‘Destroy and damage’ Tyson Fury wants revenge against Usyk

Tyson Fury will fight for his legacy and revenge as well as three heavyweight belts in his rematch against superlative Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.

The unpredictable Englishman suffered the first defeat of his career in May when Usyk won by split decision to become the first undisputed champion in the four-belt era.

Bookmakers and many neutral commentators favored the unbeaten Ukrainian, widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, when they returned to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh seven months later.

Despite the score being tight, in the ninth round Fury needed the ropes to keep him upright and was saved by the bell after a standing eight count.

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Only three belts are at stake as Usyk, committed to a lucrative rematch, vacates his IBF title rather than face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.

Fury, now 36, was 35 fights unbeaten before facing Usyk, despite a rollercoaster career as he battled depression, substance abuse and weight gain.

His preparations for the first unification clash in a generation were in disarray, after training cuts forced a three-month postponement and reduced his ability to compete.

In the final blow, his father, John, headbutted one of Usyk’s entourage, and it was later revealed that Fury’s wife, Paris, had suffered a miscarriage on the eve of the fight.

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

The “Gypsy King” was more focused this time and holed himself up in a three-month training camp in Malta as he said he did not speak to Paris or his children.

On Thursday, he refused to appear on camera at an open training session held under the watchful eye of a fake Sphinx at the Boulevard World amusement park in Riyadh.

Wearing a hooded leather jacket and a big, bushy beard, Fury walked around the ring, laced up his gloves, took them off again and then uttered several monosyllabic threats.

“It hurts a lot,” he said of Saturday’s fight. “Break and break.”

“Very painful,” continued the Mancunian, ignoring the interviewer’s question. “Pain, serious injury. Lots of damage.”

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‘Comfortable’ Usyk

Usyk, by contrast, was smiling and animated, dancing and doing shadow boxing as pop star Artem Pivovarov, dangling from a lighting rig, sang the Ukrainian hit song.

“The first fight is over,” said the 37-year-old, adding that he felt “good, very comfortable in boxing and training”.

Fury, a former WBC champion, needs to beat Usyk on Saturday to set up a trilogy fight and cover one blemish in his career.

He was inspired by his strong record in rematches, having beaten Derek Chisora ​​​​and Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fights.

However, he could face no tougher opponent than Usyk, a former Olympic gold medalist and undisputed cruiserweight champion whose record is 22-0.

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While the Ukrainian southpaw gives Fury a six-inch height and weight advantage, his exceptional footwork, speed and fitness have allowed him to thrive since moving up to heavyweight.

In the top division, Usyk beat Chisora ​​and twice beat the towering Anthony Joshua, taking the IBF, IBO and WBO belts, before beating Dubois and ending Fury’s unbeaten streak.

British media have reported an increase in the prize of £150 million ($190 million), with Usyk expected to receive the lion’s share – unlike in May, when Fury was said to have banked 70 percent.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has invested heavily in sports to raise its profile, sparking accusations of “sportswashing” or using sport to divert attention from its human rights record.

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