Excitement is building as boxing fanatics prepare for the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in December.
The Ukrainian monster handed the Brit his first career defeat back in May, to the shock of most spectators.
But the Gypsy King is out for revenge, although fellow compatriot Ricky Hatton says he cannot call how the fight will go.
The 46-year-old has worked with Fury in the past and spoke exclusively to Aky Karim of Boxing Now about the eagerly anticipated matchup.
He said: “I think it’s a 50/50 one again. A fight with Usyk and Tyson is never going to be a landslide either way.
“I do think Tyson’s pride would’ve been hurt in that first fight a little bit and he’ll want to come back.
“There’s little bits of wear and tear starting to show now, which is understandable.
“He had all the attributes to win last time and I don’t think he really used any of them.
Agent 47, Oleksandr Usyk, had a photo of him punching Tyson Fury inside his Hitman briefcase 💼
And he even made Fury sign it 😅
“I look like Shrek!”#FuryUsyk2 pic.twitter.com/Rn5LDUkmo0
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 23, 2024
“So yes, I’d like to see him hold his feet a bit more this time and hit him hard as he comes forward. When he did do that, he hurt Usyk with an uppercut.
“If he does that this time, I think he might just edge it.”
Adapt and overcome
Fury’s camp was criticised following the defeat earlier in the year due to the overwhelming presence in his corner.
His trainer could be heard constantly shouting at his fighter, while father John was also spotted throwing words of encouragement out into the air.
Hatton in particular was not a fan of the tactic and believes if Fury is to win this time, he needs to adjust even the small details and suggests a calmer corner is needed to give him full focus.
He added: “There also has to just be one voice in the corner.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef says Tyson Fury vs Daniel Dubois is a ‘natural’ fight if Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in December 👀 pic.twitter.com/IaAFBS29ax
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 7, 2024
“If it’s Sugar, it’s Sugar and if it’s John, it’s John. I’m not saying who should be the one giving advice but it does have to be one voice.
“When you’re in a war and you’re getting hurt, taking shots, feeling dazed, then it’s hard to take that information in.
“The best chance you have of taking it in is when it’s only one person speaking.
“That’s one of the major things they can learn from that first fight I think. One voice only.
“By all means they should all be getting their heads together during the three-minute round but in those 30 seconds, it needs to just be one person.
“If Tyson makes those two tweaks, I think he can win the rematch.”
