Eddie Hearn admits he is leaning towards Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury again when they rematch later this year.
Hearn was watching on from ringside, as Usyk edged past Fury by split decision to win the undisputed heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia last month.
The Ukrainian staggered ‘The Gypsy King’ into the ropes in the ninth round, with the referee ruling a knockdown.
The pair agreed to a two-fight deal and will meet for a second time on December 21 in Riyadh.
Hearn feels Usyk is the favourite heading into the rematch, but insists the result could depend on who has regressed more.
Asked if Fury beats Usyk in a rematch, the Matchroom Chairman told IFLTV: “I think I’d have to say no at the moment.
“In a fight like that where it goes to points and there wasn’t a freak knockout or shot from the gods.
“It was a fight won on ability.
“You’d always favour the guy that won the fight.
“But I thought it was a very close fight, Tyson’s a great fighter.
“It also depends how much that took out of both guys, because it was a gruelling fight.”
Usyk, became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999 and the inaugural undisputed ruler in the four-belt era.
The 37-year-old was expected to be stripped by the IBF following the fight, but he has requested an exemption from the governing body to enable the belt to be on the line for the rematch.
Daniel Dubois secured the interim IBF heavyweight crown with an eighth round stoppage over Filip Hrgovic on Saturday and the Brit will be elevated to full champion should the IBF decide to strip Usyk.
Dubois is expected to face Anthony Joshua on September 21 at Wembley Stadium, although Hearn says the prospect of an all-British showdown hinges on the title being at stake.
“From our point of view,” the 44-year-old told Pro Boxing Fans on Wednesday.
“If the world title is on the line against Daniel Dubois, he’s the frontrunner.
View this post on Instagram
“If it’s not, then we’ll probably fight someone else.
“Zhilei Zhang, Joseph Parker.
“I don’t know, but the plan for us is to try and position ourselves or win the world heavyweight title and if that’s available against Daniel Dubois and if that’s available against Daniel Dubois, then I think that’s the right fight.
“But again, nothing’s been decided.”
