Tyson Fury is gearing up in attempt to avenge the first loss of his professional career, handed to him by Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year.
The first battle for the undisputed heavyweight crown in over two decades lived up to its billing, with Usyk starting strong but giving way to Fury’s momentum in the middle rounds.
The Ukrainian, as he has done many times before, found another level late on and scored a 10-8 round after battering the Brit around the ring. It was enough to earn him a split decision on the scorecards to become a four-belt champion in a second division.
Fury has said he took his eye off the ball, though still believes he deserved the nod on the cards, and has assured fans he will right the wrong on December 21 when they run it back in Saudi Arabia. One great boxing mind who believes him is Shakur Stevenson, three-weight world champion and defensive master.
Speaking on social media, Stevenson backed the bigger man.
“I got Fury in the rematch, whoever wanna bet some bread on it hit my line. As long as he in dog shape it’s gone be easy! … Usyk is one of the greatest I ever seen to be honest, but if Tyson Fury is in tip top shape and locked in I got him for sure.”
The second fight will not be for the undisputed championship after Usyk vacated the IBF belt. That was then given to Daniel Dubois, who defended it in emphatic fashion against Anthony Joshua – two men the Ukrainian soundly beat on his way to the history books.
