Author: quyen1

Tyson Fury treated Oleksandr Usyk to either a dress rehearsal of their megafight in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night or a master class in deception.

Open work outs are normally a couple of minutes of prancing about plus a little pad work if the public are lucky.

In 40 degrees of night heat, which limited his rival world champion to only a little more than the usual, Fury put on a 25 minute show.

If it is in his grand plan to become The Undisputed Gypsy King of the heavyweight ring by spending much of the fight switching to southpaw, then that was what he showed the watching Usyk.

Along with the remarkable speed of hand and foot for a giant which has been restored by his weight loss and weeks of hard work.

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Tyson Fury showed remarkable speed of hand and foot for his size, thanks in large part to his reduced frame

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The Gypsy King opted to switch his stance to southpaw for much of the open training session

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Oleksandr Usyk was in the ring for less time than Fury but he too switched up his stance in the session

Fury looked fantastic as he showed also that he will use his still heavier bulk to lean on and wear down Usyk. As well as movement to lure his man out of his preference for boxing on the back foot and into danger into danger.

It was mightily impressive. But they do say in this hard game that the gym is a liar. Was Fury revealing the truth in advance or laying a false trail?

That adds yet another layer of fascination to the coming clash between the two; Fury’s power and the technical genus of the smaller Usyk.

Turki Alalshikh has revealed who Anthony Joshua‘s next two opponents in the ring could be.

Joshua last fought in March when he brutally knocked out Francis Ngannou in the second round in Saudi Arabia.

The 34-year-old last month revealed how his next fight could take place on September 20 or 21 at Wembley Stadium in London.

And Alalshikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority says Joshua will take on the winner of the bout between Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, which takes place on June 1 having ruled out a matchup against the winner of Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang.

‘We have Joshua’s fight in September it all depends on the result of the Hrgovic fight [with Dubois],’ His Excellency said on the MMA Hour.

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Anthony Joshua is set to return to action and his possible opponents have been revealed

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Turki Alalshikh has revealed Joshua will face the winner of the bout between Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic

‘Because now we have locked Wilder to Jared Anderson in the card in Los Angeles.’

As reported by talkSPORT’s Michael Benson, providing Joshua comes out unscatched in his next fight, he will face Tyson Fury, who is set take on Oleksandr Usyk for all the belts on May 18.

There is a two-way rematch clause in the fight between Fury and Usyk, meaning the loser can trigger a second bout.

Joshua is unlikely to be granted the opportunity to fight with Usyk again having already lost twice to the Ukrainian.

Therefore, the former heavyweight champion might secretly be hoping fellow Brit Fury wins the highly anticipated showdown in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

However, Joshua does not believe that will be the case as he predicted a victory for Usyk last month.

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Joshua could reportedly face fellow Brit Tyson Fury (pictured) if he wins his next fight

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: ‘I’ve fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I’ve experienced with him – phenomenal fighter, I would say he’s gonna do a really good job,’ he told TalkSport.

‘I’ve never fought Fury, so I can’t speak on what it’s like to face him. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious.’

Joshua has travelled to Riyadh and is set to be ringside to watch the first undisputed heavyweight fight in 25 years.

Tyson Fury’s bizarre training methods have been revealed by his trainer.   

Fury will go head-to-head with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend in a bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis.

He sustained a nasty gash above his eye during a sparring session, causing the original February date to be pushed back to May 18.

Fury has undergone a phenomenal body transformation and looks to be more lean and slim in comparison to previous fights.

Trainer Sugar-Hill Steward has revealed the Gypsy King lifts weights in the gym but has gone a step further by lighting the heavyweight’s hands on fire to help him gain an advantage over his opponents.

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Tyson Fury will go head-to-head with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend

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Sugar-Hill Steward (L) has revealed he set Fury’s hands on fire to make his knuckles stronger

‘He does, because he’s a heavyweight. But one of the things I enjoy watching him do is hit the bag, like the old-school fighters. That’s really “weights”,’ Steward told GQ when asked if Fury lifts weights.

‘You don’t see a lot of fighters actually punching the bag. They’re hitting it, but they’re not punching it properly and thinking about it like it’s their opponent. It’s [about] movement, it’s direct.

‘There are certain spots you want to hit on your opponent, and you have to have that kind of imagination when you’re on the bag – it’s about having real purpose.

‘Alongside that, at one point, I put kerosene on his hands and lit his hands on fire to make his knuckles stronger.’

