Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk on December 21st.

The heavyweights collide again after their enthralling first battle when the Ukrainian very nearly stopped Fury en-route to victory.

Somehow, ‘The Gypsy King’ survived a torrid round nine but dropped a split-decision verdict to Usyk.

Ahead of this month’s rematch the pair came face-to-face and exchanged words with Usyk as usual being respectful to his rival.

“Because Tyson knows what I do and I know what Tyson, it will be a different fight,” he said about their rematch.

“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].”

 

Despite his loss, Fury is remaining upbeat and is confident that he can topple his rival in the rematch.

“I don’t think I can be any better than what I did,” Fury told Sky Sports.

“Because I think it was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever done in my life.

“Although I didn’t get the result, I thought it was a very fantastic performance against one of my best opponents.”

On what changes he could make for the showdown, Fury believes there are only two improvements to made.

“I can be more focused, and less clowning and I think that’s enough.”