Eddie Hearn has made a dramatic U-turn on who he thinks will triumph in the fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk just two weeks before the heavyweights meet for their rematch.

The Ukrainian beat the Gypsy King on points in May to become the undisputed world champion, coming back from a rocky few rounds in the middle of the bout to finish strongly.

Indeed, Usyk almost put Fury away in the ninth round of an absorbing fight, rocking the Brit with a flurry of 14 unanswered punches which left his opponent leaning on the ropes for support.

The 36-year-old somehow survived the onslaught and made it to the end of the contest but the Ukrainian has recently claimed he can learn from the first bout and perform even better in the rematch.

The fight is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on December 21, with the Gypsy King seeking revenge following his only career loss to date.

Promoter Hearn has now joined those giving their pre-bout predictions, in an interview with iFL TV, and has sensationally changed his mind from the last time he previewed the contest.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has now backed Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk in a huge U-turn

The Ukrainian beat Fury on points in May to become undisputed world heavyweight champion

But Hearn is anticipating a revenge-fuelled victory for the Gypsy King in Saudi Arabia

He said: ‘If Fury wins – and I’m actually leaning towards him, I’ve had a little bit of a [switch] – Fury could fight AJ [Anthony Joshua] for the unified world heavyweight title.

‘The biggest fight ever in the sport. Wembley, Riyadh, wherever.’

This marks a change of heart for the 45-year-old Matchroom Sport chairman after he predicted a Usyk win just weeks ago in a conversation with the same YouTube channel.

‘I have no idea how to beat [Usyk], but Tyson Fury is a very smart fighter,’ he said in October.

‘He has smart people in the corner, but also, from an IQ level in boxing, he’s right up there. Unfortunately, so is Oleksandr Usyk. So, my money, especially when he’s won the first fight, will always be on Oleksandr Usyk.

‘My heart wants to see a Tyson Fury win. Not just because he’s British but also because I want to set up the AJ fight.

‘I’d love to see him do it, but I do see him as the underdog in this fight.’

Hearn’s remarks come after the Gypsy King confirmed plans last week for a third bout against his currently unbeaten opponent before accepting that he would need to win the rematch first.

The Matchroom promoter admitted he wanted Fury to win, to sit up a bout with Anthony Joshua

AJ was defeated by a dominant Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September

As for Fury – he has suggested a trilogy match between him and Oleksandr Usyk could take place