Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shared an astonishing face-off that lasted a full 11 minutes and 20 seconds after a fiery final press conference in Riyadh.
In one of the more bizarre head-to-heads in recent memory, the two rivals eyeballed each other for longer than some heavyweight fights actually last.
The staredown began with an intense silence but soon became awkward for those around the fighters. Several attempts were made to separate them but neither was willing to break it off. Eventually, words were exchanged and escalated into a series of threats – mostly from the Fury side – and the deadlock was broken.
Speaking as he left the stage, Usyk said: “Me? [Look away?] No.” The weigh-in takes place on Friday evening and will once again involve a face-off, as is tradition.
Earlier Fury insisted the time for joking is over as he pledged to put unified heavyweight champion Usyk in the “hurt locker” when they clash for the second time on Saturday.
Fury has cut a mean and moody figure at this week’s promotional events and Thursday’s press conference continued along the same lines as the 36-year-old kept the talking to a minimum.
The flashpoint came at the end of the face-off when Fury began taunting Usyk, who hit back with his own insults and a smile, before they were eventually separated.
“I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain. I’m going to put this … in the hurt locker, for sure,” the bearded Fury said.
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Britain's Tyson Fury (R) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk face off during a press conference ahead of their undisputed heavyweight world championship rematch, in Riyadh on December 19, 2024. Fury and Usyk will meet in a 12-round heavyweight rematch in Riyadh on December 21. (Photo by AFP) -
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury stare each other down. Reuters -
Britain's Tyson Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk face off. AFP -
Britain's Tyson Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk attend a press conference. AFP -
Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk at the press conference. AFP -
Britain's Tyson Fury arrives for the press conference. AFP -
Britain's Tyson Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk face off. AFP -
Tyson Fury's wife, Paris Fury (right) during the press conference. PA -
Britain's Tyson Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk face off. PA
“I’ve got nothing to say apart there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. Watch me go to work.
“The talking has been done. The first fight I talked and joked. All of my career. This time I’m serious – I’m going to do some damage here on Saturday night.”
Fury’s approach to the rematch has been very different to the first fight when he sought to unsettle Usyk verbally and by towering over him at every available opportunity.
That tactic did not work and Usyk produced his finest career victory with a split decision win to add Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
In reference to his successful game plan of stalking the ‘Gypsy King’ around the ring, the 37-year-old Usyk promised a repeat performance.
“Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday,” said Usyk, who was subsequently stripped of the IBF title for choosing to rematch Fury rather than face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
Fury’s brother Tommy and wife Paris watched from the crowd at Via Riyadh, but there was still no sign of dad John, whose erratic contribution to Fury's corner back in May was widely criticised.
Trainer SugarHill Steward revealed on Wednesday that Fury Sr had been stood down from corner duties for the rematch with himself, second Andy Lee and a cutman making up the revised trio.
The corner work in May was strongly criticised with each of Steward, Lee and Fury Sr giving contradictory advice in between the later rounds.
Fury spent seven weeks at a training camp in Malta and says he has not spoken to his wife for three months in order to focus fully on avenging his only loss. Promoter Frank Warren believes he will win by knockout.
“The first fight was magnificent. It was a great fight that had everything. It was a very close fight and there was a cigarette paper in the decision,” Warren said.
“These guys know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and this fight is going to be about who has the strength to exploit the weaknesses. I believe Tyson Fury will come through this and I don’t think the fight will go the distance.
“Tyson’s in great shape and in a great frame of mind. We’re going to to get an extra special event – do not blink from the first bell.”
