Klitschko Backs Usyk To Beat Fury

December 21, 2024
2 months
Klitschko Backs Usyk To Beat Fury

Wladimir Klitschko has backed Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury in their December 21 rematch.

Usyk enters the fight as the champion as he defeated Fury in a split decision to become the world’s Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. It was the first time boxing had seen an undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis. He cleaned up the division in 1999 when he defeated Evander Holyfield. Usyk also had the pleasure of becoming the undisputed champion in a second weight class following his achievement at cruiserweight. He then vacated the IBF Heavyweight Title, which is now in Daniel Dubois‘ possession. There are significant questions heading into this bout. Both fighters will have to make a certain element of adjustments based on how the first fight went.

Usyk dominated the earlier rounds and finished the fight stronger. He was hitting Fury to the body and head. He almost stopped the Gypsy King in round nine, only for the referee to intervene with a standing eight count. Fury’s best work came in the middle rounds when he pushed Usyk back, hitting the body and then landing that vicious uppercut.

There are also questions over whether the weight will play a telling factor. Fury came in heavier than the first fight. This could work in his favor, if he is able to lean on Usyk. But the Ukrainian will be able to use that to his advantage if he can make Fury carry that extra weight and tire him out. Klitschko picked Usyk to win in the first fight and has done so again.

Klitschko Reacts

The former Unified Heavyweight Champion admitted that he has been training regularly, which is why the rumors over a comeback emerged. The Saudis have also said they would like to see Klitschko return, with reports that he could try to become the oldest heavyweight champion. The current record is held by George Foreman, who won the IBF Heavyweight Title at 45 when he beat Michael Moorer. Klitschko would eclipse that if he won a title by winning a belt at 48. But he is confident that Usyk will keep him in retirement.

“It’s not going to happen okay. I’m going to stay in retirement. He’s [Usyk] going to keep me in retirement. I remember Oleksandr called me at the end of March of this year, on my birthday and he said, ‘Champ, I wish you happy birthday and I wish that your dream to become the oldest champion of the world will come true.’

“I said, ‘Oleksandr, what are you talking about, your fight is going to come up, you’re in preparation, keep me in retirement.’ So he promised, ‘I’m going to do it, I’m going to keep it [the championship.]. Oleksandr is going to repeat history. It’s going to be deja vu. So repetition. That’s actually what is happening. I was here for the first fight. It just feels the same and it looks the same and is the same,” Klitschko said

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