By: Sean Crose
Maybe nobody ought to be shocked. John Fury, father of WBC titlist Tyson Fury, headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s group in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Usyk is, after all, preventing the youthful Fury this Saturday for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. That truth, nevertheless, didn’t preserve a melee from occurring between the 2 fighter’s groups simply days earlier than the match. “We will’t be beat!” the senior Fury yelled to the gang after the headbutt, blood streaming down his brow. Afterward, he advised The Stomping Floor that he was advantageous. Regardless of all that had simply transpired, Fury truly then tipped his hat to Usyk. “I’ve to admire him,” he mentioned of his son’s opponent.
Fury had additionally added that peace had subsequently been made between the 2 camps. “They got here and apologized to me,” he mentioned, “and he didn’t need to.” When requested what led to the headbutt, Fury was clear: “He (a member of Crew Usyk) mentioned one thing about my son.” The entire affair was basic John Fury, a boisterous, good natured supporter of his son who nonetheless is understood for flying off the deal with. Though this form of factor isn’t unusual in boxing, it’s by no means good to see a melee erupt, particularly between people who received’t even be squaring off within the ring themselves.
The reality is that vitality ranges are fairly excessive now that Fury and Usyk are lastly going to sq. off this weekend. Initially, there hasn’t been an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the reason that reign of the good Lennox Lewis – and that was ages in the past. What’s extra, the combat was postponed after Fury acquired harm in coaching earlier this yr. Positive sufficient, there’s nonetheless worry that one thing would possibly happen which, even at this late date, will preserve the extremely anticipated throwdown from taking place as scheduled in 5 days.
The reality is that Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are in some ways opposites, not solely stylistically, however personality-wise, as effectively. Fury is towering, loud and enigmatic. The comparatively chill (and at instances humorous) Usyk, then again, is a extra historically constructed heavyweight. Usyk can be a person who likes to make use of angles within the ring, whereas Fury could be aggressive, but additionally extraordinarily slippery. Two totally different fighters. Two totally different outlooks. Little marvel that, on the eve of the most important heavyweight battle in years, tempers are beginning to flare. Let’s simply hope everybody retains issues in verify from right here on out.
