Tyson Fury is determined to make adjustments as he prepares for his highly anticipated rematch against Oleksandr Usyk this Saturday night. After suffering the first defeat of his professional career in May, Fury remains resolute and focused on redemption. Reflecting on his loss, he emphasizes his resilience and determination, qualities that have defined his career. “If I get knocked down nine times, I’ll get up 10,” he says. “This is my job, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
In their first meeting, Usyk secured a split decision victory after a dramatic ninth round where he hurt Fury and came close to stopping the fight. Despite this, Fury believes he was in control for much of the bout and is adamant that his performance was among his best in recent years. “I boxed unbelievable,” he asserts. “It was probably my best performance in five years. Before that ninth round, I was landing at will head, body, uppercuts. I thought Usyk did well too. That’s the best I’ve ever seen him box.”
One of Fury’s main regrets from the first fight is his tendency to showboat, a habit that may have cost him crucial moments. “I need to be more focused this time and not do as much clowning around,” he admits. “It was easy for me, and you can get complacent. But I won’t change much else because I had control of the fight for maybe 80% of it. I don’t think he can outbox me on the back foot. He has to come forward and make a fight of it.”
Fury’s acknowledgment of Usyk’s skill is more measured now. Previously, he mocked his Ukrainian opponent relentlessly, but this time there is a level of respect in his tone. “I didn’t feel as if I could knock him out at any point. I hurt him a few times to the body and with head shots, but I didn’t feel I was going to take him out.”
Despite the loss, Fury claims he harbors no regrets and quickly moved on from the defeat. “I was over the result on the flight home. Life goes on. I got back to Morecambe, went straight to the tip because the bins were overflowing. If I’d won, I’d still be doing the same thing. I’m not off to movie premieres in LA or hanging out with celebrities. That’s not me. I live a normal life.”
The rematch brings Fury back to his true calling: the dangerous and solitary world of heavyweight boxing. Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, is the most technically skilled opponent Fury has faced. Yet Fury takes comfort in the fact that Usyk lacks the raw, knockout power of Deontay Wilder, a man who knocked him down four times across their three fights. “When you’re in the ring with a prime Deontay Wilder, you’re in trouble at any moment. One mistake, and it’s game over. With Usyk, there’s no terror, no fear. After he hit me in round nine, he caught me with a few free shots and didn’t knock me down. If I’d had him in that position, I’d have knocked him out.”
Fury believes the fight was close enough to warrant differing opinions. “Some people say I lost by a round. Others say it was a draw. Some think I nicked it. But it’s no good crying about it, blaming the cook, the nutritionist, or the conditioner. It’s no one’s fault but mine for getting caught.”
Despite his confidence, Fury acknowledges the significance of the rematch. The first fight was a spectacle that lived up to its billing, and the rematch promises to be no different. “I didn’t get the win that night, but it was a fantastic fight. That’s why we’re doing it again.”
As Fury prepares to step back into the ring, his focus is sharper, and his intent is clear. He knows the challenge that awaits him but remains steadfast in his belief that he can reclaim the heavyweight titles. With the lessons of their first encounter in mind, Fury will aim to combine his skill, power, and now, a renewed sense of discipline, to overcome Usyk and rewrite the narrative of their rivalry.
