By: Sean Crose
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk appeared for a public workout on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia on the eve of their undisputed heavyweight title fight on Saturday. Usyk looks in great shape, which should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone as the man has always shown himself to be a consummate professional. As for Fury, although he will probably never have a flat stomach, there was no doubt on Wednesday that the Englishman looked thinner than he has in years. Is Fury, who often seems nonchalant about fights, mentally and physically preparing for this weekend’s fight to the death with Usyk? Chances are, he is.
“I think he’s the strongest opponent I’ve ever faced,” Fury said of Usyk DAZN, “because I have fought world heavyweight champions before.” Fury went on to admit that he will be entering new territory on Saturday night. “I’ve fought undefeated people before,” he said. “I’ve fought for Olympic gold before, but I’ve never fought a two-weight world champion before.” It seems Fury is ready to admit he is facing the biggest test of his life in Usyk. And really, Usyk is a high-level opponent that Fury will face. Looking back at Fury’s 34-0-1 career, that’s saying something.
“Beating Usyk now makes me No. 1 of all time,” Fury said. Bold words to say the least. Then again, Fury is known to say all sorts of things. For example, how many times has a man said that he has retired or is retiring? However, it is clear that the fighter known as the “Gypsy King” is aware of the importance of this fight and this opponent. After all, Usyk defeated Fury’s fellow Brit Anthony Joshua, while Fury himself bested American Deontay Wilder twice. That means it would be hard to argue that the winner of Saturday’s fight won’t sit firmly atop the heavyweight mountain.
Regardless of how casually he may come across at times, Fury clearly enjoys the words “undisputed heavyweight champion” appearing next to his name. Which fighter wouldn’t? Indeed, there hasn’t been an undisputed title in the big man’s division since the reign of Lennox Lewis – something that adds to the allure of the elusive title of “undisputed ”. That’s something Fury is well aware of, which is why he looked in the form he did before his fight on Saturday.
