The heavyweight rematch between Fury and Usyk II is imminent. Before that, both boxers delivered a record-breaking staredown in Riyadh.

Fury vs. Usyk II, the boxing highlight at the end of the year, is electrifying the boxing world. In keeping with the high expectations for the rematch, the two best heavyweights in the world delivered a spectacle of a special kind in the run-up to the fight. At the press conference for the rematch in the luxury shopping center Via Riyadh, they faced each other wordlessly. The so-called staredown lasted eleven minutes – a possible record in boxing. Neither boxer avoided the other’s gaze until the organizers finally separated the two.
Gypsy King with fight announcement before Fury vs. Usyk II
Tyson Fury was his usual confident self before the fight. “I’m going to hurt him,” the Englishman made clear. He wanted to put Usyk “on the injured list” and had talked enough. Fury had surprisingly lost to Usyk in May, who defeated him on points to win all the world titles.
The world champion remains calm and focused
Fury vs. Usyk II is more than just a rematch. In May, Fury suffered his first defeat as a professional. Usyk secured a historic position with his victory: he is the first heavyweight champion with four belts. He resigned his IBF belt shortly afterwards. So now the WBA, WBO and WBC world titles are at stake. Oleksandr Usyk was not rattled by Fury’s words. The Ukrainian remained calm and described the scene as a “show for the cameras”. For him, only the fight on Saturday mattered.
Now in BOXSPORT 06/25:
Shields, Taylor, Serrano & Co. – who are the best “Pound for Pound“? And where does the German undisputed champion Tina Rupprecht stand in the ultimate ranking? Plus: 25-year-old Devrim Gökduman has fought his way to the top of the national lightweight rankings. Plus: Junto Nakatani was long overshadowed by P4P superstar Inoue – Japan’s quiet boxing sensation now has a place in the limelight himself. And: BOXSPORT on the steep rise of the Fundora siblings. Plus lots of stories, analysis, rankings, fight reports and much more.
