Tyson Fury may not have won his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, but he now knows the keys to victory in their rematch, promoter Frank Warren says.
After losing to Usyk in an undisputed world heavyweight title fight earlier this year, Fury will rematch the Ukrainian live on December 21st. Sky Sports box office.
Usyk, the undefeated, unified WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion of the world, shone in his first bout with Fury, shocking the Briton so hard in the ninth round that he was knocked out.
But Fury has also had plenty of success in the earlier fight, and Warren, who competes alongside the former world champion, believes the overall contest took more of a toll on Usyk.
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Usyk and Fury star in epic trailer ahead of their rematch
“I do (think it hurt Usyk) in that particular fight,” Warren said. Sky Sports. “Then I went to the locker room of both fighters. I was in Tyson’s locker room and obviously he felt he had done enough to win the fight. It was a close fight.
“He had a lot of life in him and I went into the dressing room to congratulate Alexander and he knew he was in for a tough fight…
“At the time they were worried he had broken his jaw. His manager told me that the implanted tooth was absorbed into his gum. It was a tough fight for both of them. Fight at a high tempo, lots of punches thrown. it was a tough, tough fight.
“It was a close, brilliant fight.”
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Johnny Nelson examines Fury’s mindset ahead of his December 21 rematch with Usyk.
Warren believes Usyk will have to box the same way he did before “but better” to win, but recognizes that Fury may change his approach for the second fight.
“He (Fury) knows what to do. He knows better than me, anybody,” Warren said. “He’s been in the ring with him. He’s seen the guy’s strengths and weaknesses.
“They shared that ring. They shared that incredible well. They both knew each other’s weaknesses and could exploit them.
“Who would have that to do, and for me, in my heart, and I like to think what I know about sports, I think he would use it.
“I think Tyson has to use his physical attributes, which are his height, his punch and his punching power, there’s no doubt about that, so he has to use those attributes.”
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Fury insists he can’t do better in a rematch with Usyk, but admits he will stop his “clowns”.
Warren believes Fury can take matters into his own hands and actually knock Usyk out.
“I thought he was close to doing it in the seventh round. He caught him a couple of times, but certainly in the seventh round. I believe he has what it takes,” the promoter said.
“I’ve seen Usyk get hurt in his two previous fights with body shots, and Tyson with uppercuts. He can get hurt.”
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Watch Usyk vs Fury 2 live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday 21 December
Winning, especially in that fashion, would make Fury “a world legend and certainly a British legend”.
“He’s a British legend at what he does. He’s a phenomenal fighter,” Warren continued.
“He’s been in some tough, grueling fights and he’s shown what he’s got in terms of ticks. This fight is going to be the same because Usyk isn’t coming to make up the numbers, that’s for sure.
“Tyson knows what he has to do, can he do it? I believe he can.”
Don’t miss Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II live Sky Sports box office on December 21.
