OLEKSANDR USYK has revealed the tide-turning blow against Tyson Fury took nine months to prepare.
Usyk came from behind to beat Fury on points in May and become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
And he almost got Rei Cigano out of there in the ninth round, after landing a left hand at the perfect time.
Usyk revealed that it was a shot he practiced for months on end before executing it in his most important fight.
He told the Daily Mail: “It was a planned action that we worked on for nine months.
“It was necessary because it immediately showed in the ring who is boss.
“I was in control the entire time, there were no concerns. The process was ongoing.”
The pair of heavyweight superstars delivered a 12-round thriller in Saudi Arabia that was fiercely competitive.
And Usyk revealed after taking a big punch from Fury midway through and holding on – he knew the fight was his.
He said: “When I wasn’t knocked down by a punch in the sixth round.
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“I felt such a great force behind me that I understood that my strength was nearby, to which I pray.
“Maybe it was even an angel, but I felt some kind of support behind my back, there was no one there (behind me), but the support was felt.”
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 37, are now set to rematch on December 21 in Riyadh.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story