Frank Warren has claimed Tyson Fury knows what he has to do to beat Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight title rematch, as the promoter suggested their first encounter took more of a toll on the Ukrainian.
Fury is seeking to enact revenge on his Ukrainian opponent after having his undefeated record shattered as Usyk became unified heavyweight champion in May.
The boxers are set to clash again in Saudi Arabia's capital city Riyadh on December 21.
Usyk had triumphed via a split decision verdict earlier this year, despite Fury insisting post-fight that he should have been declared the winner.
Warren, who co-promotes Fury, has suggested the aftermath of the fight showed that Usyk had been more impacted by the bruising encounter than the Gypsy King.
‘I do [think it took a toll on Usyk], in that particular fight," Warren told Sky Sports.
‘I went to both the fighters' dressing rooms afterwards. I was in Tyson's dressing room and obviously he was very disappointed, he felt he'd done enough to win the fight. It was a close fight.
‘There was a lot of life in him and I went into the dressing room to congratulate Oleksandr and he knew he'd been in a tough fight, that's the toughest fight he's ever had.'
Warren had cited concerns from Usyk's management that their fighter had broken his jaw during the fight.
The Ukrainian having been taken to hospital amid concerns over his jaw, but was cleared of having suffered any damage.
Usyk later showed off surface injuries from the encounter, including two black eyes, bruised knuckles and a stitched eyebrow.
Warren believes Fury can triumph against Usyk in their rematch later this month if he approaches the fight in a similar manner and uses his physical advantages.
He believes the additional knowledge gained from the first fight will also help Fury's pursuit of revenge in the rematch.
'He [Fury] knows what he's got to do. He knows better than me, you, anybody,' Warren said. 'He's been in the ring with him, he's seen the guy's strengths and weaknesses.
'They each know each other's weaknesses and can they exploit them?
'Who's going to have the wherewithal to do that and for me, my gut feeling about it and I like to think what I know about the sport, I think he will capitalise on it.'
Fury and Usyk will meet for the second time at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles on the line.
Fury has suggested he could have a third bout against his currently unbeaten opponent but he accepts he will need to win the rematch first.
