Tyson Fury triumphs in a controversial appeal made by Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their rematch, with decisions on facial hair, religious symbols, and low-blow rules.
Fury’s Beard Controversy Settled
Tyson Fury has emerged victorious in a dispute over his facial hair ahead of his upcoming heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk’s team had submitted an appeal to the Middle East Boxing Commission, requesting that Fury shave or trim his beard before the fight. However, promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the Gypsy King will be allowed to keep his full beard for the title bout. This ruling maintains a long-standing tradition of fighters competing with facial hair.
Usyk’s Crucifix Appeal Rejected
In another ruling, Usyk faced a setback regarding his religious symbol. The Ukrainian boxer had hoped to have his crucifix, a cherished gift from Greek monks, in his corner during the fight. Known for kissing the cross for spiritual inspiration before and during fights,
Oleksandr Usyk will not be allowed to bring the item into the ring. Boxing officials made it clear that any items, aside from water, placed near the fighter’s lips during the match would be confiscated and tested for any irregularities.
Clarification on Low Blow Rules
Fury’s team also sought clarification about low blow rules in preparation for the fight, stemming from a controversial incident in Usyk’s 2023 match with Daniel Dubois. The dispute revolved around what constitutes a low blow, and Fury’s camp aimed to avoid any confusion in the upcoming match. A judge has now provided clear guidelines, with the rule being that anything below the navel is considered a low blow, an important factor given the controversies of Usyk’s previous bout.
Ahead of the rematch, Fury’s trainer, Andy Lee, shared his insight into Fury’s psychological approach to the fight. He referred to Fury as the “puppetmaster” due to his ability to control opponents during weigh-ins and interviews, though he noted that Usyk has proven to be a challenging figure for Fury to mentally dominate. Nonetheless, Fury remains confident, with Lee revealing that recent conversations during camp have given Fury a boost as the fight nears.
As the rematch approaches, all eyes will be on the ring in Riyadh this Saturday night to see whether Fury can retain his heavyweight title or if Usyk will emerge victorious in this highly anticipated bout.
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