Aurelia Butler

OLEKSANDR USYK’s team have added safety fears to a list of twists ahead of Saturday’s mega match-up with Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian’s camp have reportedly filed a complaint that the seam on the ring canvas in Saudi Arabia could be a trip hazard.Oleksandr Usyk is training in Riyadh amid a safety complaintCredit: AFPTyson Fury pulled out of a big TV interview on ThursdayCredit: AFPSky Sports Boxing say his team have registered concerns over the fabric 48 hours before the first undisputed heavyweight crown bout since 1999.At the same Riyadh venue three years ago – on the night Usyk landed his second win over Anthony Joshua – Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang slipped on the mat while talking to the referee.The canvas controversy continues a dramatic build-up to what Fury calls “the fight for the ages” – one worth well beyond £100million in all.The Gypsy King, 35, pulled out of a live interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday due to his training schedule.READ MORE TOP STORIESBut that’s nothing compared to what went before as the unbeaten giants of boxing prepare to collide in the Middle East.Fight week began with Tyson’s dad John headbutting a member of Usyk’s team.Fury Junior and his 37-year-old opponent then took to the ring for public workouts on Wednesday.Usyk attempted some mind games by changing from his typical orthodox stance to southpaw.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Fury had a trick of his own as the switch-hitting Brit also boxed southpaw for his own routine.The Gypsy King said: “This is the fight of the ages, nothing can compare with this. Tyson Fury shows off his air guitar skills to AC/DC and sings Mr Brightside as son Prince holds up WBC belt at open media workout ahead of Usyk bout”Not a show fight, not a crossover fight, not YouTube boxing, nothing.“This is two undefeated world heavyweight championships colliding for all the belts and it hasn’t been done since whenever.”And in an interview with Sky, Fury added: “We both can’t have the destiny of being the undisputed in this era, and we won’t be young enough to go into another era undisputed.”So it’s D-Day for both fighters.”Just how high the extraordinary figure that each icon will rake in from their long-awaited and much-delayed encounter is unclear.But Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum has a mind-boggling take on the sums involved for his man alone.READ MORE SUN STORIESArum said: “If you told Tyson Fury that he’s going to make $100million [£78m) he would really be upset because he thinks, and I think he’s right, that he’s going to make a lot more.”I don’t know the figure, but it’s a lot more than $100m.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA will fight the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic next.That is according to Saudia Arabian promoter Turki Alalsikh.Anthony Joshua has promised to fight at Wembley in SeptemberCredit: PAJoshua will fight the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Filip HrgovicCredit: GettyJoshua, 34, has won his last four fights against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and most recently Francis Ngannou.He has been tipped to fight Tyson Fury but will have to wait as the Gypsy King has a two-fight agreement with Oleksandr Usyk.That means AJ will have to settle for another contender, with Alalsikh confirming his next fight will take place in September.He told the MMA Hour: “We have Joshua’s fight in September, it all depends on the result of the Hrgovic fight [with Dubois].READ MORE IN BOXING”Because now we have locked Wilder to Jared Anderson in the card in Los Angeles.”Deontay Wilder, 38, was another option to face Joshua but the American fell down the pecking order following his defeat to Joseph Parker.However the Bronze Bomber remains hopeful of resurrecting the £100million superfight and would be willing to fight Joshua in London.For now though Joshua will face the winner of Dubois vs Hrgovic, which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 1.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.
Joshua has promised his next fight will take place at Wembley, hinting at a possible date of September 20 or 21.And he could fight for the IBF title, which could be stripped from Usyk and given to the winner of Dubois vs Hrgovic. More

