The Ukrainian champion held a shadow boxing session in front of cameras.
On Wednesday evening, December 18, the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk held an open training session in Riyadh before the rematchagainst former champion Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian boxer arrived to training in a very impressive manner – on a boat and with bright musical accompaniment. The soloist was the famous Ukrainian singer Artem Pivovarov, who, together with the choir, performed several songs during Alexander's open training.
Usyk has ARRIVED! #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | December 21, Live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/LCN9OtpeOV
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 18, 2024
Once in the ring, Usyk greeted the spectators and shadowboxed in front of the cameras.
It should be noted that before Usyk's open training, a similar event with the participation of Fury also took place. The Briton, in an uncharacteristic manner for himself, behaved rather reservedly in public and did without trash talk.
Arriving in STYLE
Tyson Fury comes to work on the BOAT #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | December 21, Live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/viiJBQjL7q
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 18, 2024
The Kyrgyz king is HERE and he has it all in #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | December 21, Live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/7P77cA1Vep
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 18, 2024
Full video of Usyk and Fury's open training before the rematch
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 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.