Plus, which belts are at stake, the place the ‘Ring of Hearth’ conflict is going down and what the fighters are saying about one another
Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed world heavyweight title bout tonight and says he’s unconcerned by his legacy as a fighter.
Talking in an unique interview with Telegraph Sport, Fury mentioned: “I’m not too involved about what persons are going to be saying in 100 years. The mud from our bones gained’t exist in 100 years, by no means thoughts what they are saying a few boxing match in 100 years.”
Fury weighed in at 262lb on Friday and Usyk tipped the scales at 233lb, a profession heaviest for the Ukrainian.
The rivals virtually got here to blows on a packed weigh-in stage, with a cacophony of noise having greeted the Briton. As the 2 fighters got here collectively for the face-off, Fury put his head in on Usyk after which shoved his foe, however they had been rapidly separated by safety guards.
Within the build-up to the bout, see our vary of pre-fight predictions from across the boxing world and skim three of Usyk’s former opponents on what makes him so tough to beat.
When is Fury v Usyk?
The undisputed heavyweight conflict between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will happen tonight (Saturday). The ring walks are anticipated at round 11pm (BST).
The much-hyped encounter had initially been attributable to happen in Saudi Arabia in February however was postponed after the Briton suffered a “freak lower” above the attention in coaching.
At a media occasion on Monday, John Fury, Tyson’s father, headbutted a member of Usyk’s entourage. On Thursday the 2 fighters got here face-to-face at a press convention – or would have accomplished had Tyson Fury not refused to face-off along with his Ukrainian opponent.
The place to observe Fury vs Usyk within the UK?
The struggle will likely be out there within the UK by way of DAZN, Sky Sports activities and TNT Sports activities.
The price will likely be £24.95 by way of Sky Sports activities Field Workplace; or £24.99 for brand new DAZN clients (that value additionally features a month’s subscription to the streaming service). It is going to price £23.99 for present clients. TNT Sports activities Field Workplace will cost viewers £24.99 to observe the struggle.
Is Fury vs Usyk on the radio?
No. The BBC have been unable to safe the radio broadcast rights regardless of flying out to Saudi Arabia to attempt to accomplish that. Talksport can be unable to broadcast the bout, owing to a long-running dispute with Fury’s camp. In consequence, the struggle is not going to be broadcast on the radio within the UK.
The place is the struggle being held?
The bout will likely be in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Each groups flew into Saudi Arabia earlier this month to start the build-up to the struggle.
What’s at stake?
Most importantly, boxing can have an undisputed heavyweight champion for the primary time since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas 25 years in the past.
Chatting with Telegraph Sport, Lewis defined why it has taken so lengthy to get an undisputed match-up again on the agenda and why there was so little trash speaking again in his day.
Fury holds the WBC belt, which he gained in 2020 when he beat Deontay Wilder. He has defended that belt 3 times, towards Wilder, Dillian Whyte and, most just lately, Derek Chisora.
Usyk has held the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles since beating Anthony Joshua in 2021. He had defended these titles twice: in a rematch with Joshua and most just lately towards Daniel Dubois.
Each Fury and Usyk are undefeated up to now of their skilled boxing careers. The winner will turn into the primary undisputed heavyweight champion within the four-belt period.
Why was the the struggle rescheduled?
The struggle was postponed from its authentic February date after Fury suffered a lower above his eye in sparring brought on by an elbow from Agron Smakici.
Leaked footage from the sparring session collectively appeared to indicate that an elbow triggered the lower however Smakici insists this was unintentional. “Whenever you see the punch, I do know I shot a transparent punch however the best way he held my head, he was pulling my head ahead to him. So, that’s perhaps why the elbow got here by additionally. Nevertheless it was a punch to start with. It was a freak accident.”
‼️ Footage has now emerged showing to indicate the second Tyson Fury was lower by an ELBOW in sparring, inflicting the Oleksandr Usyk struggle to be postponed… pic.twitter.com/dDy3e0Cv4o
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 2, 2024
Usyk: My victory will likely be for Ukraine
Usyk says that, ought to he win, it could possibly be his final bout on this division. “Perhaps I’ll return to cruiserweight and win,” mentioned the previous undisputed cruiserweight champion.
“I really feel unimaginable, pretty much as good as I did on the 2012 Olympic Video games. Simply as younger and energetic, and with an enormous want to maneuver ahead,” he added. “It’s crucial struggle of my profession, my sports activities profession and my sporting life. I need to say that my victory is the victory of all the Ukrainian individuals. And defeat is private.
“I used to be fearful about Tyson Fury, that there may be accidents and that our struggle may not happen,” he added. “If he was performing, I believe he deserves an Oscar. It has to occur as a result of we have now a contract. It’s an issue just for Tyson Fury. He signed a contract, so he has to struggle. It has been an unimaginable journey. I can do something now.”
As a former cruiserweight, Usyk has an enormous peak, attain and weight drawback
Credit score: Getty Photos/FAYEZ NURELDINE
Fury: ‘I’m going to receives a commission, get laid, and are available again to Morecambe Bay’
Chatting with Telegraph Sport, Fury has revealed his motivations for uniting the belts.
“So I’m entering into there to receives a commission, get laid, and are available again to Morecambe Bay.” he mentioned. “I most likely gained’t even purchase something, as a result of I don’t want something. I’ll go to the store and purchase a little bit of buying, most likely be tighter than I’m at the moment. I’ll do the rematch precisely the identical, receives a commission, get laid, come dwelling, Morecambe Bay, nonetheless not purchase something.”
On his techniques, Fury confirmed his intention is to dominate the smaller man along with his dimension and energy. “I’m trying to do a demolition job on him,” he mentioned. “I simply need to beat the foolish sausage. Sure, Usyk is quick, proficient, he out-boxed an enormous heavyweight in Anthony Joshua twice however AJ is one-dimensional, one-paced, and I may outbox him with a blindfold on. I’m simply totally different.”
Fury was wanting thinner than common throughout an open exercise on Wednesday
Credit score: Getty Photos/FAYEZ NURELDINE
Who’s on the undercard line-up?
Jai Opetaia can have a rematch towards a person he defeated to turn into a cruiserweight world champion, Mairis Briedis. They are going to struggle for the vacant IBF cruiserweight championship.
Joe Cordina make a second defence of his IBF super-featherweight crown and can struggle Belfast’s IBO world champion, Anthony Cacace.
German heavyweight Agit Kabayel will face Cuban boxer Frank Sanchez.
Sergey Kovalev fights Robin Sirwan Safar at cruiserweight.
Britain’s Mark Chamberlain takes on Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab at light-weight.
Isaac Lowe, who’s Tyson Fury’s cousin, takes on Hasibullah Ahmadi at featherweight.
David Nyika, the 6ft 8in Kiwi cruiserweight, will struggle Michael Seitz.
Heavyweight Moses Itauma will face Ilja Mezencev.
What are the chances?Fury to win: 4/15Usyk to win: 1/1Draw: 12/1
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