Fans are questioning whether Tyson Fury can start his rematch with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk without trimming his long beard in their headliner at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Fury’s Facial Fortification
The beard could be a way for Fury to cushion the blows that Usyk will be hit with to prevent him from being knocked out. To a Paul Bunyan lumberjack can save Fury from being knocked out by Usyk, giving him a chance to win on the scorecards.
It’s not exactly fair if Fury has a beard that is a defense like the historical one Maginot line. Should Usyk find a way to defeat this defensive stronghold? Will the beard defense hold up under the strategic attacks of Usyk?
Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev is allowed to fight with a beard, but he is not as tall as Fury’s, and he has had no trouble taking hard shots like the Gypsy King has.
“Knock him out. That’s what (trainer) Sugar (Hill Steward) and I plan to get him out of there,” Tyson Fury told Fight Hub TV, revealing his basic goal for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.
“I did everything well last time. I didn’t get it. It was a close battle. This time it will be a different battle. I’m going to be a different person, a different fighter. Last time I was 40%. 110% this time.
“Not true. I did spar a little, but not as much as I wanted. Let’s say it. I don’t want to make any excuses, but let’s just say the real Tyson Fury will show up on Saturday night. I think I’m going to knock him out. I don’t think I’m going to do that. I know I’m going to do it,” Fury said.
If Fury fails to knock Usyk out and he himself is stopped, we’ll see if Turki Alalshikh is still interested in paying him big money for his fights, as this will be his third straight real loss if you count what’ A defeat should have been against Francis Ngannou on October 28, 2023.
“When he comes on the attack, I will destroy him for sure. I have always been fearless in the waters of the heavyweight division. I have proven it time and time again. I’m here to put in a great performance and regain everything I’ve lost,” Fury said.
Tyson’s resume is too limited to say that he was “always fearless” during his career, as the only two notable world-class fighters he faced and beat were then-39-year-old Wladimir in 2015 and Deontay Wilder. Klitschko was obviously old and washed out, and Wilder was a shaky fighter whose best career win before fighting Fury was against 40-year-old Luis Ortiz.
Even in the case of Wilder, it’s fair to point out that he earned two knockout wins over Fury in fights #1 and #3. That score referee Jerry Reuss gave Fury in the 12th round of the first fight was so crazy. In the third fight, Fury was given what many felt was a long count after being dropped by Wilder in round four. Fury has a checkered past when it comes to avoiding defeats, with referees making strange calls that have worked in his favour.
Fury’s weight
“I’m the heaviest I’ve been in years. I’m about 295 pounds. show me the money I am a prize fighter; that’s what i do So, Klitschko wants another hiding place. I’m the man to do it,” Fury said of Turki Alalshikh who is reportedly interested in setting up a rematch between them.
Fury is obviously nowhere near 295 or even 280. His weight looks closer to 255 to 260. A fight against 48-year-old Wladimir Klitschko is unlikely to be an option if Fury loses to Usyk on Saturday night; it would take a lot of interest away from the small number of fans who would want to see that game.
