American believes the “Gypsy King” a slight favorite.
Former world boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya shared his opinion on the upcoming rematch between WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO title holder Oleksandr Usyk and former champion Tyson Fury.
The American has no doubt that the Ukrainian will be even better in the second fight, but still considers the Briton a slight favorite.
“Yes, Usyk won the first fight. He will come back with all this in the rematch. Alexander will be better, faster, wiser, tougher. He will know how to deal with Tyson thanks to the first fight and the confidence he has.
However, I think Fury will have his head in the right place this time. We didn’t know what happened… He went through a tragedy, his child died before the fight. Let’s talk about the heart that Tyson entered the ring with. Anyone would have refused. But Tyson entered the ring and fought Usyk, it’s incredible. So I do see an equal rematch, 50-50, but I still have to give preference to Tyson,” Oscar De La Hoya said in an interview with the YouTube channel Fight Hub TV.
The Usyk-Fury rematch will take place on December 21 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). All titles held by the Ukrainian boxer 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 held by Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out Anthony Joshua.
Earlier it was reported that Usyk and Fury had their first battle of eyes before the rematch.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk won by split decision over Fury in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
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.
