Tyson Fury reveals what he told Oleksandr Usyk in first face-to-face meeting

The pair hold all the major heavyweight titles between them

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Monday 13 December 2021 10:39 GMT
Comments
Tyson Fury leads rude chant about Anthony Joshua in front of fans

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk went face-to-face for the first time at the weekend, sizing each other up ahead of a potential clash in the future.

In September, Usyk outpointed Anthony Joshua to take the Briton’s WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles, a month before Fury stopped Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout to retain the WBC belt.

While the first of those results has scuppered a long-awaited, all-British unification bout between Fury and Joshua – for now, at least – it has increased the appetite among fans for a showdown between the ‘Gypsy King’ and Usyk.

Such a fight seems unlikely to take place in the near future, with Joshua having triggered a rematch clause to face Usyk again, and Fury having been ordered to fight mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte. But Fury and Usyk met in New York City’s Madison Square Garden at the weekend, the undefeated fighters exchanging words.

While the encounter appeared to be cordial, with Fury seemingly joking about his height advantage, the Briton was later asked by Fight Hype what he had said to the southpaw and replied: “Usyk can suck my b****.”

Oleksandr Usyk (left) greets Tyson Fury in Madison Square Garden
Oleksandr Usyk (left) greets Tyson Fury in Madison Square Garden (@trboxing via Twitter)

Fury, 33, also had a message for Wilder, whom he has now stopped twice in back-to-back fights, saying: “Keep going, champ, you can do it!

“I believe in Deontay Wilder. He will be heavyweight champion once again. Believe that.”

Fury is unbeaten in 32 fights, with 31 wins (22 via knockout) and one draw – in his first meeting with Wilder.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Usyk has won all 19 of his professional fights, with 13 KOs to his name.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in