Steward was then asked if he really did light Fury’s hands on fire, and responded: ‘Yeah. The kerosene burned off his hands. You’ve seen the movie, right?

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The winner will unify the heavyweight division for the first time since Lennox Lewis in 1999

‘You know when the metal bones and stuff come out? His hands do that and then they regenerate skin and come back stronger and tougher.’

Similarly, Fury’s upcoming opponent Usyk revealed his brutal training regime ahead of their bout this weekend.

The Ukrainian Oleksandr told MailSport he has fought 40 strangers over 250 rounds and then broke down in tears over his dying father’s inspirational final words.

A simulation has suggested the undisputed world heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will be decided by knockout.

The Gypsy King and the Ukrainian finally meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, after their proposed meeting in February was postponed.

Undisputed, a boxing game released for the PC last year, has been utilised to showcase what could happen when Usyk and Fury go head-to-head at the weekend.

YouTube channel GameRiot set a computer-controlled match-up between the pair, and allowed the technology to determine who would win the fight.

It is thought that their fight – which will unify the heavyweight division for the first time since March 1999 – will be a tactical affair between two top-quality boxers.

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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were put head-to-head in a simulated video game fight

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The video game Undisputed was used to simulate the upcoming Usyk and Fury clash

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Oleksandr Usyk was left on the floor several times from heavy blows by The Gypsy King

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The British boxer Tyson Fury was left celebrating after winning the simulated fight by KO3

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk pre-fight press conference chat

However, the gaming match-up suggested a different outcome, with both fighters trading heavy blows from the very beginning.

In round one, Fury smashed Usyk with a hard right hand blow, causing a knockdown, although the Ukrainian returned to his feet to survive.

The following round saw the 37-year-old knocked down again, as The Gypsy King nailed two right hand hits straight to the head.

Usyk got up and made it to the end of the round, only for his virtual fight to be over in round three, meaning that Fury would take the WBA, IBF and WBO title belts if it was replicated on Saturday night.

Fury used body shots to floor Usyk for a third time in round three, and despite rallying once again, it was only five seconds before the 21-0 fighter was floored once more, and the Ukrainian could not muster the strength to continue in time.

Fury had his hand raised by the referee as he was declared to be the winner by KO3.

In the real world, Usyk beat Daniel Dubois in Poland in August 2023, whilst Fury put on a subpar performance against MMA star Francis Ngannou in Riyadh last October.

The initial clash between Fury and Usyk had been scheduled to take place in Riyadh on February 17, but was postponed after the Brit sustained a severe cut above his right eye while sparring.

Fighters have promised to forfeit $10m (£8m) if they pulled out of the fight this time around.

Fury, who is defending his WBC belt against Usyk, has been working hard to get himself into the right position to defeat the Ukrainian and become the first unified holder of the heavyweight division since March 1999, when Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield.

Earlier this month, the Brit boxer shared a topless snap on the social media platform, adding the caption ‘Undisputed incoming’ and the date of their fight.

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They will go head to head on May 18 in Riyadh after Fury’s eye injury delayed it from February

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Usyk’s brutal training regime for the fight included fighting 40 strangers over 250 rounds

Tyson Fury prepares for heavyweight fight against Usyk in Riyadh

Fury also looked laser-focused in training footage as he stepped up his preparations for the fight.

Meanwhile, Usyk’s brutal training regime includes fighting 40 strangers over 250 rounds, and using a smartphone app which connects boxers with sparring partners, coaches and managers.

In March, Mail Sport reported on a video game simulation which predicted what would happen when Mike Tyson squares up to Jake Paul in July.

Radio listeners will be unable to absorb the live action of this weekend’s heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk after BBC failed to agree a deal for the bout.

The fighters are set to go head-to-head in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with the winner crowned as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

The magnitude of the bout has, for the first time, resulted in four broadcasters gaining rights to show the spectacle in the UK.

However, according to The Times, the radio waves will be silent after a deal could not be struck.

The report states that the BBC sent a team to the Gulf State this week expecting to conclude a deal for the showpiece. However, an agreement fell through on Wednesday.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk pre-fight press conference chat

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Anticipation is building for the huge heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury (pictured) and Oleksandr Usyk

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UK viewers will have plenty of choice when it comes to watching the bout between Usyk (pictured) and Fury but there will be no radio alternatives

Additionally, they report that the the Saudi promoters have opted not to sell the radio rights in the UK because they believe it would diminish the number of pay-per-view sales.

