Boxing

TYSON FURY has arrived for tonight’s blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk with his beard IN TACT.Team Usyk fumed at the length of the Gypsy King’s beard ahead of tonight’s Saudi showdown, claiming it “GROSSLY” violated strict facial hair length rules.Oleksandr Usyk’s team protested at the lengthy of Tyson Fury’s beard this weekCredit: AFPTeam Usyk believe it’s a “gross violation” of WBC rulesCredit: GETTYFury, however, has seemingly refused to remove his facial hairCredit: DAZNFury seemingly hasn’t taken his beard down at allCredit: SKY SPORTSBut The Gypsy King has appeared to have IGNORED the Ukrainians’ demands to get his razor out, arriving for the Riyadh rumble with his beard in full force.Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk wasn’t shy in voicing his belief that Fury’s facial hair is in violation of WBC rules.He said: “The beard rule is being grossly violated.“The WBC rules clearly say, ‘A boxer may espouse a trimmed beard as long as the hair thickness does not cushion or affect the impact or trajectory of punches, or cause cuts or abrasions to his rival’.”READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2″So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”Fury and his team, however, have seemingly refused to back down in Beardgate – which has become an unlikely talking point ahead of tonight’s eagerly-anticipated rematch.Queensberry Promotions chief Frank Warren said: “He has a beard and there have been a lot of fighters over the years who have fought with beards, and that’s it.”FURY-USYK BETTING TIPS AND FREE BETSHis manager Spencer Brown told ESPN: “Tyson Fury has boxed with a beard on many occasions as do other fighters.Most read in Boxing”Most recently [Artur] Beterbiev. “Usyk himself has come out publicly and said Tyson having a beard is no problem. Francis Ngannou arrives for Fury vs Usyk 2″There is no law or ruling in boxing to say you can’t fight with a beard. “It’s ridiculous that this has already been brought up in a rules meeting to no avail. “Simply put if Usyk had a beard we would have no issue. This is not a fashion show, it’s boxing.”Fury, 36, suffered a split decision defeat to Usyk in their historic undisputed straightener in May.The Wythenshawe warrior has appeared to put on several pounds in order to out-muscle and bully Usyk, who he wants to stop in devastating fashion.He said: “I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain.Tyson Fury has vowed to brutally exact revenge on Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty”I’m going to put this f****r in the hurt locker, for sure.”I’ve got nothing to say other than there’s going to be a whole load of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch.”That’s all I’ve got to say. The talking’s been done.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The first fight I talked, I joked, all my career. This fight I’m serious.”I’m going to do some f***ing damage.” More

PARIS FURY has backed husband Tyson to serve Oleksandr Usyk a brutal dish of revenge in their rematch. Usyk became the first man to ever defeat Fury after their 12-round classic in Saudi Arabia in May. Paris Fury arriving for Tyson’s fight against Oleksandr UsykParis stole the show in a floral outfitParis Fury watching from ringsideCredit: PANow they are back in Riyadh to do it all over again and Fury claimed he went three months without speaking to wife Paris in training camp. But the two are set to reunite after the bout – and Paris hopes with her husband victorious. She told TNT Sports: “Yeah it is nice. It’ll be nice to see him win tonight.”Asked for a prediction, she said: “Hopefully with the mood he’s in very quickly and very brutally.”READ MORE IN BOXINGParis threatened to steal the show in her floral outfit as she arrived for the biggest fight in Fury’s life. The Gypsy King spent weeks of gritty training out in Malta – without any contact with childhood sweetheart Paris. Fury said: “It’s been a long camp, been away from my wife and kids for three months.“I’ve not spoken to Paris at all for three months, not one word. I’ve sacrificed a lot. It will be worth it, 100 per cent.”Most read in BoxingFury vs Usyk 2 – top storiesREAD MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..All the info:News, features and interviews: CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSParis opened up on Fury’s period of silence in an interview with iFL TV. She said: “Yep it is true. ‘There was a sadness to him’ – Tyson Fury’s trainer reveals boxer’s torment over Paris’ miscarriage before Usyk fight”I think after the last fight, everything that went on previously personally in our lives and then Tyson obviously had the outcome last time, I just think he decided this on his own and I had to support him in it.”He didn’t want to be involved in family life so he’s cut himself off from us for the last few months and he has put himself in a serious, serious condition and he looks very, very determined.”So if it’s what needed to be, then God willing tomorrow night it will all come out and it will all be good and all worthwhile.”Asked how she has found the time apart, Paris continued: “It’s been very difficult I can’t lie.”I supported him in the decision but it wasn’t the greatest thing to sit and not speak to your husband for a long time.”Yesterday was the first time I saw him, we still haven’t spoken, I literally was ten feet across from him and we’ve just barely made eye contact.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But I can see and I think in my heart it’s paid off.”I haven’t seen him like this since the Deontay Wilder rematch, this was the last time I’ve seen Tyson in this mood so I can’t give you much inside scoop because we haven’t spoken for weeks and weeks and weeks.”Paris Fury spent three months without talking to TysonCredit: InstagramTyson Fury was out training in MaltaCredit: instagram @tysonfuryFury facing off with UsykCredit: Reuters More

