Tyson Fury is gearing up for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, looking to bounce back from defeat for the first time in his storied career.
The Morecambe heavyweight went into the May fight holding the WBC belt and looking to take the other three – WBA, WBO and IBF – from Usyk and back to England with him.
Though some good success in the middle rounds had many thinking he was on the way to doing so, the Ukrainian found another gear and produced an extraordinary ninth in which he beat Fury around the ring. ‘The Gypsy King’ did well to stay on his feet but took a count from the referee when he was held up by the ropes.
That was enough to earn Usyk a split decision win on the scorecards to become the first undisputed champion in the division since Lennox Lewis. Although he has since vacated the IBF belt, he rematches Fury later this year for the WBC, WBA and WBO.
With preparations now well underway, Fury has taken to social media – breaking a promised blackout – to tell Usyk he should have ‘finished the job’ in the ninth.
“You had your shot but couldn’t finish the job! Mistake! Now you’re about to feel the wrath of a menace! F**k Usyk, f**k Egis Klimas, f**k Alex Krassyuk and if you’re down with usyk then f**k you too! Gypsy King 2024 coming for you! December 21 is mine – me against the world, incoming 3x heavyweight champ!”
Usyk responded typically, saying, “you are very cool, my friend.”
The two heavyweights return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a Christmas cracker on December 21.
