LONDON – World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk landed the first blow in his re-match with Tyson Fury, as he got the British fighter to sign a photograph of him being punched in the face by the Ukrainian at a promotional event on Oct 23.

Usyk beat Fury on a split-decision in Saudi Arabia in May to become the four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion and they will fight again in the Gulf State on Dec 21.

Fury had gone 35 professional fights without defeat before he lost to Usyk in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

During a low-key and good-natured news conference at London’s Guildhall, an immaculately-dressed Usyk pulled a photograph out of a briefcase showing him catching Fury in their first duel which he largely dominated.

After asking Fury to autograph it, he got his wish.

“I look like Shrek,” Fury, who walked to table to the sound of Aqua’s Barbie Girl, said as he penned his signature.

“It’s a picture of me taking a big left hand to the jaw.”

Fury, 36, later tickled the 37-year-old Usyk after the obligatory stare down, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Usyk added Fury’s WBC (World Boxing Council) title to his WBA (World Boxing Association), WBO (World Boxing Organisation) and IBF (International Boxing Federation) collection after clinching victory but vacated his IBF title which has since been won by Britain’s Daniel Dubois.

“I’m looking forward to a fantastic fight, Oleksandr won the first fight fair and square,” added Fury, who did most of the talking as he reiterated his belief that he has learnt from the shock of defeat.

“I’ll be a bit more focused, no complacency and there’s nothing drastic I have to change. I will be victorious.

“I believe it’s my time this time and all things that happen, positive or negative, are lessons and we must learn from these things as humans. What we know is to go out there and knock each other out, and to put on a show for the paying customer.”

An Olympic gold medallist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk – unbeaten in 22 professional fights – wore a black suit, red tie and black gloves for the occasion and was calm and composed, as was his opponent.

“Hi everybody, I’m happy to be here. What is my motivation? I don’t have motivation, only my regime, my concentration, this is my motivation,” he said. REUTERS, AFP