Tyson Fury v Oleksander Usyk: Fight of the century nears as sporting legend struggles to pick winner
It’s boxing’s biggest fight of the century.
And both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have good reason to believe they’ll walk out of the Ring of Fire as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Last night, Fury weighed in at 262lbs (18st 10lbs) – making him two stone heavier than Usyk, who clocked in at a substantial career heaviest of 233½lbs (16st 9lbs), about 12lbs more than he’s ever scaled before.
While Fury refused to look at his opponent during Thursday’s news conference, he did not back down at the weigh-in, where the pair almost came to blows before being separated by their entourages.
The tense occasion also gave the pair a chance to exchange their final verbal jabs before stepping into the ring.
Fury declared he would knock Usyk’s “spark out”.
“I’m ready to rock and roll,” he added. “I’m coming for his heart. F**k his belts, I’m coming for his heart.”
More composed, Usyk’s last message to his competitor was: “Don’t be afraid, I will not leave you alone tomorrow.”
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Fury shoves Usyk in weigh-in clash
Hundreds of fans had packed the weigh-in venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Fury and Usyk’s supporters each chanting for their fighter.
The old boxing saying that “good big ‘un beats a good little ‘un” doesn’t apply when it comes to Usyk.
The Ukrainian is considered the most gifted boxer of his generation and because he beat a bigger man in the form of Anthony Joshua – twice – he holds three of the four heavyweight titles.
But Fury has said this isn’t important. With his typical bluntness, the British boxer said: “AJ isn’t worthy to tie my shoelaces.”
Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua in August 2022. Pic: Reuters
His opponent, though, is not fighting for just himself.
Usyk fought on the frontline at the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, until President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told him to serve his country fighting in the ring.
A man of few words, he said: “It’s a big event for Ukraine. For me, it’s a big fight.”
Here in Riyadh, nobody can agree on who is most likely to win.
Fury was disappointing in his last fight when he almost lost to novice boxer Francis Ngannou at the end of 2023. But now he looks toned and slim.
He’s clearly put the work in for this one.
Fury beat Francis Ngannou on a split decision in October 2023. Pic: Reuters
Derek Chisora has fought – and lost to – both men. He knows what it takes to face them and counts them as friends. But even he can’t call it.
“Can I be honest with you?” he said. “I don’t know. You’re the first person I’ve said that to, that I don’t know. This is difficult.
“This is why we love this sport. Because you don’t know who’s going to win.”
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Fury v Usyk: ‘History will be made’
This fight should have taken place in February, but a freak cut to Fury’s eye in training meant it had to be pushed back until now.
Will Usyk target this injury as a weak point? Will Fury target the smaller man with body shots?
It’s also worth noting this intriguing clash between two showmen wouldn’t have happened without Saudi money.
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What women’s boxing in Saudi Arabia looks like
The reported purse for each man is around an eye-watering £100m and fans have travelled in big numbers to see boxing history unfold.
It’s exactly what Saudi Arabia wants – to open up and be seen as a modernised tourist destination capable of hosting huge sporting events.
Legendary promoter Bob Arum, who has worked with the likes of Muhammad Ali, said it doesn’t get bigger than this.
“Every era has big, big fights,” he said. “And for this era, this is the biggest fight that you can get.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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