'Forget their belts. I'm going for his heart, he'll get it tomorrow,' Fury threatened in a brief fight with Usyk.
Tyson Fury shoved and swore at Oleksandr Usyk at the weigh-in as the build-up to their historic undisputed heavyweight clash came to life.
A shirtless Fury glared at the Ukrainian and then shoved him angrily, causing a brief melee on stage, before hurling a series of curse words at his opponent on Friday.
“We're ready to rock and roll, so tomorrow night there will be fireworks. I'm going to play [him] spark,” the 35-year-old Brit roared, drawing applause from the crowd.
“I come for your heart, that's why I come. [Forget] their belts. I'm going for his heart, he will receive it tomorrow, let off sparks!
Fury weighed 118.8 kilograms (262 pounds), more than 6.8 kg (15 pounds) less than his last outing, while Usyk weighed 105.9 kg (233.5 pounds), significantly more than his usual 100, 2kg (221lbs).
When Ukraine's Usyk was asked what he had told Fury, he replied: “Don't be afraid, I won't leave you tomorrow.”
He said he was able to stay calm “because that's my plan. “If I’m nervous, I won’t win.”
'The fight we were waiting for'
On Saturday, the two undefeated fighters will contest the first undisputed heavyweight clash since 1999, looking to capture the four main belts.
Promoter Frank Warren called it “the most important fight of the 21st century.”
“It's the fight we've been waiting for: the two best heavyweights in the world, both undefeated,” he said on a sweltering Thursday afternoon.
“This is something special. fights like [this] “It comes once in a generation.”
Opinions are divided on the outcome, with some leaning towards the lanky and cunning “Gypsy King” Fury and others backing Usyk's supreme skills and physical condition.
“Tyson Fury should win on points,” Lewis told the BBC. “The bigger guy has longer arms and great movement.”
However, Tony Bellew, Usyk's latest cruiserweight victim, warned: “He is the best and purest boxer Fury will ever face.”
“The guy is on another platform. “There are the boxers and then there is Usyk,” Bellew added.
The final build-up has been explosive at times, including when Fury's father head-butted a member of Usyk's entourage and was seen with blood running down his face.
However, both fighters appeared taciturn during Thursday's final press conference, with Fury promising to pray for Usyk and the Ukrainian scribbling a poem.
Fury tipped the scales at a bulky 125.9kg (277.7lbs) against MMA convert Francis Ngannou in October, when he looked sluggish and was knocked down before winning a split decision.
The “Gypsy King” weighed 112 kg (247 lb) in his biggest win to date, defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. The lightest weight of his career was 111.3 kg (245.5 lb) for Vinny Maddalone in 2012 .
Usyk, a former cruiserweight, had been remarkably consistent during his heavyweight career, weighing in at 100.2 kg (221 lb) in his 2021 and 2022 wins over Anthony Joshua, and 99.7 kg (220 lb) against Daniel Dubois last year.
Stories of his training are legendary, including swimming 10 kilometers (6 miles), holding his breath for more than four minutes, juggling (and catching) six coins at a time to demonstrate his reflexes.
With little to choose between them, it may depend on who is smart and adapts during the 12 scheduled rounds.
We have a fight 🔥
Usyk: 233.5 pounds
Fury: 262 poundsUndisputed Heavyweight Championship 👑
Who wins and how? 🔥#Boxing #boxing #AMB #AMBBoxing #FuriaUsyk #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/32SqkrLUhH
– WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) May 17, 2024
