Oleksandr Usyk has issued a bold warning to Tyson Fury, promising a more aggressive approach in their highly anticipated heavyweight rematch. The Ukrainian has vowed to go for a knockout in Saturday’s showdown at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk made history in May when he handed Fury his first professional defeat, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion—a feat last achieved by Lennox Lewis in 1999. Now, the ‘Gypsy King’ is determined to reclaim his titles and avenge that loss at the same venue.
Speaking to Mail Sport, the 37-year-old Usyk said, “Against Fury, it wasn’t me who decided the outcome—it was the heavenly virtues. But if I have the opportunity to knock him out in the rematch, I will take it.”
Read Also: Fury vs Usyk rematch to deliver record-breaking £150m prize money
Usyk initially claimed the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021, defending them successfully in a rematch the following year. In August 2023, he retained his belts with a ninth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois before achieving undisputed status in May by dethroning Fury for the WBC belt.
Despite his short-lived reign as the undisputed champion—having vacated the IBF title to prioritize this lucrative rematch with Fury—Usyk remains laser-focused on solidifying his legacy. With the stakes higher than ever, the rematch promises to be an electrifying encounter.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
