Tyson Fury is being backed by his promoter Frank Warren to knock out unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Saturday’s rematch in Riyadh.
Fury left immediately after scaling a career-high 20stones 1lbs at the weigh-in at Wonder Garden, although he was fully clothed and wearing a heavy leather jacket when he stepped on to the scales.
Usyk, the WBA, WBC and WBO champion who won the first contest on a split decision, also kept his clothes on and weighed 16stones 2lb, the heaviest he has recorded.
After the rivals had engaged in a stare down for 11 minutes 20 seconds at Thursday’s head-to-head press conference, the final face off lasted only a few seconds before Fury turned away.
The 36-year-old then left sharply, leaving Queensbury Promotions boss Warren to answer questions.
“It’s going to be a war tomorrow (Saturday). That’s what it is,” Warren said.
“Tyson has come to get those titles back, that’s what he’s here for, that’s what he’s sacrificed a lot for and that’s what I believe will happen.
“You can analyse it how you like, the fact of that matter is we’re going to find out who is the best.
“And you know both of them are coming to fight. It’s going to be exciting. When that first bell goes they’re gong to get down to it and you’ll see something extra, extra special.
“In my opinion it will (finish inside the distance) – in Tyson’s favour.”
The weigh-in was a far more subdued affair than 24 hours earlier when Fury had to be pulled away after firing insults at Usyk, who enters the fight as a narrow favourite.
When Usyk was asked what he was feeling during the final meeting between the two before they clash for a second time at Kingdom Arena, he replied: “Nothing”.
A dispute over Fury’s beard has yet to be resolved, with Usyk’s camp reportedly objecting to its length having initially been satisfied that it caused no issues.
The identity of the third judge is also an area of contention after Fernando Barbosa fell ill and was unable to travel. Warren said a coin toss should determine who out of Steve Weisfeld and Ignacio Robles replaces him.
Saudi Arabia’s boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh is hoping for a Fury win that would set up a trilogy fight, but waiting in the wings is IBF champion Daniel Dubois.
Dubois defended the belt that was stripped from Usyk after he had become undisputed champion with a crushing fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in October.
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The 27-year-old, who faces Joseph Parker on February 22, wants to unify all of the titles.
“I want the winner. May the best man win and I look forward to the undisputed fight,” Dubois told BoxNation.
“Let’s see what happens after Saturday. I’m definitely a new animal, a new fighter. And ready to show it.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