UK viewers have their pick of DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office or TNT Sports Box Office – all for a fee of £24.95 – for the bout.

Fury and Usyk will step into the ring at the Kingdom Arena for the first time on Saturday, May 18.

The pair will battle it out over 12 rounds in a winner-takes-all bout which is due to get underway at 11pm UK time – 1am Saudi Arabia time on Sunday, May 19.

An official start time for the event has yet to be released but looking at previous events in Saudi Arabia could see the main card get underway as early as 4pm Uk / 11am ET / 8am PT.

David Haye has revealed who he thinks will win Saturday’s colossal heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, claiming that the fight could be won on points and that there could also be ‘a lot of controversy’.

The wait to decide who will become the undisputed heavyweight champion is nearly over, with Fury and Usyk finally set to meet in the ring on Saturday night after the pair have been circling each other for several years.

The fight was postponed earlier in 2024 after Fury appeared to suffer a cut to his eye during a sparring session, only adding to the tension and excitement around the fight.

Haye is one former professional who has been on tenterhooks waiting for this fight to take place, and delivered his verdict to Mail Sport on who he thinks will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis accomplished the feat nearly 20 years ago.

‘My prediction, I think, is going to be a very highly skilled, technical fight,’ the former British fighter told Mail Sport. ‘I think both fighters are going to have a great game plan. I think Tyson Fury is going to try to implement his superior height, weight and reach. I think it’s going to be very exciting.

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David Haye believes there could be ‘a lot of controversy’ during Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s clash

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Haye revealed who he thinks will win with Usyk (left) and Fury (right) set to face off on Saturday

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Haye claimed that Usyk (right) ‘will win Saturday’s heavyweight bout’ in a close contest

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk pre-fight press conference chat

‘I think there’s going to be a lot of controversy. I think it’s going to go to points. I think I see a controversial majority draw. I think two judges are going to have it as a draw and one judge is going to have it for Usyk. I think Usyk is going to, in my opinion, win the fight, but I think it’s going to be a draw.

‘But with someone as big as Tyson Fury, it takes one shot to really do damage. He’s not known to have one-punch knockout power but when you’re that big and you’re rotating through the shots, particularly if he gets desperate at some stage, you know he could either get countered or he could land a big shot. But I’m excited.’

He added: ‘Nobody wants a draw! We want a clear considered victory. But if I was to bet my last £5 – it would be on a draw. You’d get great odds. But I think a majority draw.’

While Fury and Usyk are contracted for a second fight, which has been scheduled for later in 2024, speculation is already mounting over who the winner could fight next.

While Saturday’s victor will be crowned the undisputed champion, Haye believes that whoever emerges victorious will not be the best fighter of the current era until they conquer one last opponent, Anthony Joshua.

When asked whether Fury becomes the best in the game, he said: ‘He becomes the undisputed champion. Does he become the baddest man on the planet? I thought AJ [Anthony Joshua] beating [Francis] Ngannou the way he did makes him the baddest man on the planet.

‘Although he doesn’t have any belts, I’d like then to see the undisputed champion fight Ngannou, who was the baddest man, who then I believe defended that title against Tyson Fury – but had it ripped off of him by AJ [Anthony Joshua].

Tyson Fury prepares for heavyweight fight against Usyk in Riyadh

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Haye believed that the winner should fight Anthony Joshua to become the ‘mythical baddest man on the planet’

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Usyk, the IBO, WBA and WBF champion, comes into this bout with an undefeated 21-0-0 record

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Fury holds the WBC heavyweight belt which he claimed by beating Deontay Wilder in 2020

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Haye believes Joshua (right) should be allowed a crack at the undisputed champion next after his win against Francis Ngannou (left)

Lennox Lewis says beating Usyk won’t make Fury the GOAT

‘So I then want AJ to fight Tyson Fury for the mythical baddest man on the planet and the undisputed titles. That’s when I can sit back and say this guy [the winner] in this era is the No 1.’

Much talk in the run-up to this fight has revolved around Fury’s nutrition and how much weight he has lost since his victory against Francis Ngannou in October 2023.

Many, including his strength and conditioning coach, Kristian Blacklock, have claimed that the British fighter is in the ‘shape of his life’ and was ‘stronger and leaner’ than ever before.

Others have raised concerns over whether the 35-year-old’s body transformation will hamper the amount of power he can produce against Usyk, but Haye has dismissed those claims, lauding the Manchester-born fighter as a ‘real heavyweight’.

