TYSON FURY has released an “important” video message following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Gypsy King was dethroned by the Ukrainian when they went glove-to-glove in the ring on May 18, with Usyk emerging as the unified and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Meanwhile, the split-decision judgement inflicted the first defeat of Fury’s professional career.
A rematch has since been confirmed and is set for December 21 this year, but Fury – normally a boisterous and outgoing personality on social media – has been quiet since the fight.
Only press conference clips and a poster confirming the winter rematch had been posted on his Instagram page.
That was until Fury sent a “very important message” to promoter Frank Warren ahead of tonight’s 5v5 Queensberry showdown with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
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However, ever one for some light-hearted humour, Fury declared the message to be so important that he was doing it from his bed.
While laying topless, he said: “Hey Tyson Fury here.
“Very important message and it’s that important that, I’ve done it from my bloody bedroom and my bed.
“Frank, Queensbury, all the boys on our team; do the business, smash Eddie Hearn and Matchroom and all the Matchroom fighters.
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“Get up there, come on Queensbury and Frank Warren, get up.
“All the best to all the fighters, good luck.”
The 5v5 showdown is being headlined by Deontay Wilder’s return to the ring for Matchroom against Zhilei Zhang.
There is a staggering 68.2 lbs difference between them for the bout.
They are both coming off the back of defeat to Joseph Parker in Riyadh, with the Bronze Bomber losing out in December while Zhang was beaten in March despite flooring Parker twice.
Frank Warren-Eddie Hearn 5v5 full card
Below you can see the full card for the 5v5 event in Riyadh tonight
What is the scoring system?
There has been a point scoring system devised to settle the big card.
In similar fashion to FPL Fantasy Football, the team captain will score DOUBLE points.
Hamzah Sheeraz is the Queensberry captain, while Deontay Wilder is the Matchroom skipper.
The points scoring system is as follows:
- Two points are given for a KO victory.
- One point is given for a win decided on the judges’ scorecards.
- Team captains score double points.
- Drawn fights are awarded no points.
What it the prize money?
The winning team’s promoter will be awarded $3m (£2.35m) in prize money.
Read how to watch it here.
For all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
The rematch will be superb.
Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
