Tyson Fury has arrived at the Kingdom Arena for his clash with Oleksandr Usyk – and has kept his word when it comes to his beard.
The 36-year-old will be hoping to win the rematch, having suffered the first professional defeat of his career to the same opponent earlier in the year.
Prior to the clash, there has been controversy over Fury’s facial hair.
While the Briton was clean shaven for the first showdown in May, he’s opted to go for a wilder look this time as he looks to avenge his defeat.
Tyson Fury has arrived at the Kingdom Arena for his clash with Oleksandr Usyk – and has kept his word when it comes to his beard
DAZN
Usyk, for his part, has insisted he’s got no issue with Fury’s new look.
But members of his entourage have been left unhappy, with Usyk’s manager, Alex Krassyuk, insisting they were going to take things further.
However, it appears Fury has got his way with the 36-year-old arriving at the Kingdom Arena with his beard intact.
The Gypsy King seemed to be in good spirits as he made his way into the arena, with Fury looking calm and composed.
Regarding his beard, the fighter’s own manager, Spencer Brown, today insisted he wouldn’t be changing his appearance.
“Tyson Fury has boxed with a beard on many occasions as do other fighters, most recently [Artur] Beterbiev,” he told ESPN.
“Usyk himself has come out publicly and said Tyson having a beard is no problem.
“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.
READ MORE:Tyson Fury makes final decision on shaving his beard amid row ahead of Oleksandr Usyk boxing rematch
“Simply put if Usyk had a beard we would have no issue.
“This is not a fashion show, it’s boxing.”
Fury has bulked up as he looks to get the better of Usyk.
And boxing commentator Steve Bunce thinks that tactic could take a ‘toll’ on the heavyweight star – instead of working in his favour.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Stream the long-awaited rematch between the two best heavyweights in the world, Fury vs Usyk. The clash will see Tyson Fury aim to avenge his first-ever professional loss, as he fights Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the second time in a year. DAZN lets you stream across a range of devices, from iPhone, Android, iPad, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Samsung TVs, and many more. New users qualify for a 7-day free trial too. The fight is also available to stream via Amazon’s Prime Video service and TNT Sports too
. @Tyson_Fury arrives to watch his good friend @isaaclowe6 go to battle 🤝#UsykFury2 | NOW | #RiyadhSeason | Live on TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office & DAZN PPV pic.twitter.com/udeLj6508M
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) December 21, 2024
“Take off the leather clothing, and let’s say he’s down to 277,” he said. “He’s been there before. I haven’t liked him at that weight.
“That’s when he’s slow and cumbersome. That’s obviously the plan.
“That’s a great plan, but what happens in round six if Usyk has avoided all the danger. All that weight takes a toll.
Tyson Fury will be hoping to win his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday nightPA
“Usyk, with his clothes on, he’s probably exactly the same as he was in the last fight because that’s what he is.
“He’s a scientist.”