As Oleksandr Usyk confessed that the lead-up to major bouts nauseates him, Tyson Fury remained stoically still.

The pair will clash again in December following their boxing match in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. Back in February, Usyk put his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO belts on the line against WBC champion Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk sent Fury to the canvas in the ninth round and nearly sealed the deal, ultimately securing victory by split decision and claiming the undisputed champion status, a feat last achieved by Lennox Lewis – though Usyk had to relinquish his IBF title come June.

With a rematch slated for December 21 in Riyadh, Fury appears intent on not revealing too much to his vocal rival. During a video interview face-to-face with Fury before their upcoming bout, Usyk shared his zest for the actual fight over the grind of training.

“When I come the ring, I live there. Tyson too I think,” Usyk said, earning a nod from Fury. Usyk then added to TNT Sports: “When fighters go to the ring, there is more life. Preparation (gagging noise), training (gagging noise) – watch us fight.”

Despite his earlier acknowledgment, Fury was captured motionless at Usyk’s gagging quote. He instead gazed into the camera, as Usyk downplayed the significance of the rigorous preparation and training for such a significant fight.

Usyk defeated Fury in February

Usyk defeated Fury in February ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“I was scared of him,” Fury then quipped with a laugh. “That’s why I didn’t look at him,” he added, offering a lighthearted explanation for avoiding eye contact during the last fight’s weigh-in replayed on screen.

Amid the footage showing him taunting Usyk against the ropes, Fury exclaimed: “It was great, brilliant, you know I enjoyed it, 35,000 inside Riyadh Season, it was unbelievable and a great experience to be in there. It was a lot of fun.”

Usyk, addressing whether Fury’s silence during their encounter was a form of respect, declared confidently: “Listen, I’m respect. I know Tyson, for me, respect.” When further asked about his feelings walking into the ring to battle Fury, Usyk said in Ukrainian: “Just calm.”

Looking at clips of an injured Fury, Usyk reflected: “I didn’t want to damage him. I know the game of boxing. After the fight, he would go back to his family. For this reason, there’s no need to hurt him.”

As they prepare for their next clash, Usyk heads in as the favorite, poised to defend his collection of titles. Yet, judging by this face-off, Fury seems intent on playing his strategy close, potentially gearing up for a grand surprise in the ring.