‘I don’t think his [Fury’s] weight will have any impact on his punch power,’ the former heavyweight champion said. ‘He’s a big man, naturally a big man. He’s a real heavyweight.

‘If you see how, you know, he knocked out Dillian Whyte – he just turned through the shot. He’s such a big, humongous man, you know, whether he weighs 20 stone or 18 stone, or 17 and a half stone, he’s going to knock you out if he puts all of his weight behind it.’

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Fury’s has been lauded for his incredible body transformation in the run-up to the fight

His strength and conditioning coach has claimed that Fury is ‘stronger and leaner’ now

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Fury’s Dad, John, head-butted a member of the Usyk camp during an altercation in fight week

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 A scuffle seemingly broke out between both camps, and Haye believes Usyk can put any controversy or mind games out of his head

John Fury puts himself head-to-head with Usyk’s team

There have also been plenty of mind games and controversial incidents ahead of Saturday evening’s fight, with John Fury, Tyson’s father, being at the heart of a controversial incident earlier this week.

Shocking footage showed Fury Snr being left with a bloodied face, after allegedly headbutting a member of Usyk’s team.

Videos have emerged online of tensions rising around the fight venue, with Usyk and Fury’s camps chanting the names of both fighters at each other.

Haye, meanwhile, believes Usyk is far too experienced to let Fury’s team get into his head.

‘Usyk’s too seasoned. He’s been here, he’s seen it, he’s done it. He’s won all the belts,’ the former unified cruiserweight champion said. ‘He’s had way more world title fights than what Tyson Fury has had and he’s never lost.

‘He’s always very, very good. Very classy and conducts himself well outside of the ring and I just see Usyk’s skill and his footwork, more importantly, being able to negate a lot of the stuff that Tyson Fury can do.

‘But it’s the best fight that we could possibly ask for – going back many years. Make sure you tune in, TNT Sports Box Office – it’s going down.’

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The Gypsy King and Usyk are scheduled to face off again in a rematch later this year

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Haye lauded Usyk for how he conducts himself claiming that he is ‘always very classy’

Winner stays on with David Haye

In a game of ‘winner stays on’, David Haye revealed his picks to Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daly on which legends and some current fighters from the heavyweight division would reign supreme.

Winner stays on, Deontay Wilder vs Dillian Whyte? 

‘I’d say Wilder.’

Deontay Wilder vs Frank Bruno?

‘Off the strength of Wilder’s last fight against Joseph Parker, I’d have to say Frank Bruno.’

Frank Bruno or Derek Chisora?

‘It’d be a great fight, I’d say maybe Frank [Bruno]. I’ve got a soft spot for Frank Bruno, I’ve been a fan of his ever since I was a little kid. His fight against Oliver McCall was amazing. His effort against Lennox Lewis was amazing too.’

Frank Bruno vs Mike Tyson?

‘Ah Mike Tyson beat him twice quite comfortably.’

Mike Tyson vs Zhilei Zhang?

‘Mike Tyson.’

Mike Tyson vs Vitali Klitschko?

‘I’d say Mike Tyson.’

Mike Tyson vs Anthony Joshua?

‘Mike Tyson.’

Mike Tyson vs Joe Frazier?

‘I’d say Frazier.’

Joe Frazier vs Lennox Lewis?

‘Lennox Lewis.’

Lennox Lewis vs George Foreman?

‘Oh! I don’t know that’s like the ultimate fight that one! Err, maybe, I’d say Lennox.’

Lennox Lewis vs Tyson Fury?

‘Lennox Lewis, all day long.’

Lennox Lewis vs Oleksandr Usyk?

‘Lennox.’

Lennox Lewis vs David Haye?

‘Lennox, all day long and by a spectacular knock out!’

While Fury possesses an edge in terms of size over Usyk, Haye also believes that it is important that the Ukrainian does not get struck by too many unnecessary punches.

‘It’s imperative that Usyk doesn’t get hit with unnecessary punches. Being the smaller man, you can’t afford to get your energy bar reduced by the bigger man.

‘The way I see it, you’ve got an energy bar – it gets lower and lower every time you take a shot, like a computer game. Usyk has become undisputed cruiserweight champion and he’s won all the belts – bar the WBC at heavyweight – and he’s done that by punch evasion and by having a style which makes it very difficult for his opponents to land clean, concussive punches on him.’

Fans have slammed the pre-fight press conference between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their undisputed heavyweight clash on Saudi Arabia in Saudi night.

The pair will finally face each other in the ring in Riyadh, three months after their original fight was postponed following a cut suffered by Fury in sparring.

Anticipation for the fight has been growing throughout the week, and many were hoping that a war of words could erupt just 48 hours before they square off, but the press conference proved to be a timid affair.

Fury vowed to keep things ‘short and sweet’ as he took the microphone, simply insisting that he was ‘ready to put on a show’, while Usyk claimed that he and Fury would ‘make history’ this weekend in the first undisputed heavyweight clash fight for 25 years.

But that did little to whet the appetite of fans who were critical of how the press conference played out.

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Tyson Fury hardly spoke at his final press conference before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk

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Usyk also did not engage in a war of words, leading to criticism from fans

‘What a s*** press conference. Both fighters refusing to speak for more than 10 seconds,’ one fan posted on X.

Another X user agreed, adding: ‘Fury Usyk presser is a bore-fest’, while one fan wrote: This press conference so far has been lackluster as f***.’

The press conference – which was staged in three parts – got off to a farcical start when promoter Frank Warren’s microphone wasn’t working properly, leading to Fury encouraging him to use his instead.

But the sound quality proved an issue for the rest of the event, causing further irritation for fans watching on.

‘All the Saudi money and they can’t even get the sound engineering right for the press conference,’ a fan claimed.

‘Absolutely impossible to hear anything without a constant bleep….’

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Fury refused to face Usyk at the end of their timid final press conference

Having hardly got the juices flowing with their words, Fury and Usyk then stepped to the front on the stage for their obligatory face-off, but the Gypsy King refused to look at his opponent.

Instead, he opted to cross his arms and look into the crowd, before flexing his muscles, all while not catching the eye of Usyk.

Usyk, dressed in an all-white suit, appeared unflustered by Fury’s unusual behaviour, and did not take his eyes off his rival.

Fans will hope for better at Friday’s weigh-in, before the two heavyweights settle their differences in the ring on Saturday evening.

Eyebrows are raised here and around the boxing world at the generational fortune Tyson Fury will bank for Saturday night’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk which will determine who goes into ring legend as the first undisputed world heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

Eyes turn green with envy not only in the fight fraternity but among millions across the planet as it is revealed the Gypsy King is guaranteed £81.5million for his bid to join Lennox Lewis as the only heavyweight holder of all the available world titles.

Obscene is among the derogatory terms used when Fury’s promoters predict that once pay-per-view counting houses declare their returns, his purse will soar far north of £100m.

This very day, 13,000 miles distant from the shifting sands of Saudi Arabia, is Joe Louis Day in the Nevada desert.

The memory of the Brown Bomber is being served on the Las Vegas Strip with raised glasses, presentations to the Louis family, sepia film screenings of the finest of his performances in the ring and eulogies delivered by the luminaries of American boxing.

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Tyson Fury is set to bank over £100million following his fight with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday

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Fury’s huge earnings are in stark contrast to what boxing legends like Joe Louis (pictured) earned during his time at the top of the sport

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The gulf between the fiscal circumstances of Louis and Fury (right, pictured with his partner Paris) marks an overdue end to the age in where the most heroic fighters ended up on skid row

Could the timing be more exquisite? No. Although perhaps not in the way many will want to conceive. Louis, who remains up alongside Muhammad Ali as one of the two greatest heavyweights, had to fall on charity to end his years in even modest comfort after collapsing almost penniless on a New York City sidewalk.

The bitter and resentful will grasp this coincidence of dates as a straw with which to beat Fury. An excuse for venting their spleen against a man whose extravagant showmanship they detest and who allow no tolerance for his extraordinary triumph over the travails of his bipolar condition.

By more rational consideration, the gigantic gulf between the fiscal circumstances of Louis and Fury marks a final, welcome, long overdue end to the age in which even the most heroic of prize-fighters ended up on skid row.

Joseph Louis Barrow was born in 1914 in LaFayette, Alabama. Twelve years later, to escape increasing threats from the Ku Klux Klan, the family of eight children relocated from the Deep South to Detroit. Hence that statue of a giant fist which stands downtown in Motor City.

