Tyson Fury failed to throw a single punch in an open workout ahead of Saturday night’s heavyweight championship clash with Oleksandr Usyk – but did promise ‘pain’ for his opponent
Tyson Fury would have struggled to break a sweat on an unusually cold Saudi Arabian night – but he didn’t try to as he promised “pain” for Oleksandr Usyk this weekend.
The Gypsy King gave no clues away in his open workout in Riyadh – as he didn’t throw a single punch in the ring.
Fury, 36, wasn’t the only one to do limited work in front of the cameras as most fighters just did some shadow boxing before exiting stage left.
Oleksandr Usyk added a bit of dancing to his routine, at least, with a man hanging off one of the columns holding up the lighting rig over the ring singing as he shadow boxed in a bizarre scene.
British heavyweight Fury – who is out for revenge this weekend against the Ukrainian – rocked up at the Boulevard World theme park on the outskirts of the Saudi capital in a leather jacket over his tracksuit.
He took it off before having a wander around the ring as trainer SugarHill Steward – who later confirmed Fury’s father John won’t be in the corner this weekend – watched on.
Fury took time to look to the heavens – maybe saying a little prayer as the rematch for the WBA, WBO and WBC titles closes in – before putting the gloves on.
But there was no padwork done. Back in May, Fury went through a 15-minute workout in front of the cameras before the undisputed fight he eventually lost.
This time there was no workout. He quickly posed for the cameras and then gave an abrupt interview. He kept repeating the same phrases of “pain”, “a lot of damage” and “serious damage”.
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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
Fury’s demeanour is serious. Whether it is an act or a sign of the mood he is in, who knows? The British fighter had long since departed before Usyk made his way into the ring.
Usyk, the defending champion, arrived to Ukrainian music being sung from a man hanging out of the scaffolding holding up the light rig over the ring.
He continued to belt out the tune as ‘The Cat’ showed his fleet footedness by dancing around the ring with the odd punch thrown.
It was all very strange on an oddly chilly night for this part of the world where temperatures so rarely dip into the single figures.
But there’s little doubt on Saturday night, the action will bring the heat even if the Arabian sun is not.