Oleksandr Usyk believes Tyson Fury is the hardest opponent he has ever faced, but stresses he expects a different fight to their first bout when they meet in their rematch.
The pair meet on December 21 at Riyadh Arena after the Ukrainian prevailed in their original meeting earlier this May.
Usyk joined a rare band of heavyweights to become unidsputed world champion, handing Fury a first-ever career loss when the pair of them met in Saudi Arabia.
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Speaking on DAZN’s FACE OFF before their upcoming bout, the former admitted he was looking forward to their rematch, and suggested he is the toughest foe he has faced.
“Because Tyson knows what I do and I know what Tyson, it will be a different fight,” he said. “I think [he is my toughest rival].
“Listen, I have much respect for all my opponents because it’s boxing, it’s a tough sport. It’s a very dangerous sport.
“This man is very famous around the world, he’s a big man, I’m a small man, he is a big man. But we have a second fight.
“Boxing, it’s not a play. Boxing is a hard sport. [It is] tough, When I’m back home after a fight, my body tells me [to not do it again].”
Usyk, unbeaten across multiple weights, could well go for a trilogy with Fury if he loses for the first time, but otherwise may head back to cruiserweight.