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The instinct to fight his way out of poverty led Louis (left) to the longest reign as world champion in any weight division

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Fury, meanwhile, is set to bank guaranteed a minimum £81.5million during Saturday’s fight

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His fight against Oleksandr Usyk (pictured) will determine who becomes the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era

Tyson Fury prepares for heavyweight fight against Usyk in Riyadh

The raw instinct to fight his way out of poverty led Louis to the longest reign as world champion in any weight division. Twenty-two years, no less. That included 25 consecutive successful world title defences, also a record. All as the undisputed holder of the then NYSAC, NBA and Ring magazine belts.

For which he was rewarded by being fleeced of most of his purses — including those yielded by mass crowds of New Yorkers in Yankee Stadium and a packed Madison Square Garden — by rapacious, shameless, parasitic managers and promoters. And by America’s remorseless Internal Revenue Service who demanded anything up to 90 per cent of his entire income, even before all those grasping deductions.

Joe Louis claimed 66 victories and three losses during his esteemed boxing career

So much for volunteering to join the army during the Second World War and using his huge popularity in the US to raise considerable funds for the armed struggle against Hitler’s forces.

When Louis retired for the first time he received, out of the blue, a tax demand for half a million dollars. Even after donations from friends, the shortage still carried the implied threat of jail time. The IRS and the government pressured him to make a comeback on condition that he would forfeit his $100,000 purse for fighting Rocky Marciano.

So nothing for taking on, at 38, this younger, stronger, brutal puncher who is still the only world heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. Marciano, under pressure from his own connections, agreed but said: ‘This is the last fight I want.’ He did his best to limit the inevitable punishment with an early knockout but Louis, out of professional pride, lasted eight rounds before being battered through the ropes.

Rocky wept as he went to the great man’s dressing room and said: ‘I’m sorry, Joe.’ To which Louis replied, ‘What’s the use in crying? Everything happens for the best.’ In his case getting the tax man off his back.

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The Gypsy King has previously shown off his luxury car collection on his social media accounts

Tyson Fury shows off new Rolls-Royce after cashing in £26.2m

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Fury himself endured a tough start to life and was born prematurely, weighing just 1lb

What followed that last fight was sad to behold. A grotesque bout as a wrestler. Dwindling celebrity appearances. Failed businesses. Benefactors chipped in. One with a motorised wheelchair in which he was taken to ringside for big fights at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to drum up donations from high rollers.

Tyson Luke Fury was born in Wythenshawe in 1988 into a family of travellers of Irish descent. Although he would never claim to have endured such harrowing privations as Louis, it was a tough start to life for a boy weighing only 1lb at his premature birth and not expected to live. Then as a kid who left school at 11 to go to work for the family, alongside his father and three brothers at laying tarmac on roads.

He learned how to fight around camp fires. Bareknuckle. After growing into a 6ft 9in giant, he defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win his first world titles. Whereupon he remarked: ‘Becoming heavyweight champion of the world is not as hard a fight as proving your Irishness.’

For all the outrageous antics and the turbulence of his career, no one has the right to cast aspersions as he goes into his biggest fight, against Usyk — one with the most historic importance in boxing during the 25 years since Lewis claimed the then three-belt undisputed heavyweight crown.

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Joe Louis (right) defeated German nemesis Max Schmelling (left) in 1936, a fight that struck an early blow against racism in America

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By helping boxing tap into Saudi wealth, Fury is carrying less celebrated undercard boxers with him into an new, enriching era

Oleksandr Usyk sends his FINAL MESSAGE to Tyson Fury

It is not his fault that he earns many times more than did Joe Louis. Nor can the Gypsy King be blamed because the Brown Bomber drove a saloon car he received as a gift, while Fury’s most conspicuous indulgence of his wealth is a Rolls-Royce or three in his luxury fleet.

Louis cemented US sentiment against the Nazis by winning his return fight with German nemesis Max Schmeling, which also struck an early blow against racism in America. Fury has broken through the glass ceiling above which the sharks were robbing honest fighters. By helping boxing tap into Saudi wealth, he is carrying less celebrated undercard boxers with him into an new, enriching era.

And in the final analysis, the Gypsy King and the Brown Bomber risk the same end. Louis died, aged 66, from a heart attack attributed in part to the rigours of prize-fighting. Fury is aware his epic trilogy with the huge punching Deontay Wilder is likely to have taken years off his life. As might tomorrow night if Usyk and he engage in punishing battle.

Schmeling, as a champion not prey to the IRS, helped pay for Louis to be buried in Vegas. At least whenever Fury goes to meet his maker — hopefully many years from now — he will leave a family more than able to meet the costs of his departure.

