Tyson Fury must believe he’ll do better when he’s heavier.

Fury weighed in on Friday in Riyadh a whopping 281 pounds ahead of his rematch on Saturday against WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Since Usyk weighs 226 pounds, Fury has an impressive weight advantage – or disadvantage – of 55 pounds over his rival in the rematch.

Fury’s size is a huge jump up from what he weighed in May when the two men faced off for the undisputed heavyweight championship. In the first fight, Fury weighed 262 pounds and outweighed Usyk by a hefty 39 pounds.

The 281 pounds is the largest weight Fury has ever been in his 36-fight professional career.

“I’m pretty slim,” Fury told ESPN. “I’m fine except for the big beard. I’m in good shape and fit as a fiddle. I’ll be ready for Saturday night.”

What does this tell us about Fury’s game plan in the rematch?

Although it is not certain, it appears as if Fury wants to physically impose his will on Usyk and is preparing to knock out the champion. This concept seemingly aligns with what Fury has been saying throughout fight week.

All he talked about was hurting Usyk and taking the decision away from the judges. Traditionally, when a heavyweight chooses to compete on the heavier side, it is because the intent is to inflict punishment.

On Usyk’s side, he is in a similar condition to the first fight. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion weighed 223 pounds in the first fight. At that weight, he proved to be the fresher and more effective fighter late in the first meeting.

Will that be the case in the second leg?

That’s obvious – unless Saturday’s fight doesn’t go the distance. Usyk has traditionally outworked his heavyweight opponents. His work rate has been difficult for opponents to keep up with, and one has to wonder if it will be any different with Fury – especially at nearly 300 pounds.

The weight story, added to the relaunch of Ring magazine and accompanied by the presence of two emerging young heavyweights such as Moses Itauma and Johnny Fisher, makes Saturday in Riyadh a special event for boxing and especially for the heavyweight division.

In case you missed it, here’s a look at the entire map:

• Oleksandr Usyk (c) vs Tyson Fury
• Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean
• Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen
• Dennis McCann vs. Peter McGrail
• Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor

Be on the lookout for coverage of the fight, Itauma and Fischer’s results, and the boxing community’s reaction to Usyk-Fury.