There is just two weeks to go until the most anticipated rematch of the year between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
It was back in May that these two heavyweight stars came together to fight it out for the first undisputed title since 1999 when Lennox Lewis became the division’s supreme ruler.
The fight was a close one with plenty of technical skills, great footwork and slick defences on show, though Usyk did get through on one significant occasion in the ninth round when he sent Fury reeling to the ropes and to take a count from the referee.
That was enough for the Ukrainian to pull away on the cards very slightly and take a points win. He has since had to vacate the IBF belt in order to honour this rematch, which gives Fury a chance to avenge his first-ever professional loss and win the unified titles.
Speaking to the media at a recent appearance in Dubai, former multi-weight world champion Pacquiao was asked how he sees the fight going.
“It’s a good fight. Even match.”
He was then pushed or a winner but remained on the fence.
“Whoever does the extra miles in their training is the one who will be winning.”
New pictures to have emerged certainly show that Usyk is looking in fine shape ahead of the fight, while Fury has fought with all different manners of physiques depending on his game plans in different contests.
Pacquiao had famously rematches with the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley, and though he has not fought since a loss to Yordenis Ugás he has long talked up his hopes to return to the ring.
