Tyson Fury seemed off and subdued during today’s final press conference for his rematch with three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk this Saturday, December 21st, on Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season card.
Low Energy
Dawning a hat and expensive-looking threads, a drained-looking ‘Gypsy King’ had almost nothing to say during the press conference. He showed no energy to pump up interest in the fight, further cementing the belief that boxing fans have that the former WBC heavyweight champion. Tyson looked like a picture of a fighter who had already lost.
Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is doomed. Fury’s bags under his eyes suggest that he’s had some sleepless nights worrying about his rematch. He was there in body only today.
The last fight didn’t go well for Fury, losing a 12-round split decision to Usyk on May 18th, and it looks like he hasn’t buckled down to stay fit during the last months since. He looks like a fighter who took off weight rapidly rather than slowly.
Fury didn’t look engaged during the press conference, and you could tell that he would have preferred to be back home in his expensive mansion in Morecambe, Lancashire. He looks like he knows he’s going to lose, but he’s going to go through the motions, show up on Saturday night, give it a try, and then pick up this hefty $76 million to $85.5 million paycheck afterward. In other words, Fury came for the money.
Many consider Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) a solid favorite to repeat with another win and finish what he started last time, when he had Fury bouncing off the ropes after being clocked in the ninth round.
Usyk’s Confidence
“Don’t be afraid; I will not leave you alone,” said Usyk in his final words during the press conference. He felt he didn’t have to come up with any new lines. He may have said more after looking at how Fury appeared like a lifeless fish during the press conference; he likely felt that he didn’t need to come up with something witty and new to say.
“I’m gonna dish out a WHOLE lot of pain” 😤 @Tyson_Fury #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/oXeXHAzGvF
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 19, 2024
Final words from our main event 👀#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/nj6fhMb3ZL
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 19, 2024
