NEW DELHI: Tensions escalated between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk during the weigh-in on Friday, setting the stage for their historic undisputed heavyweight clash. Fury, shirtless and visibly agitated, confronted Usyk, pushing him and unleashing a barrage of expletives.
The British boxer declared his intention to knock out his opponent, stating, "We're ready to rock and roll, so fireworks tomorrow night. I'm going knock (him) spark out."
Fury's focus was not on the belts, but rather on defeating Usyk decisively. "I'm coming for his heart, that's what I'm coming for. (Forget) his belts. I'm coming for his heart, he's getting it tomorrow, spark out!" The crowd responded with cheers to Fury's passionate outburst.
At the weigh-in, Fury tipped the scales at 262 pounds (118.8 kilos), a notable reduction from his previous fight, while Usyk weighed in at 233.5lb, heavier than his usual fighting weight of 221lb. When asked about his exchange with Fury, Usyk calmly replied, "Don't be afraid, I won't leave you tomorrow." He attributed his composure to his plan, stating that nervousness would hinder his chances of victory.
The upcoming fight on Saturday marks the first undisputed heavyweight clash since 1999, with both undefeated fighters vying for all four major belts. Earlier in the week, tensions had already flared when Fury's father, John, headbutted a member of Usyk's entourage, resulting in a bloody wound on his forehead.
Despite the heated build-up, both fighters remained relatively reserved during the final press conference on Thursday. Fury expressed his intention to pray for Usyk, while the Ukrainian fighter penned a poem.
Fury's weight has fluctuated throughout his career, with his heaviest being 277.7lb against Francis Ngannou in October, a fight in which he appeared sluggish and was knocked down before securing a split decision victory. His lightest weight was 245.5lb against Vinny Maddalone in 2012, and he weighed 247lb for his landmark win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
In contrast, Usyk, a former cruiserweight, has maintained a consistent weight during his heavyweight career, typically weighing in at around 221lb for his victories over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022, and 220lb against Daniel Dubois last year.
(Inputs from AFP)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment