Heavyweight foes Usyk, Fury set for titanic rematch

AFP | Riyadh

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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury reprise their heavyweight “fight of the century” yesterday with multiple titles and both fighters’ place in history on the line.

Usyk edged a split decision at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena in May, handing Fury his sole defeat and becoming the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era.

The unbeaten Ukrainian has exuded his trademark calm before the rematch while the newly bearded Fury, aching for revenge, has veered between moody silence and venomous threats.

Usyk, 37, and his 36-yearold rival were locked in an incredible 11-minute face-off on Thursday that ended with the sweating Fury cursing and hurling insults.

Much like their absorbing duel seven months ago, the first heavyweight unification bout in 25 years, yesterday’s return to the 22,000-seat venue is difficult to call.

Usyk, formerly an outstanding amateur and an Olympic champion, is 22-0 including 14 knock-outs and was undisputed cruiserweight champion before uniting the heavyweight belts within six fights.

The intelligent, mobile southpaw throws his array of shots with unerring accuracy, while supreme fitness makes him notoriously dangerous in the closing rounds.

Although the scoring was tight in May, he had Fury in serious trouble in the ninth when the buckling Briton took a standing eight count before being saved by the bell.

“Gypsy King” Fury, however, is a natural boxer with the instinctive ring smarts of a man who hails from generations of bare-knuckle champions.

The 6ft 9ins (206cm) Lancastrian comes in at 281 pounds (127.4kg) fully clothed, the heaviest of his career, indicating intent to dominate a man who is six inches shorter and 55 pounds lighter.

Fury also boasts a strong record in rematches, after prevailing convincingly in his trilogies against Derek Chisora and Derek Chisora.