'Serious hurt. A lot of damage': Tyson Fury vows to 'annihilate' Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh

Fury will attempt to avenge his only defeat and join a select band of fighters to have won the heavyweight championship three times

Tyson Fury during a media workout as part of the build up to his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

Tyson Fury has vowed to “annihilate” Oleksandr Usyk when they meet for a second time in Riyadh on Saturday, adding that he does not believe he will be leaving the boxing world any time soon.

Fury suffered the only defeat of his 36-fight career in May when he lost a split decision to Usyk who added the WBC title to his WBA, IBF and WBO straps to unify the heavyweight division for the first time in 24 years.

The IBF title is no longer at stake after it was stripped from the Ukrainian and awarded to Daniel Dubois, ending his brief reign as undisputed champion.

Fury, 36, is ready to avenge that defeat to an opponent he has disparagingly nicknamed "Rabbit" – calling it a first step before taking out the rest of his rivals in boxing's blue riband division.

“Just for the record, I’m going to absolutely annihilate Usyk," Fury told Dazn. “I was very happy with the performance [in the first fight]. I didn’t get the result I wanted, but I was happy overall with what I did. It wasn’t any different to what I thought it would be. He was easier to hit.”

Fury is not even contemplating defeat and said there were no retirement plans. He has oscillated this week between a trilogy fight with Usyk and a blockbuster all-British battle with Anthony Joshua for his next fight, with some observers wondering if complacency has set in with the Usyk rematch by no means a foregone conclusion.

The 'Gypsy King' said he had "tried to walk away many times" from boxing, most recently after pummeling Dillian White via a sixth-round knock out in April 2022.

However, the lure of victory and joining a select band of elite fighters to win the heavyweight championship three times keeps pulling him back.

“I meant it when I retired after Dillian Whyte back in 2022. I really meant that wholeheartedly," Fury said.

“I could have put my hands on the Bible and meant it. But it was very difficult to let it go so I’m not sure if I can ever let it go.

“What brings me back to the ring? Victory, winning the belts and keep going. It’s what I do.”

Fury told reporters this week that money is his main motivator over legacy. Win or lose at Kingdom Arena on Saturday, Fury will be keeping perspective on what it means to step into the ring.

He has spoken openly about his struggle with depression, including a suicide attempt in 2016, and insists that mental health will always be his ultimate battle.

“I don’t think boxing is ever my biggest victory. I’ve come back from suicide, I’ve come back from the depths of despair,” he said.

“So to go in there and get paid a ton of money to do a boxing match with some clown, it’s child’s play compared to what I’ve had to go through. Boxing for me is a game compared to what I’ve had to come through.”

Fury arrived by boat for his open workout at Riyadh’s Boulevard World and, having had his gloves laced up by trainer Sugar Hill Steward, he briefly moved around the ring before his gloves were taken off without a punch being thrown.

The former WBC champion, who declined to say whether he would shave off his beard before the fight given it appears to be in contravention of boxing rules, gave brief answers when interviewed in the ring.

“A lot of pain. Smash and damage. A lot of hurt. Hurt. Serious hurt. A lot of damage,” he said.

In response to Fury, Usyk uttered a simple "OK".

Steward then revealed that himself, second Andy Lee and a cutman will be in the corner on Saturday night in a departure from the first encounter when Fury’s dad John was also present.

The corner work in May was strongly criticised with each of Steward, Lee and Fury Sr giving contradictory advice in between the later rounds.

It was part of a controversial week for Fury Sr, who was left bloodied after head butting a member of Usyk’s entourage.