Lennox Lewis suggested Tyson Furyis the key to beating Alexander Ousyk Perhaps it’s his weight, after the “Gypsy King” failed in his first fight against the Ukrainian.
Usyk beat Fury by split decision in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis in 2000. And on December 21, the two men will face off again in Saudi Arabia. This time, however, only three of the four major belts will be on the line.
In the first fight, Fury fought largely on the back foot after coming down to his lightest weight in four years. Come December, the Briton is expected to take a different approach, according to Lewis.
“I think Fury has learned what he needs to do next time, because he hasn’t done enough,” Lewis said. Sports Indy columnist Steve Bunce on the BBC 5 Live boxing podcast.
“He needs to do a lot more. I like him a little heavier for his fights and doesn’t move around as much.
“He must first conquer himself. He’s been through this stuff before, so I think he can do it because he knows what to do.
“He’s been at his lowest and highest before. He’s here right now, he knows how to get back up here. He just needs to get to work.
Fury, 36, has a promising record in rematches. The former champion holds three wins over Derek Chisora and improved on his controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018, later knocking out the American in two separate fights. He also beat John McDermott twice, early in his career.
Lewis also knows a thing or two about rematches. The British-born Canadian was stopped by Hasim Rahman in April 2001, but avenged that defeat with a knockout victory seven months later. Earlier in his career, Lewis also bounced back from a TKO of Oliver McCall to stop the American in his rematch. And in 1999, Lewis fought Evander Holyfield to a draw before winning their second clash – going undisputed.
“Every day I woke up training for this person, ready for this person, thinking about them all day. I took it very seriously,” Lewis, 59, said.
“Wake up every day to their picture, put it on the wall and think about them all the time. It’s a mental war you’re waging against.
Fury’s loss to Usyk was the first of his professional career, while Usyk – a former undisputed cruiserweight champion – remained undefeated with the victory.
Usyk, 38, will also be encouraged by his success in a rematch with Anthony Joshua, whom he dominated in 2021 and 2022.
