TYSON FURY has been granted permission to KEEP his beard for tomorrow’s heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk‘s team had wanted the Gypsy King to shave off his bushy beard for the Saudi rematch.
They suggested that it could actually cushion a blow to the face, which would benefit Fury during the fight.
But officials have ruled in the Brit’s favour, allowing him to keep the beard.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, told Sky Sports: “He has a beard and there’s been a lot of fighters over the years who’ve fought with beards, and that’s it.”
In a separate dispute, the rival camps are at loggerheads over a replacement judge for Saturday’s bout.
Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley and Fernando Barbosa were originally set to score the historic clash.
Barbosa was taken ill this week and did not fly to Riyadh.
Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey is said to have stepped in to fill the void.
However, Warren claims there is another judge who could be called upon because the camps are in disagreement.
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The 72-year-old has even suggested they could rely on a COIN TOSS to decide.
Warren said: “This will get sorted. Use a bit of common sense, and actually both camps are very, very professional and know what they have to do.”
Fury and Usyk met for a press conference on Thursday which was followed by a face-off that lasted over 10 minutes.
Usyk handed Fury the first defeat of his professional career in May.
He won the fight by a split decision.
READ MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..
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