John Fury headbutts a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s camp (Image: No credit)
‘s promoter, Frank Warren, has assured fans that there will be no repeat of the dramatic scenes that unfolded during the first encounter with . In the initial bout back in May, , Tyson’s father, became the centre of a storm when he was seen with blood streaming down his face after headbutting a member of Usyk’s team in Riyadh.
The fracas required security intervention to separate the two camps as chants of “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk” rang out from the Ukrainian’s supporters. Despite efforts to stem the bleeding, Fury Sr had to be held back multiple times.
Upon seeing his father post-altercation, Tyson, who had been giving an interview and missed the incident, exclaimed: “What’s happened to your head you silly c***? How have you cut yourself like that? ” The moment was taken in stride as Fury addressed the crowd, declaring: “The greatest show on earth has begun here in Saudi Arabia. Enjoy, this is what it’s all about! Enjoyment and entertainment, you’re welcome. Fury, Fury, Fury. We can’t be beaten, anywhere we go. We are spartans, let’s f****ng go. Yous will get it, I live for this s***. Blood, guts and horror. I live for this s***.”
Fury Sr offered a heartfelt apology for the incident, stating: “Sincere apologies to everybody involved. It’s just the way we are. Emotions and tensions are running high. He was a very disrespectful fella. If you come close in a fighting man’s space, you’re gonna cop for something. What matters to me is respect for my son and he wasn’t showing any of it. He mentioned my son and that was it, so he had to have it. It doesn’t bother me [bleeding], it’s what we live for, we’re fighting people. That’s a regular occurrence to me.”
Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk again next month (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, boxing promoter Warren has promised a drama-free rematch, emphasizing the quality of the fight over any controversy. On DAZN’s FACE OFF, Warren confidently remarked: “That ain’t going to happen,” adding, “This fight doesn’t even need that because it was such a great fight between two of the best heavyweights of the twenty-first century. The last fight was a magnificent fight and it will be the same again. Anyone who knows anything about boxing will be tuned in on the 21st to see this. Because this is going to be another great, magnificent fight. I think [Fury is] going to win it and I think he’s going to stop him.”
Usyk made history by becoming the first man to defeat Fury in a professional match, clinching a split-decision victory back in May. The heavyweight titans are set to clash again in the ring on December 21. Following their initial bout, Fury’s team, including his father John, faced backlash after footage revealed them advising Fury that he was leading and didn’t need to push for a stoppage. There have been calls for Tyson to remove his father from his corner.
However, the 36 year old has firmly stated that he won’t be making any changes for the rematch. In a conversation with Paul Dempsey ahead of the launch of the new boxing game, ‘Undisputed,’ Fury was asked about his tactical plan for the second fight with Usyk.
“Not much time,” he responded. “I know what I’ve got to do, nothing drastic. People can say ‘I want to change trainers or I’ll blame it on me conditioning coach or I’ll blame it on the cook or I’ll blame it on the mouse next door.’ Same team, same everything. I know what I’ve got to do.”
He continued: “I thought I won the fight last time. I give him, me boxing all my life and watching boxing me whole career, I give him rounds eight, nine and ten, and round nine was a 10-8. So that’s what I give him out of the fight, but obviously the judges saw it a bit different, couple of them did. One of them had me winning. That’s what it was. It was as close as it can be.”