It is just days until Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk clash in their huge rematch in Riyadh.
The heavyweight stars first met in May of this year, as Usyk outpointed ‘The Gypsy King’ in a split decision victory that many fans and critics alike felt could have gone either way. A strong start from Fury was eventually outweighed by an electric finish from the Ukrainian icon who was seconds away from claiming a stoppage at the end of the ninth round.
The immediate reaction at ringside following the final bell was mixed, with many of those in attendance torn on who they thought would have their hand raised and become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the ‘four belt era’.
A keen observer of next weekends mega fight is former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who has been heavily linked with an all-British showdown with Fury despite that shock defeat to IBF heavyweight king Daniel Dubois in September.
Speaking to iFL TV, ‘AJ’ gave his reaction to the first encounter as he says he knew Usyk would be victorious.
“I said Usyk will win, I said that from 2023. I do think Fury’s a good fighter, but there’s levels. A cruiserweight nearly knocked him out!”
Joshua was then asked if he thought Fury could avenge his only career defeat in the rematch and gave an emphatic response.
“Me personally.. What I think.. Nah, no way! I just don’t think he can do it.”
Former unified heavyweight champion Joshua looks set to return to the ring in 2025, with an opponent still unconfirmed. It has been reported that the Olympic champion is keen on avenging that shock knockout defeat to Dubois, who defends his IBF title against Joseph Parker on February 22.
