Ahead of the epic face-off, Moses Itauma offered a glimpse into Tyson Fury‘s mindset. Tomorrow, at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, the former heavyweight champion will step into the ring for another round of dance with Oleksandr Usyk. “He’s a lot different. His mentality has switched,” stated Itauma during the grand arrivals in Riyadh. There’s some unanimity in the notion. Looking fit, Tyson Fury appears more focused. Keeping a low profile, he aims at the target ahead—seeking revenge for the only career loss against the man who denied him a historic opportunity.

With the momentous undisputed title at stake, the two heavyweights met on the ‘Ring of Fire’ seven months ago. Though he managed to rein in Usyk, the loss of a few early rounds—and more significantly, the ninth-round knockdown—allowed the match to slip away from the Mancunian’s grasp. The Ukrainian champion won the match by a split decision. He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis held the honors in 1999. Whether Tyson Fury’s resurged confidence will ultimately translate into success in the ring or morph into something else, fans are waiting with bated breath to see. So ahead of the big clash, let’s check out a few details.

Height and Reach Showdown: Will Fury’s Length Dominate?

When it boils down to sheer physicality, there’s no rival to ‘The Gypsy King’. Standing at six feet and nine inches, or 206 centimeters, and boasting a mammoth reach of 85 inches, or 216 centimeters, Fury, who turned 36 four months ago, dominates the landscape with élan. His southpaw rival, who will turn 37 on January 17 and shares a birthday with Muhammad Ali, swaggers with a height of 6 feet and three inches, or 191 centimeters, and records a reach extending 78 inches or 198 centimeters.

The final weigh-ins of their rematch are scheduled for later today. Before the details filter in, one might as well recall their first match. Weighing 262 pounds, Tyson Fury stepped into the ring nearly 29 pounds heavier than Oleksandr Usyk, who registered a weight of 233.5 pounds. Ahead of the rematch, Fury nevertheless gave some hints. He may show up with a career-heaviest weight.

The loss to Usyk remains the sole blot on ‘The Gypsy King’s otherwise outstanding career. Wading through two world championships, including the lineal title, he began his journey sixteen years ago. The scion of a family deeply rooted in boxing traditions, Fury sharpened his skills over the years and became one of the best heavyweight champions of recent times. 24 out of his 34 wins came via knockouts. Named after ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, the Manchester-born fighter thus records a knockout-to-win rate of 70%.

For ‘The Cat’, it’s been a dream run. Checking all the boxes, Oleksandr Usyk reached the pinnacle of his amateur career before professional boxing lured him in. Usyk, who made his debut five years after Fury, followed in the footsteps of his idol, Evander Holyfield. An undisputed cruiserweight championship preceded his success in the glamour division above. With an unbeaten record of 22 fights, the Ukrainian unified champion boasts a competitive 64% knockout-to-win rate.

David vs. Goliath? A Deep Dive into Usyk vs. Fury

If the first fight was difficult to predict, the second one appears even tougher. Nevertheless, almost everyone seems to agree: it isn’t the same Tyson Fury who entered the ring on May 18. The Mancunian looks much sharper and more focused. Could the air in Malta have something to do with it?

Nevertheless, a close look at the odds suggests that keeping all things equal, Oleksandr Usyk will enter the ring as a slight favorite. Just like last time, the fight is expected to be highly competitive. Nevertheless, Usyk enjoys a marginal edge in the betting markets. A draw, while possible, is considered a long shot.

As the days draw closer, the shift in odds is to be expected. A Forbes article mentioned that, as of December 16, Usyk had -150 odds of winning against the +125 underdog Fury. Two days ago, the Ukrainian’s odds decreased to -145, while Fury still remains the underdog with +125 odds.

During the interview, Moses Itauma, who incidentally will fight Demsey McKean on the undercard of his friend and sparring partner Tyson Fury, shared how for Fury it is no longer about money. “I don’t think Tyson’s doing this for the money,” he said, mentioning that it was actually about giving a sound drubbing to Oleksandr Usyk. “If he did do it for the money, he would have packed a long time ago, so with that in mind, people need to bear that in mind. Like Saturday night, it’s going to be Tyson Fury coming to fight, coming to win,” added the talented heavyweight.

Until the battle is over, Oleksandr Usyk prefers to keep his thoughts about his fearsome rival under wraps. BBC Sports checked what he learned about ‘The Gypsy King’ after their May 18 duel. The London Olympics gold medal winner replied, “A little bit I learned, but I will not talk (share) to you now.”

Technical Genius vs. Unorthodox Brilliance: What to Expect

So, will it be a similar game plan to what fans saw at the Kingdom Arena seven months ago? Lunging from the inside, Oleksandr Usyk may connect with powerful lefts. Then, to neutralize any advantage, Tyson Fury will exploit his opponent’s well-known weakness—the body—throwing torpedo shots to disrupt Usyk’s rhythm. And let’s not forget the uppercuts that visibly shook ‘The Cat’.

One thing is clear: Fury has made his intentions known. Wary of an unfavorable outcome, he may not wait for the scorecards. “I’m going to beat him that bad on Saturday; he isn’t going to want a rematch,” he told Sky Sports. Previously, he had nearly three advisors in his corner. That may not be the case this time. While longtime trainer Sugar Hill Steward will remain, Tyson Fury’s father, John Fury, may not be joining.

Followers won’t miss Usyk’s outboxing display. Always a purist’s delight, the Ukrainian champion will use his slick footwork to move around. It will be difficult for Fury to settle and organize his game. Unlike last time, though, Usyk will be more guarded as the middle rounds approach. This stretch typically tends to gas him out. Supremely confident in his ability to hand Fury a consecutive career defeat, Usyk may still get back into the game during the championship rounds, potentially aiming for a scorecard decision.

Hence, those anticipating an early stoppage may be looking to Tyson Fury to deliver that deadly shot in which he seems so confident.

The $190 million fight has raised the stakes for both boxers. In the past, Tyson Fury, despite losing, walked away with the lion’s share of the payday. However, this time, as the reigning champion, Oleksandr Usyk is expected to reap the benefits of the windfall.

Nevertheless, as many believe, for both Fury and Usyk—who are gradually approaching the tail end of their illustrious careers—it’s no longer just about money. A win for Usyk would secure his place among the greatest heavyweights of all time. For ‘The Gypsy King,’ a victory would not only redeem his career but also solidify the everlasting legacy he’s always felt belongs to him.

What’s your take? Who are you rooting for—the champion or the challenger?