The respective teams are locked in talks over which judge should replace the stricken Fernando Barbosa after he was unable to fly to Riyadh for tomorrow’s rematch
The respective teams are locked in talks over which judge should replace the stricken Fernando Barbosa after he was unable to fly to Riyadh for tomorrow’s rematch The respective teams are locked in talks over which judge should replace the stricken Fernando Barbosa after he was unable to fly to Riyadh for tomorrow’s rematch
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s teams are locked in talks over which judge should replace Fernando Barbosa who fell ill and was unable to fly to Riyadh.
Barbosa was due to be replaced by Steve Weisfeld for tomorrow night’s rematch but Sky Sports reports that two judges are in contention to step in. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has reportedly suggested a coin toss to resolve the issue which will be down to the Middle Eastern Professional Boxing Commission to solve.
Experienced judge Weisfeld has history with both fighters and had Fury in front during his second and third fights with Deontay Wilder before the Brit brought both bouts to a premature close. Weisfeld also scored Usyk’s first fight with Anthony Joshua in the Ukrainian’s favour at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Meanwhile, insists the time for joking is over as he pledged to put unified heavyweight champion Usyk in the “hurt locker”.’ Fury has cut a menacing figure at the week’s promotional events and Thursday’s head to head press conference continued along the same theme as the usually verbose 36-year-old Briton kept the talking to a minimum.
The biggest flashpoint came towards the end of a protracted 12-minute face-off when Fury began taunting Usyk, who hit back with his own insults and a smile, before they were eventually separated. “I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain. I’m going to put this f***** in the hurt locker, for sure,” a heavily-bearded Fury said.
“I’ve got nothing to say apart there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. Watch me go to work on this f*****. “The talking has been done. The first fight I talked and joked. All of my career. This time I’m serious – I’m going to do some f*****g damage here on Saturday night.”
Fury’s approach to the build-up to the rematch is very different to the first fight when he sought to unsettle Usyk verbally and by towering over him at every available opportunity. The tactic did not work and Usyk produced his finest career victory with a split decision win to add Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May. Victory for Fury could also set up a huge domestic showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua next year
In reference to his successful gameplan of stalking the ‘Gypsy King’ around the ring, the 37-year-old promised a repeat performance. “Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday,” said Usyk, who was subsequently stripped of the IBF title for refusing to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
Fury’s brother Tommy and wife Paris watched from the crowd at Via Riyadh, but there was no sign of dad John. Trainer SugarHill Steward revealed on Wednesday that Fury Sr had been stood down from corner duties for the second collision with himself, second Andy Lee and a cutman making up the revised trio.
The corner work in May was strongly criticised with each of Steward, Lee and Fury Sr giving contradictory advice in between the later rounds. It was part of a controversial week for Fury Sr, who was left bloodied after head butting a member of Usyk’s entourage.
Fury spent seven weeks at a training camp in Malta and has not spoken to Paris for three months in order to focus fully on avenging his only loss. Promoter Frank Warren believes he will win by knockout. “The first fight was magnificent. It was a great fight that had everything. It was a very close fight and there was a cigarette paper in the decision,” Warren said.
“These guys know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and this fight is going to be about who has the strength to exploit the weaknesses. I believe Tyson Fury will come through this and I don’t think the fight will go the distance.“Tyson’s in great shape and in a great frame of mind. We’re going to to get an extra special event – do not blink from the first bell.”
Mirror – Sport
