In a dramatic showdown ahead of their highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk engaged in a tense ten-minute staredown that left onlookers stunned. The confrontation, following their post-press conference face-off, required intervention from security and their respective teams to break up.
The heavyweight rivals are set to clash on Saturday, just seven months after Usyk secured a split-decision victory in their first encounter, becoming the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history.
Fury, 37, and Usyk, 36, locked eyes in a battle of wills during the ceremonial face-off. Initially silent, the encounter escalated as Fury hurled verbal jabs while Usyk maintained his composure. Attempts by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and others to defuse the situation—using props such as a media pass and even a napkin—proved futile.
The heated exchange finally ended when security managed to separate the fighters, who left without further incident.
In the lead-up to the rematch, Fury has vowed to take a more serious approach, departing from the showboating that marked their first encounter. “I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain,” Fury declared. “This fight, I’m serious. I’m going to do some f***ing damage.”
Usyk, undeterred by Fury’s threats, is prepared to defend his legacy and prove his dominance in the division. However, the Ukrainian fighter relinquished his IBF title to make the rematch possible, allowing Daniel Dubois to inherit the belt.
With tensions running high and the stakes even higher, the Fury-Usyk rematch promises to be a defining moment in heavyweight boxing. Fans around the globe eagerly await the outcome of this heated rivalry, which has already delivered unforgettable drama before the first bell.
