Snooker superstar Ronnie O’Sullivan has backed Tyson Fury to triumph in Saturday’s heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, citing insider knowledge from the Gypsy King’s camp.
Speaking from Saudi Arabia, where he is attending the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, O’Sullivan revealed crucial details about Fury’s preparation that have bolstered his confidence in his friend’s chances.
The prediction comes just months after Fury suffered his first professional defeat to Usyk via split decision in May.
O’Sullivan reflected on the first bout, admitting his bias influenced his initial view of Fury’s performance.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is tipping Tyson Fury to win on Saturday
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“I watched it on TV and I thought Fury,” he told talkSPORT. “After about round five or six, I went, ‘Fury’s done it. Usyk can’t carry on.'”
However, the snooker star acknowledged that Usyk found renewed strength late in the fight.
“You have to listen to most of the professionals out there and they did say Usyk maybe edged it,” he conceded.
O’Sullivan’s confidence stems from conversations with Fury’s manager Spencer Brown about the fighter’s enhanced preparation.
“I’m going to go for Fury but only because I heard that his training camp, the first time round, could have been better,” he said.
“I spoke to Spencer and he said ‘this time round, we’ve been in for two or three months – he’s in peak condition’.”
The insight suggests a marked improvement from Fury’s training camp for the first encounter.
Tyson Fury wants revenge on Oleksandr Usyk
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This extended preparation period has convinced O’Sullivan that his friend is better positioned for victory in the rematch.
“The extra five per cent, 10 per cent that he was maybe lacking in the first fight will probably make the difference this time,” O’Sullivan explained.
Despite his confidence in Fury’s improved preparation, O’Sullivan remained measured in his assessment.
“I still think it’s going to be an unbelievable fight though,” he added.
The highly anticipated rematch will determine whether Fury can avenge his sole professional defeat and reclaim the heavyweight world titles from the Ukrainian champion.
The heavyweight clash will be broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view on Saturday, December 21.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is in Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship
PA
Coverage begins at 7:30pm, with talkSPORT also providing live radio commentary.
DAZN’s pay-per-view package includes a seven-day free trial of their streaming service.
New monthly subscribers can also benefit from their first month free when signing up for the bout.
The fight marks one of boxing’s most anticipated rematches, with both Fury’s redemption and Usyk’s titles at stake.
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