Tyson Fury has traded insults with Oleksandr Usyk – and warned “I’m going to put this f***er in the hurt locker” — as part of a bizarre press conference that included what has to be a contender for the longest staredown in boxing history.
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No stranger to flamboyance or press conference theatrics, Fury spent more than 11 minutes locked in an intense face off with Usyk, where the pair jawed with each other for several of them, at the end of their hyped Saudi Arabian fight week press conference.
Dressed in a white suit covered with white roses, thorns and blood – plenty of blood – the fighter dubbed ‘Gypsy King’ did more talking to Usyk in the final staredown than he had through the previous 30 minutes on the microphone.
Usyk, unsurprisingly, was not backing down, either.
Having entered the press conference accompanied by singers and a band, the Ukranian superstar was for the most part far more subdued than his purple suit.
However, the reigning heavyweight king did at one point switch from his native tongue to English, warning Fury “don’t be afraid” before then promising that “I will not leave you alone” come Sunday.
While the event, overall, was more subdued than anyone had expected, with neither fighter offering up more than a couple of sentences throughout, the ending has likely gone into the record books after a host of security were eventually called in to separate the pair.
Initially, billionaire Saudi matchmaker Turki Al-Sheikh had stood between the two headliners – and, wonderfully, on a box so he could be seen.
However, as the face off passed a couple of minutes, he was off and gone.
But the two big men?
Well, they stayed … and stayed … and stayed.
Nobody moving.
Nobody blinking.
And for the longest time, nobody said anything, either.
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Eventually, and unsurprisingly, it was Fury who opened up first.
Which is when Usyk, no stranger to a fight, returned serve.
Opening an intense few minutes where, at different points, various security guards tried to get in between the two, only to be either pushed away or ignored completely.
Indeed, so long was the staredown that broadcasters twice cut away from proceedings, only to eventually return and find both men still in place – eyes locked and, as the minutes neared double digits, trading insults.
Earlier in proceedings, Fury revealed he was done with the joking and trash talk that has been something of a signature throughout his career, given the results of their first title showdown seven months ago.
Back in May, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight king in 24 years – and gave The Gypsy King that first loss of his career – after earning a huge split decision win where he pummeled the WBC champ in the ninth, causing him to take a count.
While Fury would eventually see out the fight, and one which he had not only dominated early, but showboated and trash talked through, it was Usyk who earned the decision.
Now, the pair are now readying for a blockbuster rematch in Saudi Arabia, Sunday.
Opening the press conference attended by a host of boxing big names – and Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean, who fights in the co-main — compare Dev Sahni asked Fury what this press conference was all about for him?
“I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain,” the Brit said.
“I’m going to put this f***er in the hurt locker, for sure.”
Told by Sahni he appeared to be carrying extra menace this week, the former champ leaned again into his microphone again and continued: “I’ve got nothing to say.
“Apart from that there’s going to be a lot of hurt and pain in this fight.
“You watch.
“That’s all I got to say.
“The talk has been done.
“In the first fight, I talked, joked, all my career.
“This time I’m serious.
“I’m going to do some f***ing damage.
“Watch me go to work on this f***er.”
Like Fury, the champion was also saying little.
“Now we have just a performance,” the Ukrainian said via interpreter in his own opening. “Talks, camera, lights kind of show.
“Everything will be taking place Saturday (Sunday, Australian time).”
At the end of the press conference however, Usyk switched to English and declared: “Don’t be afraid.
“I will not leave you alone.
“See you on Saturday”
Then, well, the pair faced off.
And faced off.
Then faced off some more.
On broadcast, commentators questioned if it was the longest in boxing history.
While initially stood like a pair of Easter Island statues, things eventually got animated between the two, with the two heavyweights shouting back and forth as various security tried desperately, and unsuccessfully, to separate them.
At times, it looked set to explode.
Which was a far different finish to that of the press conference proper, with Fury, when asked what message he had for his rival?
“Can’t wait,” he deadpanned. “Thank you to everyone involved. God Bless.”
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