TYSON FURY goes into his career-defining Oleksandr Usyk undisputed fight feeling his iconic Deontay Wilder wars took YEARS off his life.
The Brit, 35, climbed off the canvas twice to secure a 2018 draw against one of the most vicious punchers of the modern era.
His Lazarus-like revival in the 12th — after a skull–shaking shot — remains the stuff of legend.
Two years later the 6ft 9in Morecambe ace obliterated Wilder in seven sensational rounds to grab the WBC title.
But in the trilogy bout — after weeks sleeping on the floor of Alder Hey Hospital and running laps of the grounds after his daughter Athena was born premature — he was in another thrilling slugfest and survived two round-four knockdowns to triumph in another fight for the ages.
Sadly, when the father-of-seven — usually more prone to trash talk and tall tales — reflects on those magnificent moments he fears they have chipped away at his life expectancy.
With a new steely sincerity this four-belt fight seems to have brought out of him, Fury said: “I believe that.
“I believe every time you go in the ring you leave with less than you had when you went in. It takes a little bit more out of you.
“But it’s a good job I live for today and don’t think about the future otherwise I’d be screwed.”
In trademark Fury showman style he quotes his Lord and Saviour next — as well as Sylvester Stallone.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
He said: “There is no tomorrow. As Apollo Creed said to Rocky: ‘In my faith there is no tomorrow’.
“Jesus said he’d come back like a thief in the night, no time, date or hour. So be prepared and live for today as tomorrow ain’t promised.
“There are a few people I’ve known who went to bed and didn’t wake up, so every day is a blessing so I take that and enjoy every day.
“Whenever people ask how I am, I say I’m alive, which is a good start.”
Former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk, 37, does not wield the same power as Alabama slammer Wilder — who idiotically claims to want a ‘body on his record’.
But Fury still underwent a gruelling camp sparring hundreds of rounds.
And, if his new Saudi paymasters want to maximise his pulling power, he wants the mega-money autumn of his career over quickly — after watching the years fly by as daughter Venezuela approaches her 15th birthday in September.
And contemplating the five years that has lapsed since his first Wilder battle and with a click of his fingers, he said: “Five years have passed like that. 2019 feels like yesterday.
“My daughter was a little girl then and now she’s massive.
“When you’re doing something and doing your thing, years pass by quite quickly.
“So I’m not too concerned about the negative stuff about staying around and boxing.
“If it’s ten fights over the next five years then I want them quickly. If I’m going to have them, let’s rack them up quickly.”
The Wilder draw sparked a drastic change in Fury’s style, overnight he transformed from a gangly and elusive jab-and-mover to a 20st power puncher and crushed Wilder in the return, Tom Schwarz and Dillian Whyte.
It remains to be seen which Fury will turn up in Riyadh on Saturday to take on the little southpaw Usyk, who bamboozled Anthony Joshua over two one-sided fights.
Surprisingly Fury reckons he was a far better fighter long before his switch from point-scoring pugilist to PPV-selling slugger.
He added: “I was probably better back then. I was younger, in my early 20s, now I’m in my mid-30s.
“I was a better fighter 12 years ago, I had the fountain of youth, now I have the wisdom of age.
“My youth has evaded me and my experience has to take over, I’m no spring chicken.
“If you look at the greats, when they were 35 they were said to be finished and over the hill. I’ve got to put youth to one side and use my experience and mentality.”
Meanwhile, Fury has told Joshua his week-long Riyadh trip will be a waste of time.
AJ, 35, landed in the Saudi capital on Sunday night and will watch his two-time conqueror Usyk take on Fury.
But any chance he might be able to jump in and fight Fury next — kiboshing the mega-money rematch clause — have been floored by the Gypsy King.
The 6ft 9in Morecambe ace said: “There’s not much he can build because we have a two-fight deal, so he has to wait until it’s all over. Then we can negotiate. And it’s always about money in these deals.
“All fights are easy to make in any weight division.”
But if Fury demolishes Usyk, why would he not move to rip-up a pointless rerun and move on to the biggest fight in British boxing history?
WBC champ Fury grinned and said: “What are we in this for? Money. If I can get double bubble for one job, there’s not much more to be said.”
TYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.
The two-time heavyweight champion is not known for pulling his punches and lets both his fists and mouth do the talking.
Fury has seven children with wife Paris and recently hinted another is on the way.
Their family life is set to hit the screen again with season two of At Home With The Furys being filmed for Netflix.
The Gypsy King is Love Island star Tommy’s older brother.
He is heading for a £200million showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua and on track to become boxing’s first billionaire.
But daughter Venezuela has taken a cheeky pop at her dad for his bargain-hunting ways.
Despite boasting a monster car collection, he can often be seen pottering around town in a VERY modest motor.
Fury has opened up on his mental health struggles and shared insights into the diet behind his incredible body transformations.
As well as his talents in the ring, the Morecambe mauler is known for serenading fans in the ring and incredible bespoke, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, fight-week suits.
Check out all our Tyson Fury stories here.
