Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have to be pulled apart after TEN-MINUTE stare-off at final press conference ahead of heavyweight rematch – as Gypsy King promises to do ‘f****** damage’
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk were tense for more than ten minutes in the final press conference ahead of their blockbuster rematch.
After an extravagant event, complete with live music and attended by some of the biggest names in prizefighting, the heavyweight rivals faced off on stage.
Despite the best efforts of World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, the pair faced off for more than ten minutes, with both men trying to gain a psychological advantage over their opponent.
When the dust settled, fans took to social media to express their excitement for what promises to be another momentous event in Riyadh.
One wrote: ‘Fury and Usyk just stare into space for ten minutes, neither wanting to lose eye contact or show weakness first.
“I’m so hyped for this fight.”
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk faced off for the final time ahead of their rematch on Saturday
The heavyweight rivals faced off for over ten minutes before parting ways
In his pre-fight comments, Fury vowed to remain fully focused on his job as he looks to avenge his only professional defeat.
Another said: ‘Usyk is a cold man. Fury is right: this will be something special.
A third agreed: “Tell me why I’m more worried about Usyk now than I was in May.
“Fury just seems more dialed-in. Maybe it’s just mind games, I don’t know. Can’t wait for Saturday’
With their highly anticipated showdown just two days away, both fighters were faced with questions in front of the assembled media in attendance.
Fury took to the stage first, wearing an extravagant black and white suit topped with a black fedora.
Not to be outdone, Usyk then joined him on stage, accompanied by a live musical performance, complete with backing choir and brass section.
Asked for his thoughts on the rematch, Fury kept his answer unusually short: “I’m going to dish out a lot of pain.
“I’m definitely going to put this son of a bitch in the casualty locker.
Fans took to social media to express their excitement about the highly anticipated showdown
He continued, “I have nothing to say except that there is going to be a lot of hurt and pain in this fight that you are watching.
‘That’s all I have to say. The talking is done. You know, the first fight I spoke, I joked, throughout my career.
‘I’m serious this time. I’m gonna do some damn damage here on Saturday night. See how I’m going to work on this.’
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn insisted Fury has what it takes to emerge victorious in the rematch.
“All I’ll say is people ask me all the time who’s going to win this fight,” Hearn said.
“Oleksandr Usyk is an incredible fighter and it will take something extraordinary to beat him on Saturday night, but I know we have had our disagreements, Tyson Fury is capable of extraordinary things.
‘I think of his victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany. I watched that in a hotel on a laptop in America, I thought he had absolutely no chance. He won every round.
‘When he fought Deontay Wilder in America, I thought he had absolutely no chance. He was robbed during the first fight. He beat him to pieces in the second fight.
Usyk emerged victorious when the pair met in the ring for the first time in a twelve-round clash in May
The undisputed two-division champion is yet to taste defeat in his professional career
‘Two generations, great heavyweights, two credits for the sport. May God bless you both on Saturday evening. But most of all, I can’t believe I’m saying it. May Tyson’s wrath triumph for Britain on Saturday night.’
Despite the best efforts of World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman, the pair faced off for more than ten minutes, with Fury becoming increasingly animated as it went on.
When the pair first met in the ring in May, Usyk handed Fury the first defeat of his professional career to claim the undisputed heavyweight title.
After a thrilling opening, Fury enjoyed success through the middle rounds that night, before the Ukrainian rallied as the fight progressed.
In the ninth round, Usyk overwhelmed his bigger opponent, peppering Fury with a series of returned blows that prompted the referee to count a standing eight.
Once again, the Gypsy King demonstrated his uncanny ability to bounce back from setbacks by clawing his way back into the fight in the closing rounds, but that ultimately wasn’t enough and Usyk was declared the winner on two of the three judges’ scorecards.
HOW TO WATCH: Register and watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN here