Fury and Usyk share 11-minute staredown ahead of rematch

Tension is building ahead of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night in Riyadh, with the pair sharing an 11-minute staredown in the build-up to their fight.

The two faced off on Thursday night in Riyadh as part of the pre-fight formalities, but there was a clear shift in intensity at the final press conference when it came time for Fury and Usyk to face off.

For the better part of 10 minutes, they locked eyes without speaking or moving.

Organisers attempted to break them up by holding sheets of paper and handkerchiefs in front of them, but it was not until multiple members of staff physically got between the pair that the deadlock was broken.

Before parting ways, a heated exchange of words occurred as well, with the entire staredown lasting 11 minutes and 13 seconds.

“I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain,” Fury said in the subsequent press conference.

“I’ve got nothing to say apart from there’s going to be a whole of pain and hurt in this fight.

“This time I’m serious. Watch me go to work.”

The pair fought back in May, with Usyk winning by split decision and handing Fury his first loss despite being an underdog across most boxing betting sites.

Now the Ukrainian is favoured to defend his unified heavyweight titles, paying -138.89 to win at Bovada.

“We have just a performance, talk, cameras, lights, kind of a show,” Usyk said on Thursday.

“Everything’s going to be taking place Saturday night on the 21st.

“Don’t be afraid, I will not leave you (Fury) alone. See you on Saturday.”

Sports news