Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury | Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury meet again on Saturday, but they’re already locked into a battle of wills.
The heavyweight stars faced off after a press conference Thursday ahead of their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and they didn’t disappoint as neither Usyk nor Fury was willing to flinch. In fact, their staredown lasted over 10 minutes, only ending when others stepped in to separate them.
Watch the full, uncut faceoff in all its glory below.
THIS WAS INTENSE! USYK AND FURY FACE OFF! #Usyk2Fury pic.twitter.com/rab75GLugK
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 19, 2024
VERBALS #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/3LwKhGp8C8
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 19, 2024
There were few words spoken between the rivals, which reflected their attitudes during the press conference itself. Fury continued his cold, stoic build for the bout that began during his open workout on Wednesday, answering questions by only saying that he plans to do serious damage to Usyk in their rematch.
Usyk was similarly short, saying only that they will put on a show Saturday and telling Fury, “Don’t be afraid.”
This is the second meeting between the boxing giants after Usyk won a thrilling split decision over Fury this past May in one of the most highly anticipated heavyweight clashes of this generation. Usyk came close to finishing Fury in Round 9, but the former champion survived and made it to the cards. With the bout being scored in Usyk’s favor, Fury suffered the first loss of his pro career.
The undefeated Usyk heads into the rematch putting his WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles on the line.
Watch the faceoff and press conference below.