Tyson Fury’s training partner Moses Itauma has revealed that the former world champion has been “very different” in the build-up to his heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
After Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in May, Fury has a chance to avenge his first career loss, live. Sky Sports box office Saturday night.
Itauma, who is considered one of the brightest young prospects in the heavyweight division and fights Saturday, has attended every one of Fury’s training sessions to prepare for Usyk.
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Fury promised to knock out Alexander Usyk in their rematch on December 21 when he arrived in Saudi Arabia.
“He’s very different. His mentality has changed,” Itauma said at an arrival ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“He wasn’t the nice guy anymore, he was actually there to train.
“Usually when I trained with him (previously) in Saudi Arabia and Morecambe we would play together, bag, tour together, run together, do strength and conditioning together, but this time he just seemed to focus on doing it on his own.
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Usyk arrives for his rematch with Fury
“And he was saying, ‘I’m a lone soldier, I’m a lone wolf.’
“He’d get hit with a good shot and he’d be screaming, ‘This guy’s crazy.'” But you have to be a little crazy to be in this sport.
Itauma is adamant that Fury’s motivation for an immediate rematch is not financial, but that his compatriot is simply driven by a burning desire to avenge his loss.
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Fury talks to Sky Sports’ Andy Scott about his anticipated rematch with Usyk, his love of boxing and what advice he would give to darts sensation Luke Littler.
“I don’t think Tyson is doing it for the money. So if he’s doing it for the money, what is he doing it for?”
“Because he really wants to beat Oleksandr Usyk, and if he did it for money, he would have packed up a long time ago.
“So with that in mind, people have to keep that in mind. Tyson Fury is coming to fight and win.
“I don’t feel like he’s just going to come and fall because he might just not train. And believe me, I’ve been in training camp, he’s been training hard.”
The epic heavyweight fight between Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury will be live on Saturday, December 21st. Sky Sports box office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
