available to him.

Earlier in 2026, Fury said the Joshua fight remained the biggest fight in boxing for him and expressed a desire to make the matchup happen.

That makes the current negotiations particularly significant.

This is no longer simply a hypothetical dream fight.

It is now a matchup reportedly moving toward a potential December date.

The Usyk Factor Makes Everything More Interesting

There is another reason Usyk’s comments matter.

Fury recently called for another fight with Usyk during a period when negotiations with Joshua appeared uncertain.

Fury publicly questioned whether the Joshua fight would happen and challenged Usyk to meet him again.

Usyk’s team subsequently rejected the idea of Fury using Usyk as a replacement opponent while the Joshua negotiations remained unresolved.

That episode adds another layer to the story.

Usyk has already defeated both men.

Now Joshua is preparing for the opponent Usyk knows particularly well.

That creates an unusual situation in heavyweight boxing.

The man who solved Fury twice may indirectly become one of the most important sources of information for Joshua’s preparation.

Joshua’s Real Challenge

Joshua does not need to prove that he can punch.

He has already demonstrated that throughout his career.

He does not need to prove that he can box.

Usyk himself previously acknowledged Joshua’s technical qualities.

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 wants structure.

Fury thrives when a fight becomes unpredictable.

Joshua wants clean combinations.

Fury wants to make opponents uncomfortable.

Joshua wants to establish distance.

Fury’s height and reach give him tools to disrupt that distance.

And both men know that one mistake at heavyweight can completely change the fight.

A British Heavyweight Collision Built on Contrasting Styles

That is what makes Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury so compelling.

It is not simply a fight between two famous British heavyweights.

It is a clash between two different approaches to heavyweight boxing.

Joshua brings explosive combinations, physical strength and disciplined technical boxing.

Fury brings size, reach, movement, awkwardness and an ability to change the shape of a fight.

Usyk has experienced both styles.

He beat Joshua twice.

He beat Fury twice.

And his comparison of the two fighters provides an intriguing blueprint for understanding what Joshua could face.

But there is an important distinction.

Usyk’s success against Fury does not automatically provide Joshua with a guaranteed formula for victory.

Joshua must still adapt the lessons to his own style.

The Ukrainian’s victories simply demonstrate that Fury’s physical advantages can be neutralized through intelligent movement, timing, patience and sustained tactical adjustments.

The Final Question Heading Into December

If the proposed Cardiff fight is finalized, Joshua will enter the ring knowing exactly what is at stake.

Fury will enter with his own history of success, experience and confidence.

Neither fighter will need to be introduced to the other’s strengths.

And somewhere in the background will be the man who has already solved the puzzle twice.

Oleksandr Usyk.

His message about the difference between Joshua and Fury was made before this fight became the immediate reality it is today.

But the timing makes the old comparison feel remarkably relevant.

Fury’s greatest weapon may not simply be his size.

Joshua’s greatest asset may not simply be his power.

The decisive factor could ultimately be which fighter manages to impose his preferred rhythm for the longest period.

For Joshua, the lesson from Usyk is clear in principle: do not allow Fury’s size, movement or unpredictability to dictate the fight.

For Fury, the task will be equally demanding: prove that the two defeats to Usyk do not define how he performs against Joshua.

And for boxing fans, the wait continues.

If the final agreements are completed and the reported December Cardiff date becomes official, one of the longest-running rivalries in British boxing will finally move from years of speculation to an actual heavyweight showdown.

Usyk already knows what Fury feels like across the ring.

Now Joshua will have the opportunity to discover it for himself.