Moments in the past at the moment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rival heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury got here face once more forward of Saturday’s enormous DAZN PPV rematch. The 2 stated little or no on the presser – Usyk gave his customary “don’t be afraid, I cannot depart you alone” bit, whereas Fury promised most violence – however then got here the stare-down. Probably the most agonizingly lengthy and tense ever seen.
The 2 males approached one another within the customary method, however this stare-down was totally different. Neither man blinked as they fastened a piercing gaze on each other. Heck, neither man appeared to be respiratory. It went on and on. It was bizarre to observe, and it was even disturbing.
Lastly, after round 9 or ten minutes (as pundit Steve Bunce stated on air, he wished he’d run a clock over the loopy stare-down), WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman bought between the 2 males, however even then, neither Usyk nor Fury would stroll away, would avert their gaze. Then Fury started speaking, however the audio was not in a position to decide up what the previous heavyweight champ was saying. However it was clearly violence-related, and Usyk gave again nearly as good as he bought. Then, “pathetically,” as one fan wrote on the sidebar feedback characteristic of the YouTube protection of at the moment’s presser, the sign was misplaced, and we by no means bought to see Usyk and Fury stroll away. You couldn’t make it up; billions of $ to make these struggle playing cards, but we get amateur-hour web protection of the presser!
The lengthy historical past of stare-downs in boxing has given us some tough ones, with a significant want for safety. In the present day’s stare-down should rank as one of many longest and iciest ever seen! Whether or not or not what occurred at the moment could have any impact on what occurs within the ring on Saturday, we should wait and see.
However there was no taking part in at the moment, no hype, no circus present. It was actual, it was intense, and it’s clear Usyk and Fury are able to go. Fury, particularly, has by no means seemed so fixated on an opponent. Judging by at the moment’s, let’s say it once more, icily intense stare-down; we are able to count on each males to provide completely all the things they’ve in an effort at profitable.
Have you ever modified your thoughts on who wins as many occasions as a few of us have? It’s a tricky one to decide on, however the decide right here stays Usyk—nearly.
“DON’T YOU BE AFRAID YOU RABBIT LOOKING F*CKER”
The entire audio from @Tyson_Fury confrontation following their 10-minute face-off 🍿
🎬 @UsyksBurner #UsykFury2 | #RiyadhSeason | #BoxingHype pic.twitter.com/8JyHLlEeBN
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) December 19, 2024
