Published on: 12/19/2024 – 11:26Amended: 12/19/2024 – 11:24

3 minutes

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

Bookmakers and many neutral commentators favor the undefeated Ukrainian, widely considered the pound-for-pound best fighter, as he returns to Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena seven months later.

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

Only three belts are now at stake as Usyk, engaged in this lucrative rematch, relinquished his IBF title rather than face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.

Fury, now 36, had gone 35 fights unbeaten before facing Usyk, despite a rollercoaster career in which he battled depression, drug addiction and spiraling weight.

His preparations for the first unification clash in a generation have been chaotic, after a training hiatus forced a three-month postponement and reduced his ability to train.

During final preparation, his father, John, headbutted a member of Usyk’s entourage, and it was later revealed that Fury’s wife, Paris, had suffered a miscarriage the day before of the fight.

The “Gypsy King” was more focused this time around and locked himself away in a three-month training camp in Malta after saying he had not spoken to Paris or his children.

On Thursday, he refused to perform in front of the cameras at a public training session held under the gaze of a fake Sphinx at Riyadh’s Boulevard World theme park.

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

“A lot of pain,” he said of Saturday’s fight. “Crush and damage.”

“A lot of hurt,” the Mancunian continued, ignoring the interviewer’s questions. “Injured, seriously injured. Lots of damage.”

Usyk “comfortable”

Usyk, by contrast, was smiling and exuberant, dancing and shadow boxing while pop star Artem Pivovarov, hanging from a lighting fixture, sang a Ukrainian hit.

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

Fury, the former WBC champion, must beat Usyk on Saturday to set up a trilogy fight and gloss over the one blemish of his career.

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

However, he couldn’t face a tougher foe than Usyk, a former Olympic gold medalist and undisputed cruiserweight champion whose record stands at 22-0.

While the Ukrainian southpaw gives up six inches of height and a big weight advantage to Fury, his footwork, speed and prodigious fitness have allowed him to thrive since moving up to heavyweight.

In the premier division, Usyk beat Chisora ​​and twice defeated the imposing Anthony Joshua, winning his IBF, IBO and WBO belts, before knocking out Dubois and ending Fury’s unbeaten record.

British media reported a £150 million ($190 million) increase, with Usyk set to receive the lion’s share – unlike May, when Fury reportedly took 70 percent.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, invests heavily in sport to raise its profile, regularly sparking accusations of “sportswashing” or using sport to distract from its human rights record.

© 2024 AFP