Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk press conference LIVE: ‘I’m going to do some f***ing damage’, promises Fury, as he faces off with heavyweight champion after axeing dad John from his team


Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk press conference LIVE: ‘I’m going to do some f***ing damage’, promises Fury, as he faces off with heavyweight champion after axeing dad John from his team

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Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest news and updates as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk hold their final press conference ahead of heavyweight clash this weekend. 

Usyk: ‘Everything will take place on Saturday’

Oleksandr Usyk, speaking in Ukrainian:

Now we have just a performance with lights and cameras. Everything will take place on Saturday.

Boxing - Heavyweight World Title Fight - Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury - Press Conference - VIA Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 19, 2024 Oleksandr Usyk during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Fury’s not messing

Tyson Fury is looking very scary…

He is a very different man this time around, there are no niceties what’s so ever.

He looks like he wants to be anywhere but at this press conference, he just wants to fight.

It really is interesting watching his change in demeanour… but will it actually make any difference in the ring.

Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t exactly look phased as he is lambasted by Fury.

Warren: ‘It won’t go the distance’

Frank Warren, speaking at the press conference:

The first fight was magnificent, it has everything. It was a very close fight, this time around I know these guys have shared the ring, and they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

It will be about who can exploit the weaknesses. I believe Tyson Fury can get through this and I don’t believe it will go the distance. Do not blink after the first bell.

Fury: ‘I will put this f***** in the hurt locker’

Tyson Fury, speaking at the press conference:

I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain, I am going to put this f***** in the hurt locker for sure. I have got nothing to say other than there will a lot of hurt and pain. Last time out I laughed and I joked.

Talking has been done. The first fight I joked but this Saturday I’m going to do a whole lot of damage.

Boxing - Heavyweight World Title Fight - Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury - Press Conference - VIA Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 19, 2024 Tyson Fury during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Usyk’s grand entrance

Erm… I was not expecting this.

Oleksandr is not entering the stage in a low-key way like Tyson Fury, he has a whole show going on.

A singer comes down the steps belting out a very snazzy tune before the ever-stylish Usyk follows him.

That is what you call a spectacle.

It’s time!

The famous Michael Buffer has taken the microphone and is now thanking a bunch of people.

After all the suspense, he announces both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury to the stage. He does take his time, though.

Fury comes to the stage first in a really snazzy suit, but he does not have the bubbly mood to match it.

He is looking very focused.

Fury: ‘I need to be more focused’

Tyson Fury speaking to GB News:

I need to be more focused this time and not do as much showboating, he said via GB News. ‘That’s how easy it was for me and you can get complacent. I don’t believe the showboating cost me the fight but I need to be more focused this time and not do as much.

I didn’t feel as if I could have knocked him out at any point. I hurt him a few times to the body and with head shots but I didn’t feel I was going to take him out. It was my best performance in the last five years, probably more.

Tyson Fury speaks to the media at the Hilton Hotel in Riyadh. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face each other in a WBA, WBC and WBO world heavyweight title clash at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Monday December 16, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING Fury. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

We continue to wait…

Yep, we are still waiting.

It doesn’t seem like we are any closer to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury talking to the stage, but I am hoping to be proved wrong.

It seems I really low-balled my prediction of 10 minutes, we could be hear a while.

But don’t worry, I will keep you updated as things unfold.

Always watching

Oleksandr Usyk is a bit like Roz out of Monsters Inc… he is always watching.

The heavyweight champ would simply not stop looking at Tyson Fury the other day when he walked down ‘The Runway’.

I must say, I certainly wouldn’t want him staring at me like that, but Fury is not scared in the slightest.

Open workouts complete

It’s been a busy day for the fighters, that’s for sure.

This morning, we got to see both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk complete their open workouts, and my word were their vibes different.

Fury was looking mean, there was none of his usual joking around in the ring.

When asked about what will happen tomorrow night after his workout, Fury said three words: ‘Pain. Damage. Serious hurt.’

Meanwhile, Usyk seemed in a very happy mood as he danced around the ring, bringing the vibes.

I mean, it’s been fascinating to see how differently these two are preparing for this fight. It’s the polar opposite to the first time around.

Will it impact the result differently come Saturday night?

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 18: Tyson Fury looks on ahead of the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight Title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury during a media workout as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at BLVD World Egypt on December 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 18: Oleksandr Usyk during open workout as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at Boulevard World - Egypt on December 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

What will Usyk wear?

It’s Oleksandr Usyk fashion watch time.

The Ukrainian fighter normally provides some sort of swag when he turns up to these press conferences.

I mean, he is certainly a stylish dude.

The other night he turned up in this lovely little purple number and I am once again expecting big things tonight.

