Eddie Hearn believes that the Ukrainian will defeat the “Gypsy King” again.
Eddie Hearn, promoter of former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, shared his expectations for the rematch between WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO title holder Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury.
He said that he would be rooting for the “Gypsy King” in the upcoming fight, but at the same time noted that if he had to bet on the winner, he would choose the Ukrainian.
“The rematch will be as great a fight as the first fight. If you ask me to be as honest as possible, I would like Fury to win. He is a little wild, you enjoy him more, he is more entertaining. But if you asked me where I would put my money, I would choose Usyk.
Usyk is just hard to beat. Especially when he's been in the ring with you before. In a fight, he usually analyzes you and understands what he needs to do. He made Fury retreat in the first fight. That's something he's never done at heavyweight. When you look at Tyson's size, you realize that Usyk has done something incredible.
But Usyk also likes to be attacked aggressively. That's what Joshua was always told: “Oh, Anthony, you just have to be aggressive. Just use your size.” No, that's not how it works. I don't know what Fury can use to beat Usyk. He landed punches, but in the rematch he needs to do it a lot more. And when you do it more, you open yourself up to a counter-attack,” Hearn said in an interview with Ready to Fight.
The Usyk-Fury rematch will take place on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All the titles that the Ukrainian boxer holds will be at stake.
Unlike the first fight, this time the title of absolute world champion will not be at stake, since previously Alexander renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out Anthony Joshua.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk defeated Fury by split decision in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
You can watch a video of the best moments of the Usyk – Fury fight on our website.
Thus, Alexander defended the WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts, and also took the WBC title from the “Gypsy King”. Usyk became the first absolute world champion in the heavyweight division in the 21st century.
Before that, the last “absolute” heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who won this status in 1999, when he defeated Evander Holyfield. At that time, the WBA, WBC and IBF titles were at stake. The WBO belt was recognized as equal in 2007, so Usyk became the first “absolute” heavyweight champion in history with four main titles.