17 May 2024 , 22:43
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Oleksandr Usyk will be 10lb lighter for his fight with Tyson Fury than was announced after he stepped on the scales.
Usyk was announced as weighing 233lb for his undisputed heavyweight world title fight - a career-high and over half a stone heavier than he was when he fought Anthony Joshua. But it has been revealed that Michael Buffer announced the Ukrainian's weight wrongly and he in fact weighed 223lb.
That means he will be giving up 40lb to Fury in the ring with the Brit expected to use his height and weight advantages against the smaller man. And he made his presence felt during their staredown last night when he shoved his rival, forcing security guards to step in.
Fury later unleashed an X-rated tirade, screaming: "We’re ready to rock and roll. Fireworks tomorrow night. I’m going to knock this little f***** spark out. I’m coming for his heart, that’s what I’m coming for. F*** his belts, I’m coming for his f***ing heart. He’s getting it tomorrow, spark out. F*** him and f*** all of his team too. F*** the lot of them. They can all get it if they want it too, s***houses!”
Usyk was unmoved by Fury’s provocation and delivered a calmer interview once Fury had left the stage, declaring that he is not feeling any nerves despite the size of the occasion. "Don’t be afraid, I will not leave you alone tomorrow. If I will be nervous, I won’t win. My fans – I love you, see you tomorrow,” he said.
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Fury himself weighed in at his lightest for five years since he beat Otto Wallin. The lineal champion will walk to the ring weighing 262lb and will start as the narrow favourite to become the division's first undisputed world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
“Thank you to all those who have travelled over to support me,” added Fury. “I know it’s tough at the moment and money is hard, so I aim to put on a show. I’m ready. Tough or easy, either way I will be ready.
“The belts belong in the UK and they will be coming home. The undisputed title does not belong to a Ukrainian. I believe every left and right turn I’ve taken, every time I’ve fallen over, every time I’ve got up – it’s all been leading to this moment. It’s destiny.”