Oleksandr Usyk sounded completely unfazed as he revealed today that Tyson Fury had promised “A lot of pain” and “damage” for him in their rematch this Saturday night.
Unsick: “OK”
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ‘Whatever,’ showing he’s not at all worried about Fury’s passive threats and intends to be the one to causing “pain” and “damage” in their rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
After what Oleksandr did to Fury in their previous fights, it’s understandable why he doesn’t sweat it over his bold talk. Tyson will have to do more than talk to trouble two-time undisputed champion Usyk.
Does Fury need a rest?
Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) looks like he’s had a tough life in the last seven months since his 12-round majority decision on May 18. Mentally and physically he doesn’t look ready for the rematch, but he’s a trooper going through with it. You have to respect that, but he may regret it if the outcome is worse than the last time.
Former WBC heavyweight champion Fury appears to be pushing himself too hard and needs a long, long rest in the sanatoriums. It is one of those places where he has been waited on hand and foot, given the best food, massage and sunlight.
He will of course have a nice holiday after the fight, but if he loses to Usyk by knockout, he may retire. Eddie Hearn mentioned the possibility of Fury retiring if Usyk beats him, and you can’t rule that out.
“Ok,” Usyk told DAZN, reacting to being told that Tyson Fury said today that he brings “a lot of pain, a lot of cuts and bruises and damage” to him on Saturday.
Looking good and feeling good 👌
Usyk’s response to Tyson Fury promising pain: “OK.” 😅#Unsy2Fury | #Riyadh Season | December 21, live on DAZN | Click the link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/rp5eErD8L2
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) 18 December 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 to him,” Eddie Hearn told Stomping Grounds hoping Tyson Fury defeats Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday. “But how do you pick against Oleksandr Usyk? I do because I’m patriotic, but how do you pick against 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 presented with the chance of AJ fighting 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. Same with Usyk.
Post-match scenarios
If Fury wins, Hearn could be lucky if he chooses to postpone the trilogy fight with Usyk and take on 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 beaten again.
Tired of being put in another rebuilding situation, Joshua will go and take on someone good to regain his self-respect after losing to Daniel Dubois on September 21st. That’s the problem. AJ is 35, not young, and his striking resistance seems to be gone after a long career. So if Fury comes through his fight with Usyk with a win, he needs to persuade his promoters to face Joshua next.
“A lot of those fighters are nearing the end, but hopefully not because the new crop coming through has talent. But the established names up there have been a huge asset to the heavyweight division and boxing in general,” Hearn said.
