Tyson Fury claims he is planning to come in at a career-heaviest weight for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk handed Fury the first defeat of his professional career in May via split decision but ‘The Gypsy King’ will have the opportunity exact his revenge on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fury has promised not to leave his upcoming fight to the judges this time around and intends to stop Usyk inside the distance.
In order to do that, the Mancunian appears, at least from pictures, to be packing on the pounds to add more weight to his punch.
talkSPORT’s Gareth A Davies recently reported that Fury is intending to come in a stone heavier this time around.
Fury weighed (18st 10lbs/262lbs) for their inaugural encounter but Davies was told by sources close to the former WBC heavyweight champion that he wants to be around the 19st 7lbs mark (273lbs) for the sequel.
However, Fury claims he will be far heavier than that.
“I’m going to be about 21 stone for this fight,” he told BoxNation.
It’s hard to tell whether Fury is bluffing. He certainly doesn’t look 21 stone (294lbs) and coming in a massive 2st 3lbs (31lbs) heavier than last time would be ill-advised.
Especially, when he would be carrying 1st and 1.3lbs more weight than he ever has before inside a boxing ring.
At present, his career-heaviest weight came against Francis Ngannou in October last year when he tipped the scales at 18st 10lbs (277.7lbs).
It seems more likely that Davies’ estimate will be closer to his actual fight weight, which would still mark a considerable gain in a seven-month period.
3
This wouldn’t be the first time Fury has bulked up for a rematch.
After drawing with Deontay Wilder in their inaugural encounter back in 2020, Fury packed on 17lbs for their second fight and blasted out ‘The Bronze Bomber’ inside seven rounds.
Fury’s weight tactics may have worked against Wilder but former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie insists they would only serve to benefit Usyk.
“He [Fury] doesn’t live, eat, walk, talk the sport but you’re supposed to,” McKenzie told talkSPORT’s talkBOXING podcast.
“In-between fights is where fights are won and lost. We know Fury blows up, puts on a load of weight between fights and then he has got to get rid of all that weight again.
“Now, they’re trying to tell us that Fury is going to be bigger and better.
3
“Bigger and better isn’t going to beat Usyk. It’s really not.
“If he puts on more weight and thinks to himself ‘I’m going to bully Usyk this time, I’m going to go in and walk him down, I’ll be able to take his shots because I’m that much bigger’, it’s not going to work for him.
“He’s going to be slower, he’s going to be more predictable, he’s going to get hit more and a lot sooner…
“Usyk wins the rematch all day long, I can’t see how Tyson Fury beats him. He’s not going to knock Usyk out.”
Watch Fury Vs Usyk 2 Live on DAZN
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
How to Watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 live on DAZN
Get ready to rumble with Fury vs Usyk 2 live on DAZN Pay-Per-View!
- Buy the PPV: Get access to the fight by purchasing the PPV on DAZN.
- No Commitment, 7-Day Free Trial: With your PPV purchase, you’ll also receive a 7-day free trial of DAZN. Enjoy all the action and explore DAZN‘s sports lineup with no extra cost!
- First Month Free: Monthly DAZN subscribers can get their first month for free when signing up!
- No Subscription Required: The PPV price is all you need to pay. There’s no obligation to continue after your free trial ends.
Don’t miss the biggest fight of 2024! On December 21st “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury takes on “The Cat” Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in what promises to be the rematch of the century – order now and start your DAZN free trial today!