Tyson Fury says it would have been “sensible” for him to delay his first heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk, which would have resulted in the Brit incurring a £10m fine.
The first meeting between the pair – ahead of Saturday’s rematch – was originally set for February before a cut above Fury’s right eye saw it pushed back to May, with the caveat that if either fighter delayed the bout further they would be fined £10m of their purse.
Usyk won a thrilling bout on points to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, but Fury believes an uninterrupted build-up to the rematch will aid his chances of victory on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
“This time it’s been a lot easier,” Fury told Sky Sports after arriving in Riyadh on Monday.
“I’ve done lots of sparring and I’ve been able to train properly, whereas before it’s no secret that I didn’t do a lot of sparring, hence I had a massive bounty on my cut eye.
“Thinking sensible, maybe I would have pushed it back a little bit and cost myself £10m, but it doesn’t really matter because we’re here now and I’m going to do the job on Saturday night.”
Sky Sports took a closer look at the psychological battle between Fury and Uysk, as the pair prepare to face off for the second time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fury insists that he has not dwelt on his first professional defeat, which saw him come very close to being stopped as he received a standing count in the ninth round.
“I haven’t processed it at all. I’ve not done any processing,” Fury said.
“All I’ve done is enjoyed my life and lived, and then went into another training camp. And I’ll continue to do the same thing after this fight.”
Fury has his say on whether beating Usyk would be the greatest comeback of his career
While Fury appears confident of delivering an improved display on Saturday, the 36-year-old refused to rule out the possibility that his opponent could also find another level.
He added: “I’m not sure, you know. You can never talk for other people.
“Usyk will do what he’s got to do, and I’ll see him on Saturday night for a big boy fight.”
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s huge heavyweight rematch will be live on Saturday December 21 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
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