The Ukrainian is preparing for a tough fight against the Briton.
The holder of the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight titles Oleksandr Usyk answered the question of whether he will try in the upcoming rematchknockout victory over former champion Tyson Fury.
This was reported by the Daily Mail.
According to the Ukrainian, he is preparing for a difficult fight. Alexander assured that he will take advantage of the opportunity to finish the fight early if such an opportunity arises.
“It definitely won't be easier in the rematch. It will be harder. But I always prepare myself for a tough fight. There are no other options. I don't need it to be easier. You won't find diamonds in ease, because they aren't there. You can't achieve success without hard work. Anything that comes easy doesn't grow well.
In the first fight against Fury, it wasn't me who decided it, but the heavenly powers decided that I would win this way – by a judge's decision. If I have the opportunity to knock out Tyson in the rematch, I will definitely take advantage of it,” Usyk said.
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 Alexander had previously renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by Briton Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out his compatriot 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.
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.