Oleksandr Usyk issues emphatic two-word response to fears Tyson Fury might pull out of rematch – ahead of end-of-year showdown with Gypsy King
Oleksandr Usyk has responded assertively to rumors that Tyson Fury might pull out of their highly anticipated rematch scheduled for December 21, 2024. The two heavyweight champions are set to face off once more after Usyk’s narrow victory over Fury in May, a bout that saw the Ukrainian boxer claim the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion. The match was closely contested, with Usyk overcoming a challenging middle phase to secure a victory on points.
The upcoming rematch, which will take place in Saudi Arabia, has been delayed to give both fighters adequate time to recover from facial injuries sustained during their previous bout. The contract for this fight is set to expire on December 31, 2024. Recent reports have speculated that the 36-year-old Fury might consider withdrawing from the scheduled fight. In response to these rumors, Usyk issued a clear and unequivocal statement in an interview with Ready to Fight, emphasizing the binding nature of their contractual obligations.
Usyk made it clear that both he and Fury are committed to the fight until the end of the year. He noted, “He has a contract and so do I until December 31; we have to hold this fight up to and including then.” Usyk further stressed the consequences of a potential withdrawal, suggesting that if Fury were to pull out of the bout on December 21, he would forfeit all his earnings and be seen as failing to honor his commitments. This would also tarnish his reputation as a man of his word.
As Usyk prepares for the rematch, he is already in the process of commencing his training camp, emphasizing that the fight’s outcome is not just about past glories but about continuous improvement and preparation. Reflecting on their previous encounter, Usyk mentioned that he learned a great deal about Fury’s tactics and resilience. Despite nearly finishing Fury in the ninth round with a barrage of 14 unanswered punches, which left Fury clinging to the ropes, Usyk is determined to build on his previous experience and deliver an even better performance in their upcoming fight.
The Ukrainian champion shared his motivational drive, stating, “From the last fight with Tyson Fury, I learned a lot about him. A lot of the things that I saw in the fight I didn’t see on TV with all the fights that I saw of Tyson Fury.” He continued, “So we will prepare even better and God willing, with God’s victory, we will show our best shape again. I have incredible motivation. I’m often told that I’ve done everything, what is next, there is nothing further. But we just work every day, every day is a new day.”
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury’s training regimen has included some unorthodox methods, including karate kicks, which is somewhat reminiscent of Usyk’s own unconventional training exercises. Fury was also recently seen enjoying a night out at Cibo Restaurant in Wilmslow, leading some to question his commitment to the fight. Despite this, Fury will need to be in peak condition to overturn the result of their previous bout. In their first fight, the scorecards reflected a competitive contest: one judge had Fury ahead 114-113, while the other two scored it 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Usyk. This split decision resulted in Usyk’s historic victory, marking Fury’s first professional loss and affirming Usyk as the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
Post-fight, Fury had expressed his belief that he had controlled most of the rounds and thus should have been declared the winner. However, Usyk’s comprehensive preparation and determination suggest that he is ready to once again demonstrate his skill and fortitude in the rematch. The anticipation continues to build as both fighters gear up for what promises to be another compelling clash in the heavyweight division.