All I know is that I could not pull that outfit off.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 17: Oleksandr Usyk poses for a photo ahead of his IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight Title fight against Tyson Fury during the grand arrivals as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at BLVD Runway on December 17, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The wait begins

Some of you may be saying I am dramatic but we are already three minutes past the start time and there is no sign of either fighter yet.

The question is, how long will we have to wait?

My prediction is around another 10 minutes, but I am hoping to be proved wrong.

In the meantime, I am listening to some groovy music as I prepare. Pure vibes.

Saturday’s fight card

The main fight undercard:

  • Mohammad Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo (super-featherweight)
  • Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez (heavyweight)
  • Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin (light-heavyweight)
  • Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight)
  • Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor (featherweight)
  • Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen (heavyweight)
  • Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean (heavyweight)
  • Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis (super-welterweight)
  • Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Tyson Fury 2 (WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 18: Tyson Fury punches Oleksandr Usyk during the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Undisputed Heavyweight titles' fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at Kingdom Arena on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

FIVE-minute warning

We are nearly there people!

This is your five-minute warning for the press conference. With this sport, though, you never know I these things will start on time.

I really hope it does today.

‘Fury’s mind just needs to be Usyk’

Frank Warren, boxing promoter, speaking exclusively to Mail Sport:

His mind just needs to be Usyk. [Fury will be thinking] This is what I’ve got to do. I don’t want to be distracted. I don’t want to know if there’s a problem at home. I don’t know if I’ve got a business problem. All I want to do is focus on this. This is what I want. I need to win this fight.

It’s not about the belts, it’s about beating the guy who got the decision in the last fight in a very, very close fight, a split decision. He needs and feels he’s got to do this to win that.

I’ve got to sacrifice, I’ve got to be in that mood, I’ve got to be in that mindset, I’ve got to focus on this is what it is. And I’m not going to be deviated, no one’s going to distract me. Blinkers on, that’s it. And that’s where he’s at

Last time out in Riyadh…

I doubt you all need a reminder of how the first fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk went, but I am going to remind you anyway.

It’s fair to say, it was one of the most memorable bouts in boxing history.

Fury started the fight in command and it looked like he was having the time of his life, so much so that he started showboating.

But soon enough, he would learn why Usyk had never been beaten professionally.

The Ukrainian clocked Fury with a perfect left hand which nearly sent the big guy down to the canvas.

Somehow, the fight was not stopped. To this day I don’t know why.

But in the end, it didn’t matter, as Usyk would hand Fury the first loss of his career by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.

It was a truly spectacular night, and I’m hoping Saturday will be the same.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 19: Oleksandr Usyk (L) of Ukraine in action against Tyson Fury (R) of United Kingdom during heavyweight boxing world championship fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 19, 2024. (Photo by Mohammed Saad/Anadolu via Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 18: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk interact before the referees decision following the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Undisputed Heavyweight titles' fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at Kingdom Arena on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Boxing - Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 19, 2024 Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the belts after winning the fight to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Fury BANS ‘distracting’ dad from his corner

Now this is the story of the day so far.

During this fight week, we have seen a very different side to Tyson Fury, whose usual bubbly and humourous demeanour has been toned down majorly.

It’s a stark comparison to the lead-up to his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, which was chaotic, to say the least.

And now we may know the reason why…

Fury has banned his father John from being in the corner when fight night swings around this Saturday.

The carnage may be entertaining for viewers, but Fury seems to want to put all his focus on the fight.

What’s in store?

Right then, how are we all feeling?

I’m expecting you all to say excited because that’s exactly how I am feeling. We have a belting few days ahead of us.

This afternoon is just the tip of a very big iceberg, it’s about to get more thrilling with each passing day.

So, here is what is in store:

  • Thursday – Final pre-fight press conference
  • Friday – Weigh-ins
  • Saturday – Fight night
Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (R) fights against Britain's Tyson Fury during a heavyweight boxing world championship fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 19, 2024. Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by split decision to win the world's first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years on May 19, 2024, an unprecedented feat in boxing's four-belt era. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

A war of words

This is not just any old press conference…

We are now just three days away from Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury taking to the ring for their second monumental fight this year.

Seven months on from Usyk’s famous victory, the pair are at it again.

These two normally provide lots of entertainment when they are together on stage, so I am expecting another fun press conference today.

It’s the final time they will be able to exchange words publicly before the fight, so let’s hope they deliver.

So, let’s start with chapter one of three this fight week.

*** BESTPIX *** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury face off during the Usyk v Fury 2 Press Conference ahead of their IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles' fight at Guildhall on October 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Key Updates

  • Last time out in Riyadh…

  • What’s in store?





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