Oleksandr Usyk sounded completely unfazed when told today that Tyson Fury has promised him “a lot of pain” and “damage” in their rematch this Saturday night.
Usik: “Okay”
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ‘Whatever,’ showing he’s not at all worried about Fury’s idle threats and intends to be the one to inflict “pain” and “damage” in their rematch in the Royal Arena in Riyadh.
After what Oleksandr did to Fury in their previous fights, it’s understandable why he doesn’t sweat his bold talk. Tyson will have to do more than talk the talk to worry two-time undisputed champion Usyk.
Does Fury need a rest?
Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) has looked like he’s been living a rough life over the past seven months since a 12-round majority decision on May 18. Mentally and physically, he doesn’t look ready for the rematch, but he’s soldiering through it. You have to respect that, but he might regret it if the outcome is worse than last time.
Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Fury appears to be pushing himself too hard and needs a long, long rest in the medical facilities. It’s one of those places where he’s been waited on hand and foot, with the best food, massages and sunlight.
He’ll obviously take a nice break after the fight, but if he loses to Usyk by knockout, he might retire. Eddie Hearn mentioned the possibility of Fury retiring if Usyk beats him, and you can’t rule that out.
“Okay,” Usyk told DAZN, reacting to being told that Tyson Fury said today that Saturday is bringing him “a lot of pain, a lot of pain, smashing and damage.”
You look good and feel good 👌
Usak’s response to Tyson Fury promising pain: “Okay. 😅#Usik2Furi | #RiadhSeason | December 21 live on DAZN | Click link in bio to purchase | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/rp5eErD8L2
— DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoking) December 18, 2024
“I thought Usyk looked really good.” I’m going for Tyson Fury. I want him to win. “I’m channeling my positivity and vibes at him,” Eddie Hearn said Stomping Groundshoping Tyson Fury beats Alexander Usyk on Saturday. “But how do you choose against Alexander Usyk? I’m doing it because I’m a patriot, but how do you fight him in this fight?
“If this fight is a classic and Fury wins, it’s very likely we’ll see a trilogy.” But you’ll also be given the chance to have AJ take on Fury for the World Heavyweight Championship, which would be absolutely huge.
“If Fury loses, he might never fight again, or he might decide to take the AJ fight,” Hearn said. “AJ has one, two, three or four fights left. Fury has one, two, three or four fights left. The same with Usik.
Post-fight scenarios
If Fury wins, Hearn may get lucky if he decides to postpone the trilogy fight with Usyk and fight Anthony Joshua next. It’s the smartest move Fury and his promoters can make because they can’t count on Joshua surviving his next fight without being defeated again.
Joshua is fed up with being put in another rebuilding situation, and he’ll fight someone good to regain his self-respect after his loss to Daniel Dubois on September 21st. That’s the problem. AJ is 35 years old, he’s not young, and his resistance to punches seems to have disappeared after a long career. So if Fury comes through with a fight with Usyk, he has to convince his promoters to face Joshua next.
“Many of those fighters are coming to an end, but hopefully not because the new crop coming in has talent.” “But the big names were a big asset to the heavyweight division and boxing as a whole,” Hearn said.