After months of build-up, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will finally compete for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

The Gypsy King brings his WBC belt to the table and with it, one of the most lucrative careers of the modern era, as he prepares to take on his Ukrainian counterpart.

It’s a bout that has been in the pipeline for quite some time, after their originally scheduled fight in February was postponed when Fury sustained a ‘freak’ cut in training.

Fury has long been regarded as one of Britain’s best ever boxers but there have been suggestions that he could be entering the debate for greatest boxer of all time.

Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the incredible body transformations of both fighters ahead of the highly-anticipated title fight.

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will compete for the undisputed heavyweight title on Saturday

Tyson Fury

The Gypsy King looks as ripped as ever ahead of his bout with the Ukrainian.

The heavyweight world will seek to elect a unified champion for the first time in 24 years on Saturday night, with a reported £116million purse up for grabs.

Boxing followers believe Fury is taking his fight with Usyk much more seriously after he scraped through his fight with Francis Ngannou, winning via split decision after being knocked down.

His long-time sparring partner Martin Bakole claimed that Fury didn’t prepare properly for his fight with Ngannou, telling IFL TV: ‘Tyson was not 100 per cent focused in the gym.’

Usyk himself suggested that Fury didn’t take the fight seriously, asking: ‘Was he playing around trying to fool me?’

However, Fury appears to have stepped up the intensity of his training and posted a video in March promising that he would ‘f***ing batter’ his undefeated opponent.

Recently, Fury’s trainer Sugar-Hill Steward spoke on the Gypsy King’s impressive body transformation and insisted it’s ‘the fittest I’ve ever seen him’.

Speaking to GQ, Steward said: ‘He’s pushing himself each fight to get better and better, and he’s doing it only for himself.

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Tyson Fury’s incredible body transformation ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight has been revealed

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His physique is radically different to when he fought Francis Ngannou back in October

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk pre-fight press conference chat

‘Heavyweights don’t have to be this beautiful structure of a human being. It’s about whatever he feels at this particular time, how he wants to look and what makes him feel good. He’s still got some weight on him, but he’s the fittest I’ve ever seen him.

‘A lot of things have changed, which you won’t notice. But I’ve noticed certain movements that he’s able to do because of his fitness.

‘The things he’s doing are just different. His moves are a lot sharper, a lot crisper, which I don’t really comment on but you know – me and him know’.

Fury is no stranger to an incredible body transformation, however, having previously lost a considerable amount of weight on multiple occasions.

The Brit, after he dethroned Deontay Wilder with a seventh-round victory in Las Vegas back in 2020, shared a series of photos with his fans to demonstrate his sensational body transformation.

Before training for his first encounter with the Bronze Bomber, Fury weighed in at 378lbs. But Fury brought coach Ben Davison into his team, hired a nutritionist and was able to fight off the fat during a hectic training regime.

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The 31-year-old conquered his demons and shed the required weight for his stellar comeback

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Tyson Fury has shared a series of photos to demonstrate his sensational body transformation, from piling on the pounds (top left) to his eventual top fighting shape (bottom right)

Fury shed 10 stone before tussling with Wilder for the WBC title for the first time in December 2018.

And ahead of their second bout, the drastic changes Fury made to his regime were laid bare, with camp manager Timothy Allcock revealed: ‘We definitely had to rope in the food.

‘Tyson never really stuck to the diet plan we gave him last time, he was always nipping out and eating fast food outside the camp – and all that has changed now.’

Fury weighed in at 273lbs – 19.5 stone – for the rematch, and demolished Wilder with a devastating showing – forcing his opponent to trigger a trilogy fight.

Oleksandr Usyk

While Fury has shed plenty of pounds over the years, Usyk has done the opposite and, instead, bulked up a considerable amount.

Saturday’s bout will be the 36-year-old’s sixth bout in the heavyweight division, having made his name – and earned his first world title – at cruiserweight.

He was undefeated in 16 fights at cruiserweight level becoming the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO champion and beat the likes of Tony Bellew, Michael Hunter, Marco Huck and Krzysztof Głowacki.

As such, the Ukrainian had to undergo a sizeable transformation when he made the transition in 2019 ahead of his heavyweight debut against Chazz Witherspoon.

The boxer’s seamless transition to heavyweight has, in part, been aided by his stellar training regime and dedication to his profession.

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Usyk was previously a cruiserweight before making the step up to the heavyweight division

Nevertheless, the steady and considered way in which he has gained weight, fight after fight, should be commended and has played a crucial role in his ability to excel in the bigger division.

