Oleksandr Usyk in his press conference in Riyadh (Image: Getty)
The time for talking is almost over, although unusually, there’s been little by the way of verbal shenanigans from in the build-up to his rematch with . Thursday’s , both refusing to break their gaze until the challenger was eventually dragged away by security.
But while the incident underlined the focus of both men ahead of a bout that will define their rivalry, as well as the heavyweight division, the man lauded as the ‘Gypsy King’ has rarely been seen or heard since his first professional loss to the Ukrainian in May.
With his legacy on the line, the familiar, and often nauseating, antics of gatecrashing press conferences dressed as batman, dad John throwing his weight about, and cries of “silly sausage” have been rendered a thing of the past.
And according to one former world champion, Fury’s new approach is a positive development, and the decision to spend his fight camp away from the limelight in Malta underlines his burning desire to avenge his points loss. “I think that’s a good thing,” Anthony Crolla told Express Sport.
“And to be honest I think Tyson’s got massive respect for Usyk, his behaviour (post-fight) last time showed that. This time he’s been more honest, he’s not putting the stupid stuff out on social media, he’s totally focussed on the fight. I think the build-up last time, the carry on with Big John, I don’t think that helped Tyson.”
days before the first fight, but has not been seen this week in Riyadh. And according to Fury’s trainer SugarHill Steward, the British fighter .
Anthony Crolla doesn’t think Tyson Fury can get inside the head of Oleksandr Usyk. (Image: Getty)
Watch Fury vs Usyk 2 for £24.99 on DAZN
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May.
You can watch the fight for £24.99 with DAZN pay-per-view.
Speaking on behalf of , Crolla also believes Fury has learnt that any attempt to unsettle Usyk is futile. He knows that first hand, having been in the same Manchester hotel in the week that the 37-year-old fought Tony Bellew, proceeding to dismantle the home fighter to unify the cruiserweight division.
“Mind games won’t work on Usyk either. It’s a waste of time,” he continued. “The man has literally fought on the front line at some point. His country’s troubles…..mind games won’t work on him, they’ve never worked on him with anyone.
“I remember being in the hotel when he fought Tony Bellew and someone set the fire alarm off overnight. It was mental, and he just come down for breakfast the next day, walked over to me and Eddie Hearn and said ‘Eddie, good one’ and just starts laughing. I just thought ‘this guy’s just not bothered’.”
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The former WBA lightweight title holder envisages another “very, very close contest,” and has backed his compatriot to edge a win on points. And according to Crolla, he needs victory to cement his legacy.
“The first fight doesn’t get spoken about enough for being a great heavyweight bout,” he added. “If Fury, wants to be seen as the No.1 heavyweight of his generation, well that’s riding on this. If Usyk wins again, no arguments there.”