Tyson Fury made bold claims during a news conference ahead of his upcoming title fight against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he could defeat Usyk even without training and after consuming 15 pints of Peroni the night before the fight.
While acknowledging Usyk's accomplishments as a cruiserweight champion, Fury emphasized his belief that the transition to the heavyweight division would be challenging for Usyk. Fury highlighted Usyk's performance against Derek Chisora as evidence of his vulnerability in facing bigger opponents.
The highly anticipated bout was initially scheduled for February but was postponed due to a cut Fury sustained during sparring. Despite his reputation for colorful trash talk, Fury displayed respect for Usyk as a fighter and acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match.
Fury's camp revealed their strategy to target Usyk's perceived weakness in body shots, with promoter Frank Warren noting Usyk's tendency to react adversely to such hits. The camp expressed confidence in Fury's ability to exploit this vulnerability during the fight.
The chairman of Saudi Arabia's general entertainment authority announced a penalty of $10 million for either fighter if they withdraw from the bout. Fury, who underwent stitches for an injury in February, assured fans of his rigorous training regimen and optimal physical condition leading up to the rescheduled fight date.
With preparations in full swing and the stakes high for both fighters, Fury emphasized the importance of training diligently and leaving no room for error. He highlighted the positive impact of having his father involved in his training camp as a secret weapon for his upcoming showdown with Usyk.
In other boxing news, discussions around a potential 16-fighter tournament at 140 pounds, boxer Savannah Marshall's debut in MMA at PFL Europe, and the International Olympic Committee's deadline to secure boxing's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have also been making headlines in the sports world.