OLEKSANDR Usyk has sent fans into a frenzy with his bizarre impression of Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian champion is aiming to repeat his first fight heroics and retain his heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia tonight.Oleksandr Usyk sent fans into a frenzy with his impression of Tyson FuryCredit: XFans agreed that it was more ‘Mr.Bean than Fury’Credit: XFury and Usyk will finally settle their feud in a mouthwatering Riyadh rematch tonightCredit: GettyUsyk beat Fury on points to become the undisputed champ in May, the first in the four-belt era, but has dropped the IBF band for the rematch.Fury, 36, has repeatedly mocked Usyk, branding his foe a “rabbit” and taunting his inability to “finish the job” in their first bout.The Brit will no doubt alter his harsh stance after the final bell has rung, but Usyk’s impression of the Gypsy King has resurfaced.During an interview in October 2023, with negotiations over the first fight rumbling on, he began to jokingly burble in a British accent.READ MORE FURY v USYK Usyk said: “Tyson Fury he is a good family man, but if you switch on the TV or a camera, it’s a change. Like an alien you, know?”Before shifting into a strange accent saying: “You Rabbit, you b***h, light heavyweight, middleweight.”Fans were quick to react to the viral clip, with one writing: “Hahaha why does he sound like Mr. Bean? 😂😂😂.”While another said: “Good impression, just like him to be fair!”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFans compared Usyk’s impression of Fury to Rowan Atkinson’s character Mr. BeanCredit: AlamyA third added: “He honoured Fury and clowned him in less than 60 seconds.”One more replied: “Anyone else think it was more Mr. Bean than Tyson Fury? 😅” ‘I can’t lie’- Tyson Fury’s wife Paris admits heartache at boxer cutting himself off from family for THREE MONTHSUsyk, 37, is the only man to inflict defeat on Fury in the professional ranks.The Briton is a slight underdog as he aims to become the first fighter to beat the Ukrainian warhorse. Meanwhile, Fury has been granted permission to keep his beard for tonight’s heavyweight showdown.Usyk’s team had wanted the Gypsy King to shave off his bushy beard for the Saudi rematch.They suggested that it could actually cushion a blow to the face, which would benefit Fury during the fight.Fury vs Usyk 2 – top storiesREAD MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..All the info:News, features and interviews: More

BOXING chiefs have drafted in inexperienced official Ignacio Robles in their search for a third judge just hours before the blockbuster rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.Fury, 36, and Usyk, 37, are set to lock horns tonight in a heavyweight showdown at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with the WBO, WBA, and WBC championships on the line.A replacement third judge has been found for the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr UsykCredit: PAInexperienced official Ignacio Robles will be officiating Fury vs Usyk IICredit: GettyFernando Barbosa was expected to be one of the three judges for the fight but was unable to travel due to illness.That left both fight camps split between officials Steve Weisfeld and Robles.But following a coin toss, it was ruled that the judge from Panama would be the replacement.Robles is not very experienced but has previously been a judge at ringside for British fighters.Read More on BoxingHe officiated when Dmitry Bivol defeated Mancunian boxer Lyndon Arthur in Saudi Arabia last year.Fury and Usyk’s first fight in May went to the judges after 12 gruelling rounds.And it was the undefeated Ukrainian who prevailed via split decision to extend his staggering winning streak to 22 fights.This marked Fury’s first ever loss in 36 fights, 34 of which he has won during his glittering 16-year career.Most read in BoxingIn the first contest Usyk earned scorecards of 115-112 from judge Manuel Oliver Palomo and 114-113 from Mike Fitzgerald.The British boxing superstar, on the other hand, snatched the other card with a score of 114-113 from judge Craig Metcalfe.Watch Oleksandr Usyk’s bizarre impression of Tyson Fury… but fans convinced he sounds just like Mr Bean insteadFury has never been knocked out and Usyk is still undefeated, therefore it is highly likely the result may have to go to the judges once more.Fury vs Usyk 2 – top storiesREAD MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..All the info:News, features and interviews: More