Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) will clash once more, this time for the unified heavyweight championship.
Their fight headlines a Riyadh Season card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Boxing fans around the world can catch the action live on DAZN as a pay-per-view. Those in the United Kingdom and Ireland can also do with Sky Sports and TNT Sports. This will be the second bout between the two. Their first meeting saw Usyk become the undisputed heavyweight champion with a split-decision win in May this year.
Saturday night’s card is part of Riyadh Season, a state-funded entertainment and sports festival. The Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority is responsible for its organization.
Ahead of their December 21 rematch, both men spoke at a final press conference. Below is what they had to say.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 Press Conference Quotes
Oleksandr Usyk
“Now we have just a performance,” said the unified heavyweight champion through an interpreter. “Talks, cameras, light kind of show. Everything [is] gonna be taking place on Saturday night on the 21st.”
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“Don’t be afraid,” he said in English. “I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday.”
Tyson Fury
“I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain,” said the British fighter. “I’m going to put this fucker in the hurt locker, that’s for sure.”
Read More: Tyson Fury Opens Up on Retirement Before Oleksandr Usyk Rematch
“I got nothing to say, apart from there’s gonna be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. That’s all I got to say. Talking’s been done, you know. The first fight, I talked, I joked all me career. This time I’m serious. I’m going to do some fucking damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work on this fucker.”
“Can’t wait for Saturday night. Thank you to everybody involved. God bless.”
Fight Prediction
Going 12 entire rounds with Usyk is difficult, something that was evident in the first meeting between these two. In the middle rounds, Fury appeared to be getting the upper hand, landing hard shots that were clearly impacting his opponent. The Ukrainian, however, wrested control and even scored a knockdown in the ninth, going on to win the fight by unanimous decision.
This should be a fight that again goes the distance as both men are talented fighters in their own right. Expect “The Gypsy King” to win some rounds but struggle later in the bout as he tires. With a tired opponent in front of him – Usyk will capitalize and eventually win enough rounds to convince the judges. Expect the current unified heavyweight champion to remain so with a unanimous decision victory.
Full Lineup
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2, for the former’s WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight world titles, 12-round heavyweight bout
Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis, 12-round super welterweight bout
Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean, 10-round heavyweight bout
Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen, 10-round heavyweight bout
Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards, 10-round super featherweight bout
Isaac Lowe vs. Lee McGregor, 10-round featherweight bout
Daniel Lapin vs. Dylan Colin, 10-round light heavyweight bout
Andrii Novytskyi vs. Edgar Ramirez, 10-round heavyweight bout
Mohammed Alakel vs. Joshua Ocampo, four-round super featherweight bout
Quick Undercard Predictions
Serhii Bohachuk to win via knockout against Ishmael Davis.
Moses Itauma to win a unanimous decision against Demsey McKean.
Johnny Fisher to win via knockout against Dave Allen.
Peter McGrail to win via knockout against Rhys Edwards.
Lee McGregor to win a unanimous decision against Isaac Lowe.
Daniel Lapin to win a unanimous decision against Dylan Colin.
Andrii Novytskyi to win via knockout against Edgar Ramirez.
Mohammed Alakel to win on points against Joshua Ocampo.
Full Press Conference
For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of DAZN.
