In a highly anticipated heavyweight title clash set to occur this Saturday, Tyson Fury, donned in a leather jacket, white trousers, and a baseball cap, weighed in at an impressive 20 stones and 1 pound. This marks the heaviest weight of his career, a significant four stones heavier than his opponent, Oleksandr Usyk. The match is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Kingdom Arena, where Usyk will be defending his WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO titles.
Fury’s weigh-in on the eve of the fight showcased a relaxed demeanor, a stark contrast to the intense pre-fight tension displayed throughout the week. Notably, during a brief face-off with Usyk, Fury appeared eager to conclude the event, turning away after only seven seconds. This was a marked shift from their earlier encounter where they faced off for an extensive eleven minutes. It seems Fury was keen to avoid prolonged tension before the fight and did not engage in an on-camera interview afterwards.
On the other hand, Oleksandr Usyk, representing Ukraine, weighed in at 16 stones and 1 pound while also fully dressed in a tracksuit. This made it somewhat challenging to assess the fighters’ conditioning and physical readiness for the bout. Interestingly, this weight is five pounds less than Usyk’s weight from their previous encounter in May, during which he narrowly defeated Fury, marking Fury’s first career loss. Usyk’s nonchalant response, “Nothing,” when inquired about his feelings further cemented the calm yet competitive atmosphere of the pre-fight activities.
Returning to the weigh-in spectacle, Tyson Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, highlighted that the match promises to deliver an exceptional showcase of boxing talent. He affirmed that both fighters are prepared to leave everything in the ring, ominously stating that this bout will reveal who truly reigns supreme.
Beyond the ceremony of the weigh-in, the fight is clouded with some disputes between the teams regarding a replacement official and a peculiar disagreement dubbed ‘beardgate.’ Fury’s beard, he asserts, provides him with added strength however, boxing regulations dictate certain limitations on the length of facial hair. Usyk’s team is contesting that Fury’s beard may offer him an unfair cushion against punches, igniting further controversy in the already heated rivalry.
Amidst the disputes, it also came to light that Fernando Barbosa, one of the designated judges, could not travel to Riyadh due to illness. His absence required the replacement of two officials, Steve Weisfeld and Ignacio Robles, resulting in contentious discussions among the fighters’ camps regarding which judge should be involved, with Warren humorously suggesting they use a coin toss to resolve their disagreement.
As they prepare for an enormous payday from this event, both fighters are expected to split a whopping £150 million, although precise divisions of the purse remain shrouded in secrecy. Previous estimates suggest Fury earned around £85 million for their last encounter compared to Usyk’s £35 million payday.
The weigh-in drew a modest crowd, featuring both travelling British fans and local Saudi spectators who merely happened to be visiting the venue during fight week. Despite the significant stakes involved, there has been ongoing criticism about the attendance levels at boxing events in Saudi Arabia. Enthusiasm is deemed to be lacking compared to the fervent support that UK venues demonstrate for major boxing matches.
Overall, as Fury and Usyk prepare to rekindle their rivalry, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown. Boxing fans worldwide will be keen to see how each fighter’s strategies play out after the flair and drama surrounding the weigh-in. This match is not just about titles but also redemption for Fury and the reaffirmation of Usyk’s prowess in the heavyweight division.
