Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk appeared at ease and keen to enjoy the occasion in the days leading up to their undisputed heavyweight title battle, despite their teams taunting and clashing.
The most dramatic moment occurred early in the week, when Fury’s father, John, headbutted a member of Usyk’s entourage. Throughout the build-up, however, both competitors maintained a light-hearted demeanor, mocking one other and grinning and showboating in open sessions.
But on a scorching hot Thursday evening in Riyadh, as the unbeaten combatants gathered for their final news conference before the fight on Saturday, both became curt and tight-lipped as the weight of the occasion appeared to sink in.
Grey-bearded Lennox Lewis, 58, and Evander Holyfield, 61, sat opposite them in the front row of a mob of sweating journalists, entourages, and VIP visitors. Lewis defeated Holyfield in 1999, becoming boxing’s final undisputed heavyweight champion.
On stage, Usyk, 37, wore a black and white traditional Ukrainian sash.
Let’s make history. Enough. “Thanks so much,” he said.
Fury, who wore a flame-colored suit and a black trilby hat, is known for his theatrical personality and trash language. However, the 35-year-old British fighter said very little on Thursday.
“I am ready. I have nothing further to say except that I’m prepared for a good fight,” he remarked.
“God bless him,” he replied when asked whether he had a message for Usyk. “I’ll pray for him before the battle that we can both get out of the ring safely.”
Boxing has historically upset spectators, with several belts and sanctioning organizations producing multiple champions at the same weights, and regular disagreements over money and clashing personalities frequently preventing the finest fighters from facing off in their prime.
