Frank Warren has vowed there will be no repeat of the controversial headbutting incident involving John Fury when Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch on December 21.
The Queensberry promoter has promised to keep the focus firmly on the fight itself, following the dramatic scenes that unfolded during their first encounter in May when Fury’s father headbutted a member of Usyk’s team.
The highly anticipated rematch will take place at the Riyadh Arena, with Fury seeking to avenge his first professional defeat.
During the first fight’s build-up in Saudi Arabia, John Fury was seen with blood streaming down his face after headbutting Stanislav Stepchuk, a member of Usyk’s entourage.
John Fury headbutt a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team during the first fight’s build-up
YouTube
Security had to intervene to separate the two camps while Ukrainian supporters chanted “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk”.
John Fury later apologised, 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.”
Warren emphasised the fight’s significance on DAZN’s FACE OFF, saying: “That ain’t going to happen.
“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 promoter expressed confidence in the quality of the matchup, adding: “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.”
Warren boldly predicted: “I think [Fury is] going to win it and I think he’s going to stop him.”
Tyson Fury lost his first career boxing match in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk
PA
Despite criticism of his corner setup following the first fight, Tyson Fury has confirmed he will maintain the same team, including his father, for the rematch.
“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,” Fury stated.
The decision comes despite calls from several boxing pundits for Fury to remove his father from his corner after footage showed controversial corner advice during the first bout.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Tyson Fury will face Oleksandr Usyk on December 21
PA
Fury has made it clear he believes a knockout is essential for victory in the rematch.
“There’s no secret – I’m going in there to knock him out because I don’t think I’m gonna get a decision no matter what I do,” the heavyweight stated.
Reflecting on the first bout, Fury said: “I thought I won the fight last time. 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.”