“You are the next yelled Tyson Fury at Alexander Usyk, inches from his face. And to chain a series of insults that the Ukrainian, smiling, a cap on his head, listened to without saying a word, probably not understanding them. “Usyk, little dwarf weighing 95 kg! I have already beaten a Ukrainian, Vladimir Klitschko, you will be next! »
After retaining his WBC heavyweight title by beating his compatriot Derek Chisora by referee stoppage in the tenth round, Saturday evening in front of the 70,000 spectators at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Fury (34 years old, 2.06 m, 121.750 kg , 33 wins, including 24 before the limit, 1 draw, 0 loss) called the Ukrainian (35 years old, 1.91 m, 20 wins, including 13 before the limit, 0 loss), WBA-WBO champion to the ring -IBF.
“Where is the rabbit? »he had shouted at the microphone of the announcer, inciting the Ukrainian, whom he calls ” the rabbit “to leave his place to join him. “And if he doesn’t want to face meFury yelled, I will fight Joe Joyce at Wembley! » But the WBC champion will be well opposed to Usyk and not to his compatriot Joyce (37 years old, 15 v., including 14 before the limit., 0 d.), because the two men will face each other in March, probably in Riyadh ( Saudi Arabia), to designate the indisputable world champion in the category. Fury’s co-promoter with Englishman Frank Warren, American Bob Arum announced that the two sides had reached an agreement for all points of the contract.
“The greatest heavyweight championship in history”
Alexandre Krassyuk, promoter d’Usyk
” Everything is in orderconfirms Alexandre Krassyuk, promoter of Usyk, but also of Denys Berinchyk, challenger of Yvan Mendy, except for the place. It will probably be in Saudi Arabia. If it’s not the case (local organizers will have to offer a fortune to host the fight), we have many other options. It’s the biggest heavyweight championship in history and it won’t be hard to find a place for it. »
After his victory over the Englishman Anthony Joshua last August in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Usyk spent a few days with his family, refugees in Spain, before returning to Ukraine. “He worked with his foundation which helps people affected by the Russian invasionprécise Krassyuk. In particular, it helps in the reconstruction of bombed-out houses. Last Monday he met President Volodymyr Zelensky, and on Thursday he drove to Poland to catch a plane to London. »
Chisora did her best
Fury’s insults to Usyk will remain the event of the evening, as the WBC champion’s victory will be far from unforgettable. Perhaps because he picked his own opponent, Fury, a 20-to-1 favorite, stalled, took his time to beat him. The WBC champion, who likes him rather well since his two victories over him (on points in 2011, by abandonment at the call of the eleventh round in 2014), mastered the fight, giving the impression of not forcing. As strong-willed as ever, Chisora gave his best, pushing forward with wide thrusts, but Fury put him in trouble as soon as he accelerated.
The WBC champion, however, did not seek to end it and calmed down immediately. However, the challenger, with a very marked face, seemed increasingly exhausted and, at the start of the tenth round, was slow to get up from his stool. Also, with good reason, the British referee Victor Loughlin stopped him during the round, without him being really shaken by a blow. But Chisora (38 years old, 1.87m, 118.100kg, 33 wins, including 23 before the limit, 13 losses) did not protest, even thanking the referee later for his intervention.
Fury had long hoped to be able to face another Englishman on Saturday, Joshua (33 years old, 1.98m, 24 v., including 22 before the deadline, 2 d.), but the latter had finally declined the offer. “This fight will never happen.says Fury. He was offered 40 million dollars to face me this Saturday, but he fell…under him. He ran away like a little dog. »