The press conferences and build-ups to Tyson Fury fights have become events in themselves in the last decade. But the lead-up to Saturday’s unified heavyweight title rematch between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been far more reserved, and Thursday’s final press conference followed suit.
“I’m hoping to dish out a whole lot of pain,” Fury said in his opening remark. “I’m gonna put this f***er in the hurt locker, that’s for sure.”
“I’ve got nothing to say, apart from that there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight,” Fury followed up. “You watch. That’s all I’ve got to say. The talking’s been done. The first fight I talked, I joked — all my career. This time I’m serious, I’m gonna do some f***ing damage here Saturday night. Watch me go to work on this f***er.”
Usyk expressed his gratefulness to his team and the handlers of the event in his opening words, choosing not to respond to Fury’s comment.
The focus then shifted to the organizers of the show — the people who we often least want to listen to but have the most to say.
When the spotlight went back to the main event, little was added to their initial comments.
“I can’t wait for Saturday night,” Fury said. “Thank you, everybody involved. God bless.”
“Don’t be afraid,” Usyk concluded. “I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday!”
At the end of the press conference, Usyk and Fury took part in a face-off that lasted an incredible 11 full minutes. Neither man had any intention of being the first to look away and give the other the psychological edge on the stage in Riyadh.
With not much said, the mind battle between the two giants was the highlight of their interaction. The intensity of the staredown captured just how important this rematch was to both boxers. Neither wanted to show weakness in their game.
Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) defends his WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
All the talking will be done in the ring this Saturday night, and it promises not to disappoint.
Uncrowned will bring you live round-by-round coverage on Saturday for the big rematch.
