Oleksandr Usyk believes Tyson Fury is the hardest opponent he has ever faced, but stresses he expects a different fight to their first bout when they meet in their rematch.
The pair meet on December 21 at Riyadh Arena after the Ukrainian prevailed in their original meeting earlier this May, with all the action live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
- Read more | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: Date, UK start time, fight card, how to watch heavyweight title rematch
Usyk joined a rare band of heavyweights to become unidsputed world champion, handing Fury a first-ever career loss when the pair of them met in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on DAZN's FACE OFF before their upcoming bout, the former admitted he was looking forward to their rematch, and suggested he is the toughest foe he has faced.
"Because Tyson knows what I do abd I know what Tyson, it will be a different fight," he said. "I think [he is my toughest rival].
"Listen, I have much respect for all my opponents because it’s boxing, it’s a tough sport. It’s a very dangerous sport.
"This man is very famous around the world, he’s a big man, I’m a small man, he is a big man. But we have a second fight.
"Boxing, it’s not a play. Boxing is a hard sport. [It is] tough, When I’m back home after a fight, my body tells me [to not do it again]."
Usyk, unbeaten across multiple weights, could well go for a trilogy with Fury if he loses for the first time, but otherwise may head back to cruiserweight.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.
You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. Click here for more information and to buy now.
Purchasing the Usyk vs Fury 2 PPV before December 4 will automatically enter you into a prize draw to win a VIP trip for two people to Riyadh to watch the fight ringside. Click here for more information on this incredible prize and to enter.
Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.
The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.
More Usyk vs. Fury 2
- WIN a VIP trip to Riyadh to watch Usyk vs. Fury 2
- List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut?
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 fight guide
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard guide
- There's no fear there!' - Tyson Fury compares Oleksandr Usyk to threat of Deontay Wilder ahead of rematch
- Fury predicts specific ending to heavyweight title rematch
- 'He has to conquer his own self first!' - Lennox Lewis offers insight into Tyson Fury
- Usyk vs. Fury 2: World champion Daniel Dubois makes prediction for rematch
- Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Bernard Hopkins makes emphatic prediction for heavyweight rematch
- Tyson Fury reveals wife suffered miscarriage on eve of Oleksandr Usyk defeat