Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could come face-to-face for first time since world title fight at Joyce vs Chisora

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk could come nose-to-nose on Saturday night in London.

The heavyweight pair last saw and brutalised each other on May 18 in Saudi Arabia where the 37-year-old Ukraine icon became the undisputed world champion following a magnificent battle.

The rematch is signed for December 21, back in Riyadh, but the giant duo are on course to collide at the O2 as fans watching the bout between Derek Chisora and Joe Joyce.

Usyk beat Joyce in the amateurs and Chisora in the pros, while 35-year-old Fury has sparred hundreds of rounds with the Putney Juggernaut and beaten Del Boy three times.

Crimea king Usyk is guaranteed to be ringside in Greenwich, popping over from Paris where he is helping the Ukraine national boxing team at the Olympics.

And Fury is in talks to travel down from Morecambe after returning from a well-earned family holiday.

Promoter Frank Warren told SunSport: “I spoke to Tyson this morning, he has just come back from a great time on holiday with all of the kids.

“Tyson might come down to the fight on Saturday night – and Usyk is definitely coming as well as he is just over the Channel at the Olympics.

“I spoke to Tyson and he said he will try to come down, he definitely wants to.

“But with all those kids – and another one on the way – he has to use his time away from fights and camp to be a father and husband.”

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Fury wasted the opening three rounds, showboating when he should have been taking advantage of Usyk being a slow starter.

But the 6ft 9in Morecambe master was sensational between rounds four and seven, slashing uppercuts and hooks into the gap-toothed southpaw.

But he had his nose shattered in round eight and was battered all over the ring, and down to the canvas, in round nine and lost a split decision.

In the aftermath, Team Fury’s corner work was analysed and the overbearing influence of dad John was a disaster, as he yelled over experienced and respected trainers Andy Lee and Sugarhill Steward.

Thankfully Warren suggests that the debacle will not be repeated.

“He knows he has to sort a couple of things out,” the Queensberry boss said. “And they will get sorted out.

“If he repeats what he did in the middle rounds, he will stop Usyk.

“I went in both dressing rooms afterwards and – hand on my heart – I could see the difference in the damage and Tyson was far better off.

“Tyson caught him with so many shots and then Usyk caught him on the nose but Usyk was bashed up afterwards.

“Tyson does like to showboat – I wish he wouldn’t – but it’s part of his style and nature, he’s a showman and he won’t change at 35.

“They need to sort out the corner, they only need one voice, not ‘voices’.”

London 2012 golden boy and former undisputed cruiserweight boss Usyk explained why he enjoyed UK trips so much.

The undefeated genius said: “I love UK fans because a lot of UK fans understand boxing.

“I have a big story with UK fighters, Joe Joyce, Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury. But I love UK fans, the country.

“This is just sport, we are all a community, I respect these guys, I message them on Instagram.

“They’re my rivals, but we’re friends.”

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk