Tyson Fury fends off Oleksandr Usyk in their final showdown ahead of Saturday’s undisputed world heavyweight championship clash, live Sky Sports Ticket Office.
On Friday night in Riyadh, at 262 pounds (18st 10 pounds), Fury was significantly lighter for this contest than his last fight, while Usyk was career heaviest at 233½ pounds (16st 9 pounds), about 12 pounds off more than he had ever achieved before.
During Thursday’s final press conference, Fury refused to make eye contact with Usyk, denying him a steady stare.
This time he stopped at nothing, turning towards Usyk and shoving him. They could not face each other for much longer because the two fighters and their entourages had to be separated.
“We’re ready to rock and roll. Fireworks tomorrow night,” Fury said on stage.
“I’m going to put out this fucking spark. I’m coming for his heart, that’s what I’m coming for.
“F*** his belts, I’m coming for his fucking heart. He’ll get it tomorrow, sparkle.
“F*** him and his whole team too. F*** them all. They can all have it if they want it too, damn houses!”
Usyk was composed after their clash. He didn’t seem intimidated at all.
He also had a final message for Fury: “Don’t be afraid…”
There is so much at stake in this fight.
The undisputed heavyweight champion is historically one of the most famous men in the world. This prize is offered to the winner of this fight, it comes with supremacy in the most important division in boxing.
This fight is all the more important because, finally, it will decide the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt rule and the first sole heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis held that status 25 years ago.
Lewis, as well as heavyweight champions Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes and Wladimir Klitschko were all there just for that.
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Have the mind games started? Tyson Fury refuses to face Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their huge undisputed heavyweight title clash on Saturday
But Fury’s fame is already spreading across the world. A remarkable number of his supporters had arrived in Riyadh and gathered around the stage set up in an open square, applauding loudly.
They were also in full voice hours before Fury appeared on the scale and reached fever pitch by the time the main event fighters showed up.
The staging was fully effective since both arrived in front of a corridor of flames. Usyk danced with his IBF, WBO and WBA titles held up behind him.
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Tyson Fury reveals why he refused to fight Oleksandr Usyk in their final press conference before Saturday’s fight
Usyk was dressed casually in a T-shirt while Fury, already topless, walked with emanating confidence, which quickly turned into, well, you could say fury.
The stage is finally set.
“It’s going to be electric”
Two world title fights are on the agenda for the big show at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday.
Welsh IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina weighed precisely 130 pounds.
“I’ve had two camps in a row, it’s been a long time coming. I’m just happy to be here now,” Cordina said. “More prepared than ever for a fight.
“He knows what’s coming. He’s going to bring it. I’m going to bring it.
“It’s going to be electric.”
Anthony Cacace from Belfast, his challenger weighed 129lb 13oz. “I’m very excited to be here and doing my usual thing,” he said. “I’m just here to fight, I know he’s a very good operator.
“But I’m here to do damage.”
Undefeated Australian standout Jai Opetaia (198.1 lbs) looks to regain the IBF cruiserweight title he never lost in the ring against his former opponent Mairis Briedis (199.1 lbs).
Their first fight was wild, the second will be too. Opetaia warned: “If I have to break my jaw again, so be it, we have to win.”
It is one of the greatest sporting events of a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world on Saturday, May 18, live on Sky Sports Ticket Office. Book the fight now.
