Oleksandr Usyk has been spotted wearing ‘black straps’ on his arms during training camp for his fight against Daniel Dubois – but there’s a genuine explanation.
Usyk, 38, and Dubois, 27, are both vying to become the undisputed heavyweight champion with victory at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
The Ukrainian comes into the bout with a previous knockout win over his opponent when the pair boxed in Wroclaw, Poland back in August 2023.
But almost two years on Dubois has improved significantly while Usyk has maintained his perfect record with back-to-back wins over Tyson Fury.
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The undefeated Usyk’s training camp took place in Gandia, Spain in a barn converted from an old rental car shop.
As ever, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion has left nothing to chance and will be in peak physical condition come fight night.
BBC Sport reports that the 38-year-old has combined physical and cognitive training in a bid to win on Saturday night.
"We create the optimal psychological environment for cognitive exercise," Jakub Chycki, who is Usyk's physiologist said.
"We combine the air bike with a memory exercise. Sometimes we use lights for this task and sometimes we combine with hand-eye coordination or juggling."
Chycki told ESPN in another interview: “He is able to perform the same training loads, the same type of training, we see he's a little bit stronger, generates more power.
"The aerobic capacity is on the same level. So, in my opinion we don't see the symptoms of aging now. So, it's a good prognostic for the next fight."
And like in previous training camps, Usyk has been spotted with black bands wrapped around his upper arms which have left fans confused as to the reason why in the past.
But there’s a scientific explanation.
According to talkSPORT, the straps restrict blood flow to Usyk’s arms, which, as a result, contribute to improved muscle mass.
The official name for the straps is ‘pneumatic restriction cuffs’, and by restricting the blood flow/oxygen to the muscle, they tire quicker.
The method then makes the muscles temporarily stronger as blood builds in the arms, causing them to swell.
Swelling can then lead to the muscle gaining mass and strength.
Boxing Science refers to the method as one that can also “minimise joint stress whilst providing a potent stimulus for hypertrophy and strength development”.
The technique can also be used to help weight gain for those moving up the divisions or even as a tool to aid rehabilitation from injury.
“BFR [blood flow restriction] training enables us to do this without having to use high volumes and minimises the risk of causing further injury to the afflicted limb,” read the site's report.
How to watch the fight on DAZN
The big fight will be live streamed exclusively on DAZN, where PPV costs £24.99. Here's how to watch DAZN on the telly to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action:
- Smart TV app: Download the DAZN app from your TV’s app store, then sign in to start watching.
- Streaming devices: You can use Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick to stream the fight. Simply install the DAZN app, log in, and start streaming.
- Gaming consoles: You can access the DAZN app on an Xbox or Playstation too. All you need to do is log into your account and start watching.
- Casting: You can also use Chromecast or Apple AirPlay to cast DAZN from your smartphone or tablet to your TV.
Topics: Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing, Oleksandr Usyk
Luke Davies