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Tyson Fury’s training partner Moses Itauma has revealed the former world champion was “totally different” during preparations for his heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
After Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in May, Fury has the chance to avenge his first career defeat – live Sky Sports box office on Saturday evening.
Itauma, considered one of the brightest young prospects in the heavyweight division and fighting on Saturday’s undercard, attended every one of Fury’s training camps to prepare for Usyk.
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Fury promised to knock out Oleksandr Usyk in the rematch on December 21 when he made his big appearance in Saudi Arabia
“He is completely different. His mentality has changed,” Itauma said at the grand arrival ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“He wasn’t the nice guy anymore. He was actually there to train.”
“Normally when I trained with him in Saudi Arabia and Morecambe (before), we would spar together, sack together, do circuits together, run together, do strength and conditioning exercises together, but this time he focused solely on that “To do it alone.”
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Usyk arrives for his rematch with Fury
“And he said, ‘I’m a lone soldier, I’m a lone wolf’.”
“He was hit by a good shot and screamed. I thought, ‘This guy is a lunatic.’ But to play this sport you have to be a little crazy.”
Itauma insists Fury’s motivation for an immediate rematch is not financial, but that his compatriot is simply driven by a burning desire to avenge defeat.
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Fury talks to Sky Sports’ Andy Scott about his highly anticipated rematch with Usyk, his love of boxing and what advice he would give darts sensation Luke Littler
He added: “I don’t think Tyson is doing this for the money. So if he’s not doing it for the money, then what is he doing it for?”
“Because he actually wants to beat Oleksandr Usyk, and if he had done it for the money, he would have given up long ago.”
“With that in mind, people need to consider this. Saturday night Tyson Fury will come to fight and win.”
“I don’t feel like he’s just going to come and get knocked over because he just wouldn’t have been able to train. And believe me, I was at training camp, he trained hard.”
The big heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be broadcast live on Saturday, December 21st Sky Sports box office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
