By the time Oleksandr Usyk steps onto the canvas, the noise is a roar; a cacophonous assault on the senses, a primal wall-of-sound overwhelmed by the white heat of battle.

• Read more | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: Date, UK start time, fight card, how to watch heavyweight title rematch

And yet, through this all-encompassing sensory overload, the Ukrainian says he can hear only one voice after he has taken his final instructions from his coach and his team.

"My wife," he says, a small smile dancing across his featues. "“Come on, I love you, you can.” I can hear her [when I am in the ring]. “I love you, you're strong", yes."

It seems remarkable, even at ringside, that the Simferopol-born superstar known as The Cat to his fans might be able to hear those words, especially in the kind of fights he takes.

But then again, Usyk has shown a near-superhuman focus to reach the summit in not just one but two boxing divisions - and this month, he could cement his all-timer status.

"One of those enigmas"

At Riyadh Season's Reignited, the two-weight champion and former undisputed heavyweight king of the world will face Tyson Fury for the second time live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

It is the second chapter of what may emerge as the sport's definitive story of the decade, pitting Usyk once more against the man arguably best equipped to stop him in the ring.

Yet it is that resilience that has served him so well time and again. It is why being able to only hear his wife's voice highlights his singular determination and focus every time.

At thirty-seven, with less than two-dozen professional fights since an amateur career rewarded him with gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, his pedigree is unshakeable.

But it has been his growth over the past decade or so that allowed him to hand Fury a first ever career loss when they met at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia last May.

 

 

"He’s one of these enigmas, because he’s quite silly [outside of the ring]," suggests ex-WBC light middlweight champion Sergio Mora on DAZN's 'Witnessing Greatness' documentary. "But once he gets in there, it’s all business.

"Oleksandr is a great champion because of footwork. Footwork and high fight IQ, and how he dissects opponents from that southpaw stance."

Usyk is among rare company there. Most champions in the heavyweight decision - at least, the ones who live long in the memory - were orthadox fighters in their approach.

His southpaw intelligence has been the kryptonite for rivals, as boxing commentator AK Reyes sums up: "He is one of the best in the business at being able to adjust inside the ring within a fight."

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, whose star man Anthony Joshua fought Usyk twice and came up short, concurs that the star's IQ behind the ropes can help him turn the tide in his favour.

"He’s always moving and pivoting and using his feet and his angles," he adds, laying out the strengths he calls on time and again. "So he actually prefers an aggressive fight."

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

In the footsteps of giants

Then there is the lineage too. Usyk is not the first Ukrainian to become world champion - but his efforts have seen him now step free from the shadow of the Klitschko dynasty.

Brothers Wladimir and Vitali were among the division's greatest names for the first decade-and-a-half of the century, until the former was finally toppled by Fury in 2015.

That adds another intriguing dimension to this contest, as their successor now seeks to land a second - and perhaps definitive - victory against their vanquisher in the Middle East.

But nor is Usyk as taciturn either. At a press conference, he dressed as the character Agent 47 from the Hitman series and had Fury sign a photo of him being decked by his rival.

Tony Bellew, who fought the final bout of his career against Usyk at cruiserweight, thinks the culture-clash differences are what helps to set him apart against the rest of the crop.

"Eastern European guys, they’re just different, the way they’re set out," he muses. "The banter is different, the laughs are different. It’s just a bit nuts, but it’s each to their own."

It certainly has so far, with a 22-0 record that few can match for the calibre of achievement. But Usyk knows he cannot expect a repeat success against a foe nursing his pride.

"Listen. Tyson will be different," he stresses. "But me too, I will be different. I think my second fight... it will be hard."

Come December 21, Usyk will leave Riyadh still undefeated world champion - or he will be plotting a way to avenge a first loss. Either way, he will only hear his wife in the stands.

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries. 

You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. For more information, prices in your region and to buy now, click here.

Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

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