Usyk has been known to employ a unique and varied training regime that utilises a mix of techniques that have enabled him to excel in the sport.

He focuses on strength and conditioning to bulk up, especially since moving up to the heavyweight division, but has also made note of his love for CrossFit exercises.

A key to his stamina in the ring is his extensive cardiovascular regiment that includes running, skipping, swimming, rowing, ladder drills and heavy bags.

The exercises not only improve his endurance in bouts but also help to build specific muscles, particularly in his lower body, which allow him to maintain a high intensity throughout lengthy clashes.

In 2021, Usyk came up against Anthony Joshua – the heaviest opponent he had faced since Witherspoon in his professional heavyweight debut with the Brit coming in at 240 and 244lbs in their two bouts.

Still, at his heftiest mark of 221lbs Usyk was more than able to withstand Joshua’s weighty blows and maintain the hand speed that enabled him to dominate the cruiserweight division.

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The Ukrainian has undergone a huge transformation after becoming a heavyweight boxer

The clash between Usyk and Fury promises to be one of the biggest in memory.

Usyk will bring the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles while Fury holds the WBC heavyweight crown – and there will be a new ‘undisputed’ belt up for grabs.

They will meet in the ring as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

Fury has been chomping at the bit since the fight was postponed from its original date of February 17 after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye in training.

A ‘dark and moody’ Jai Opetaia feels he belongs at boxing’s top table as the Australian cruiserweight prepares to win back his world title in Saudi Arabia.

The unbeaten 28-year-old’s (24-0) rematch with Latvia’s Mairis Briedis is the co-feature on Sunday morning’s (AEST) undisputed world heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh.

The pair waged war for the IBF world title on the Gold Coast almost two years ago, Opetaia defying a twice-broken jaw to upset the champion in a unanimous points decision.

Briedis, 39, hasn’t fought since.

Opetaia was dodged by other belt-holders, eventually securing a defence against the hapless Jordan Thompson in London and then wiping Ellis Zorro with a first-round knockout in his Riyadh debut last December.

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Jay Opetaia is hoping to end a recent run of Aussies losing world title shots when he takes on Mairis Briedis

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Opetaia, from the Gold Coast in Queensland, broke his jaw and still bravely managed to beat Briedis last time they fought in 2022

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Opetaia gets his world title shot against Briedis on the Tyson Fury/Oleksandr Usyk undercard

The second of those fights forced Opetaia to hand in his IBF strap, the organisation refusing to sanction the bout and demanding he instead fight Briedis despite the injured Latvian’s unavailability.

That fight’s now happening and the vacated belt is up for grabs, Opetaia with the opportunity to restore some order after a run of world title-fight losses for compatriots Tim Tszyu, George Kambosos Jnr, Jason and Andrew Moloney.

‘I feel like a whole different version of myself now,’ an unflinching Opetaia said.

‘I’ve picked it up a few levels. I’m 28 now, just going into my prime.

‘I’m the next generation of greatness coming through. I look around and I see greatness everywhere.

‘And I’m honoured to be in front of them, but it’s my time now.’

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Opetaia believes this title shot will help him show the world that he is capable of greatness

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While Opetaia has been in good form and is ready for the bout, Briedis hasn’t fought since he last took on the Aussie

Queensland-based New Zealand cruiserweight David Nyika (8-0) is also on the bill, fighting Germany’s Michael Seitz (12-0) for a chance to enter the division’s world rankings.

‘Jai seems pretty dark and moody; he’s got a lot going on but his priority seems to be to tear Briedis apart,’ Nyika told AAP.

‘He’s the best guy in the division right now, with a target on his head, but alot of guys don’t want anything to do with him.

‘But money talks and there’s money floating around in Saudi making these fights happen.’

The Gold Coast-based Opetaia made history as a 17-year-old at London’s 2012 Games, the country’s youngest Olympic boxer watching on as Usyk claimed gold.

The Ukrainian went on to unify the cruiserweight division and can now become the first man since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago to hold all of the heavyweight straps if he beats Fury.

Opetaia would love to fight Usyk, English promoter Eddie Hearn open in his plans to eventually promote the Australian to the heavyweight division.

But unification is the next step should Opetaia find a way past the Latvian (28-2), whose only other loss was to Usyk in a tight points decision six years ago.

‘I have big respect because when we fought, I saw a real warrior in the ring,’ Briedis said of Opetaia.