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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 18: Tyson Fury punches Oleksandr Usyk during the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Undisputed Heavyweight titles’ fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at Kingdom Arena on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 18: Tyson Fury punches Oleksandr Usyk during the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Undisputed Heavyweight titles’ fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at Kingdom Arena on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Can former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury avenge his loss to former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on December 21st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia? Following a closely contested first fight, fans and experts alike are divided on the matter. Meanwhile, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has shared his take on Fury’s future in the bout.
Back in May, despite Fury’s best efforts, the Ukrainian got the upper hand in their fight and even scored a knockdown by forcing Fury to hold on to the ropes for dear life in the ninth round en route to a split decision win. However, ‘The Gypsy King’ has promised things will be different this time around, as he plots his revenge.
While appearing in an interview with IFL TV recently, Lewis, who defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999 to become the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the 20th century, spoke on Fury’s chances of flipping the script in December. “The first fight was an amazing fight,” Lewis recollected. “You had two great heavyweights up there undefeated. It can only be one champion, one winner and we found out it was Oleksandr Usyk.”
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October 2, 2018 – Kiev, Ukraine – Ex Heavyweight Boxing champion Lennox Lewis gestures during an authographs signing event on the 56th WBC ( World Boxing Council ) Convention in Kiev, Ukraine, 02 October, 2018. The 56th WBC Convention takes place in Kiev from September 30 to October 05. The event participate of boxing legends Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Eric Morales, Alexander Usik, Vitali Klitschko and about 700 congress participants from 160 countries. 56th WBC Convention in Kiev PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAn230 20181002_zaa_n230_841 Copyright: xStrx
Lewis explained that Fury goes through phases of highs and lows, noting, “Right now, he’s down, but he’s pretty focused on getting back up.” When asked about whether Tyson can win the rematch, Lewis told IFL TV, “I think he has the potential to do it.” But Lewis threw the credit (or the caution) back to Fury himself, saying those early rounds would set the tone!
Meanwhile, ‘The Lion’ Lewis also commented on Fury’s corner debacle that had the public buzzing back in May.
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Lennox Lewis reminds Tyson Fury ‘You can’t make it without a great team’
During the last fight, John Fury, Tyson’s father, joined the usual crew made of trainers SugarHill Steward and Andy Lee. What ensued next was pure chaos, with instructions coming from every which way. Social media was abuzz with criticism thrown at Fury Sr., suggesting his presence caused ‘The Gypsy King’ to suffer his first career loss.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Tyson Fury with father John Fury relax in the cafe before a media workout at the Peacock Gym on February 25, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
What’s your perspective on:
Is Tyson Fury's team his greatest asset or his Achilles' heel in the Usyk rematch?
Have an interesting take?
There were even some rumors that Fury may change his corner, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Regardless, reflecting on the situation, Lennox Lewis said, “If he’s happy with his team and he feels very positive about them, then it should be a good outcome because you have to have a good team with you and you can’t make it without a great team.”
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Despite Tyson Fury’s track record, Lennox Lewis seems cautious about picking him as the favorite in the upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk. And understandably so—their first clash was incredibly close, and this rematch feels like it could swing either way. What are your thoughts? Who do you think has the edge in this fight?
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Is Tyson Fury's team his greatest asset or his Achilles' heel in the Usyk rematch?