With just under two months to go until their highly anticipated rematch, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Tyson Fury went head-to-head at a launch press conference in London on Wednesday to promote their December 21 rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) won a gripping split decision (115-112, 114-113, 113-114) over Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) as the two clashed in recent times for the undisputed heavyweight title in May, a spectacle still widely considered the frontrunner for 2024’s Fight of the Year.
The theatrics were on full display during Wednesday’s media festivities, as Fury chose Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” for his walkout tune, while Usyk entered dressed as Agent 47 from the “Hitman” franchise.
But both heavyweights had little to say once the press conference got underway, with the pair even jokingly giving one-word answers at one point.
The highlight of the day came when Usyk asked Fury to autograph a photo from their first fight, which featured Usyk snapping Fury’s head back with a powerful left hand. Fury signed the photo and said: “I look like Shrek in the photo. It’s a photo of me taking a big left hand to the jaw.”
Usyk revealed afterwards that he plans to auction the photo and donate the proceeds to Ukrainian soldiers.
Fury continually exuded confidence that he will reverse the result of the rematch with a few adjustments to his game. “It’s actually been about four and a half years – [it] the (Deontay) Wilder 2 fight was the last time I was the underdog in these fights,” he said. What’s going through my head? I’m just looking forward to a fantastic fight. The last time in May it was a fantastic fight. Oleksandr won the fight fair and square. I just want to put on another great fight. Last time it was very close, he came within one point. A little more focus, a little more lack of complacency, and I should be doing the work I need to do. Nothing needs to change drastically. A little more of the same. A little more focus, as I say, and I will prevail.”
Usyk has won undisputed titles in two weight classes and has become the No. 1 fighter on many pound-for-pound lists following his win over Fury. When asked what his motivation is for the rematch, he replied: “I have no motivation. Only my regimen, only my concentration. This is my motivation, enough.”
“The way it seems, my rematch with people always ends one way,” Fury said. “I always end up knocking them out in the rematch. The one I faced more than once got knocked out in the rematch. I foresee something similar in this second fight with Usyk.”
Fury has faced three men more than once. His first fights with John McDermott, Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder all ended in decision, but Fury won by stoppage in all three rematches, as well as in his trilogy fights with Chisora and Wilder.
“All I can do is prepare well, train hard, eat right, go to bed early, get up early, do the right things, listen to the people around me and the rest is in God’s hands,” Fury said. “Last time in May it was not my time to win, otherwise the Almighty would have given me the victory. And I am very happy that Usyk got the decision because God’s timing is not too late, it is not imperfect, it is perfection.” That was the intention and we will find out what the intention will be on December 21st.
“I believe that this time it will be my time and I believe that all things that happen, negative or positive, are lessons,” Fury added. “We have to learn from the things that we go through in our lives. We can only do the best that we can do as human beings, and as boxers and as fathers and as husbands and everything else. We can only do the best that we can do.” can do as men, and what we know how to do best is go in and beat each other up in a fight and put on a show for the paying customer. I hope you enjoy this fight as much as I will .I’ll see you all on the 21st.”