TYSON FURY won’t become the greatest boxer of all time with a win over Oleksandr Usyk as he has “more” work to do, it’s been claimed.The Gypsy King will look to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly a quarter of a century on Saturday night against the undefeated Ukranian.Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight hardware this weekendCredit: EPAThe Gypsy King has claimed a win over Usyk will make him boxing’s GOATCredit: GETTYFormer undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has rubbished that claimCredit: GETTYA win over former cruiserweight king Usyk will go a long way to backing Fury’s claim to be the best heavyweight of his era.Fury, however, reckons it’ll also make him the best fighter ever to lace up a pair of gloves – a claim the last man to hold all the heavyweight marbles has rubbished.When asked if Fury can become the “GOAT” with a win over Usyk, Brit boxing icon Lennox Lewis told The Daily Mail: “No, there’s more to be done.”Lewis, like many boxing fans, believes Fury will enhance his resume by sharing the ring with one man – fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.The 58-year-old said: “People will be saying, ‘Oh, he didn’t fight AJ!'”So, he still has to fight AJ. I think that’s the fight the British public are going to love and that they will want.”Before he can think about AJ, Fury must first successfully do what no man has done and get the better of Usyk – not once but TWICE, due to the rematch clause.And despite all Fury’s physical advantages over the fan favourite, Lewis insists the slick Ukrainian southpaw will give his opponent a real run for his money.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “This fight is not going to be an easy fight for Tyson Fury.”He’s up against an undisputed champion. A winner.Exclusive interview with Lennox Lewis ahead of Fury vs Usyk in Saudi Arabia”Usyk is going to try and use up every advantage he can to try and win this fight.”Fury, 35, dreamed of following in Lewis’ footsteps and having all the belts wrapped around him when he began his professional career 16 years ago.And the Wythenshawe warrior is itching to make his dream come true, saying: “From a little boy, I said that and achieved it.”So I’ve got to be one of the rare few people who dreamed something as a child and achieved it as an adult.”It’s been [an] amazing journey.”And here we are now, 16 years later, about to be [the] undisputed champion of the world.”The biggest fight, in the last 25 years, which is an amazing effort.”Lennox Lewis reckons Tyson Fury must face Anthony Joshua before it’s all said and doneCredit: GETTY More

TYSON FURY has received a good luck message from Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.The former Manchester United star is a big fan of the Gypsy King and he urged him to “make history” in Saudi Arabia.Fury can become undisputed heavyweight champion by beating Usyk on Saturday, with both fighters undefeated going into the clash.Ibrahimovic told Fury to enjoy himself in the ring but made sure to remind the Brit that he needs to win.He said in a video message to the boxer: “Tyson Fury what’s up. Hope you had a good pre-camp preparation. You look good you look sharp.”Enjoy the fight. I’m pretty sure you know what you have to do. And I’m pretty sure you will do what you have been doing always, making history.READ MORE IN BOXING”Be yourself. Go in there and dance and make us enjoy. But the most important thing, do what you’re able to do and that’s winning.”Go out there and have fun and make sure you win, like always. Make history and we will be watching.”Fury, 35, has teased a shock change of tactics for the biggest fight of his career, hitting the pads with trainer SugarHill Steward in a southpaw position this week.The Gypsy King may believe the stance is the best way to counter Usyk’s own southpaw style, which got the better of Anthony Joshua twice.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever Usyk has also played mind games by adopting an orthodox stance during a public workout.He later stared down his opponent when it was Fury’s turn to show off his skills.Southpaw genius Usyk tries to puzzle Fury by hitting pads in orthodox stance More

A FORMER boxer once dubbed the “toughest white man on the planet” by Mike Tyson has called out John Fury.John, 59, caused mayhem in Saudi Arabia on Monday ahead of his son Tyson’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk after he headbutted a member of the Ukrainian’s team.Former Irish boxer Joe Egan has called out John FuryCredit: X @bigjoeeganFury headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage on MondayHe has since apologised for the violent act, but is continuing to receive huge criticism for his behaviour.And now ex-Irish professional boxer Joe Egan, 59, has called John out for a dust-up.Speaking on X he said: “I believe you’ve all seen the conduct of this lowlife, bully boy, thug John Fury today.”I want to take this chance to apologise on behalf of the boxing world to the Saudi Royal Family, the people of Saudi Arabia who have welcomed the Fury family into their wonderful country.READ MORE IN BOXING”Also to the people of Ukraine for the conduct of this scumbag.”I would take great pleasure in smashing this man to bits, if he ever has the courage to step into the ring with me.”He then went on to add: “The world wants to see manners put on this man, and I am the man to do it.”The week of your son’s biggest fight John, and you conduct yourself like this.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEgan won 13 of his 16 professional fights but failed to secure a knockout victory in his entire career.He once sparred legendary heavyweight Tyson, 57, before claiming the iconic boxer had named him the “toughest white man on the planet”.EXCLUSIVE: John Fury left BLEEDING after crazy altercation with Oleksandr Usyk’s team ahead of Fury vs UsykYet he still feels he could KO Fury Sr – who won eight of his 13 pro bouts.Despite apologising, John attempted to justify the headbutt by telling Sky Sports News, he said: “[They] disrespected my son, the best heavyweight to ever wear a pair of boxing gloves.”Coming out with all that rubbish. He’s in my face, trying to be clever.”Coming into my space, ‘Usyk, Usyk’, nobody’s bothering with them. I was only chanting my own son’s name.”They stepped closer, stepped closer. So I’m a warrior at the end of the day, that’s what we do. We’re fighting people, you come in the space, you’re gonna get what’s coming.”Egan, far right, with Mike Tyson back in 2007Credit: PA:Press AssociationFury was slammed for headbutting the member of Usyk’s teamCredit: PA More