A fully clothed Tyson Fury weighed in at a career-heavy 20st 1lb for Saturday’s heavyweight world title fight against champion Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian Usyk will defend his WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO titles against two-time champion Fury at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
Dressed in a leather jacket, white trousers, and a baseball cap, Fury weighed in four stone heavier than his opponent. He appeared more relaxed than earlier in the week, shaking hands with Usyk’s team. However, the 36-year-old Briton seemed eager to complete the weigh-in, breaking eye contact after only seven seconds during their final face-off. This contrasted with their intense 11-minute face-off a day prior. Fury left the weigh-in without granting an on-camera interview.
Usyk, wearing a tracksuit, tipped the scales at 16st 1lb, five pounds lighter than in their first fight. His brief comment on his feelings was, “Nothing.” The 37-year-old previously edged a split-decision victory in May, handing Fury his first career loss.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren expressed confidence in an exciting fight, stating, “You can analyze it anyway you like, but tomorrow night you’re going to find out who is the best. Both of them will come to fight. We are going to see something extra, extra special.”
Teams Locked in “Beardgate” & Officials Dispute
Beyond the weigh-in, the fighters’ teams are embroiled in disputes over a replacement official and the length of Fury’s beard. Fury’s bristly beard, which he claims adds strength, has come under scrutiny. Boxing rules typically limit facial hair to avoid further damage to cuts. Although cleared during a rules meeting, Usyk’s team plans to challenge this further. Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, referenced WBC regulations stipulating that facial hair should not cushion punches.
Additionally, Fernando Barbosa, initially one of the three judges, is unable to attend due to illness. Steve Weisfeld and Ignacio Robles have been flown in as replacements, but disagreements between the teams persist over which judge should serve. Warren suggested resolving the matter with a coin toss.
Fury & Usyk Set for Another Lucrative Pay Day
The weigh-in, held at a garden-themed theme park, attracted slightly more attendees than other fight week events. The event included traveling British fans and some Saudis visiting the theme park. Criticism of low attendance at blockbuster boxing events in Saudi Arabia remains, as local interest struggles to grow at a significant pace.
While Usyk vs. Fury could sell out any UK stadium, the fighters benefit from the substantial investment by Saudi organizers. Reports suggest the fighters will share a prize purse of £150m, though the split remains undisclosed. Fury reportedly earned up to £85m for the first fight, compared to Usyk’s £35m.
- External Link: BBC News
- Internal Link: Eurasia Sports
