Tyson Fury is breaking new ground: In the revenge fight against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the Brit enters the ring for the first time with a defeat under his belt.
In an exclusive interview with sport.de Fury manager Spencer Brown reveals what battle plan the “Gypsy King” should use in part 2, why Usyk is so difficult to crack – and whether the dream fight Fury against Anthony Joshua will finally come in 2025.
Mister Brown, how was Tyson Fury’s preparation for his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk on December 21st in Riyadh?
Spencer Brown: The training camp was fantastic. The conditions in Malta were fantastic. Every detail has been thought of: the food, the driving service, the chefs. We had our own gym that no one but us could get into. No stone was left unturned.
How did Fury digest the first defeat of his professional career in the first fight?
After the fight, Tyson was very humbled. He didn’t take it too hard. It’s important to remember that Usyk is an incredible fighter and a very good man. There were no harsh arguments between the two – a little fun here and there. They are absolute professionals. What I notice about Tyson: He knows that he could have won this fight. He brought up some things he shouldn’t have: the antics, the clowning. He understands all of this. It was about one round and the fight was extremely close.
How did you experience the first fight at ringside?
Tyson was five laps ahead of me at one point. He suddenly brought in an uppercut that almost took Usyk’s head off. We thought that might be it. Usyk rallied, came back and finished strong. He was fabulous. It was a great fight. Tyson was caught. If Usyk this blow (in the ninth round, editor’s note) Another hundred times, Tyson will probably never be hit by it again. But then he hit.
Now we are here again. History is being written. We are very confident again. The first time we were also very sure that Tyson would make it. Tyson didn’t make it and he was pretty empty afterwards. This time he is well prepared. His diet was excellent. Let’s hope both boxers come out of the fight uninjured. It’s a boxing match. It’s boxing history that’s happening there. This will be the biggest show of the year.
Many experts suggest that your protégé should fight much more aggressively in the second duel and crush Usyk with a lot of body mass. What do you think of such advice?
Daniel Dubois never boxed Usyk around, Anthony Joshua never boxed Usyk around and Derek Chisora never boxed Usyk around. They’re all big, strong people. They all wanted to march through it. You’ll never get through him. Usyk always finds a way, he is a fabulous fighter. You have to be top to keep up with him. Tyson Fury made it harder for him than anyone has ever done before. Usyk would probably say that himself, looking at how he looked after the fight. But there is no question: he is an incredible man.
There are reports that Fury is getting into the ring heavier on Saturday than he was in May? Is that so, did he add a few pounds?
Only Tyson knows that. He’s the one fighting Usyk. He makes his own decisions. We can’t take the hits for him. We can only advise him and help him.
What style will he use to seek success this time?
Every style was tried against Usyk. This is a battle of wills. The bulldozer style doesn’t seem to have any effect on Usyk. He pushes his opponents ahead of him and doesn’t back down. When fighting Usyk you have to force him into reverse, he doesn’t seem to be effective. If you let him come, you’re in trouble. Once he has deciphered an opponent, there are very few on this planet who can beat him. We believe Tyson can beat him.
What are Fury’s advantages, what makes him a special fighter?
Tyson’s greatest strengths have been seen by everyone. Where is there a 2.06 meter giant who can move and box like Tyson, who can change the delivery?
He has several styles, as you’ve seen: In the first fight against Deontay Wilder he boxed, in the second he got through him like a knife through butter. In the third fight he was pretty heavy. He only trained for four weeks and his daughter was seriously ill in the hospital. He had a diabolical diet. He was out of shape and still got it done – and that might have been Wilder’s best performance. It was hard work, but he did it in style. Many people say Tyson isn’t a great puncher – just ask Deontay Wilder.
Tyson has a ‘herky-jerky style’ (uncontrollable, editor’s note)he has incredible footwork, he can dance. Ask his sparring partner how difficult it is to get past his lead hand.
An old boxing saying goes that a good big boxer always wins against a good little one. It wasn’t like that in the first fight…
That’s settled, isn’t it? In most cases it is like that. But with Usyk we are talking about a super fighter. For me he was unbeatable at cruiserweight, then moved up to heavyweight. He was very clever, he deceived us all against Chisora. Then we thought, he’s not that great. Everyone fell for it. Then Anthony Joshua fought him and we saw what he did to Anthony even though AJ wasn’t bad.
How can you beat Usyk anyway?
I wouldn’t say Usyk is invincible, he certainly isn’t. But you have to be extremely fit, you have to be extremely clever, hit hard, you have to push him back. If you don’t do that, you lose. Usyk also has great timing. He knows exactly when an opponent is getting tired – and then he strikes. He didn’t do that against Tyson in the first six rounds, so it was more of a chess game. He is a strong counter-puncher and very clever. He knows exactly when to attack and when not to. He has proven that. We are extremely confident. I think Tyson was pretty easy last time (118.8 kilograms, editor). Did it have anything to do with it? Who knows, but he’ll be a big, strong man.
From England we hear that Tyson will weigh around 125 kilos (around 19 stone, 7 pounds) this time…
I wouldn’t believe everything you hear. Maybe he can get into the ring super easily. We won’t let the cat out of the bag. He is very strong at the moment. Maybe he weighs 115 (in English about 18 stones, 2 pounds, editor).
Bottom line: your tip, your forecast for December 21st?
Bottom line (thinks)… I’ve been thinking about it for weeks and I always think something different depending on the day. What I see at the moment – no one has knocked Usyk out yet. Dubois was close, I thought the hit was legal. It’s a close fight and Tyson wins on points. The bookmakers say Tyson can’t win, we’re gross underdogs. We like that. It’s going to be an exciting night.
They are talking about Daniel Dubois’s blow against Usyk in the summer of 2023, which sent the Ukrainian to the ground but which the referee rated as low. Are hits to the body Usyk’s key weak point?
Usyk is not invincible. That’s a weakness he has. He has to have one. That seems to be his kryptonite, the body shots. And Tyson beats a lot of them, he’s great at that.
Whatever the outcome of the fight, the world is still waiting for a duel between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Her colleague Eddie Hearn says whether Tyson wins or loses, this fight never loses its appeal…
This is the biggest fight there is in boxing. If you announce it for Wembley tomorrow it will sell out in five minutes. If you do it in Riyadh, the flights are fully booked in 20 minutes, that’s how big it is. Both are aware of this. Could it be Tyson’s last dance – maybe. I believe the fight is coming, I really believe it and it’s going to be huge.
But the point is: There could be a rubber match if Tyson wins against Usyk, the decider. I’m sure Tyson would like a trilogy. There are so many options. Boxing is so exciting right now. It’s back in fashion. We seem to be in a golden era, which is great for us in the boxing business. It’s all because of Saudi Arabia, what they did: 50/50 fights, the money they spent, the PR, the videos. As long as they are involved, boxing has a chance, a great one at that.
Martin Armbruster spoke to Spencer Brown