FURY PUSHING IT AT WEIGH-IN
TYSON FURY finally cracked last night as he transformed into his alter ego and shoved Oleksandr Usyk.
They clash tonight bidding to become the division’s first undisputed world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Fury refused to faceoff with his rival earlier in the week. But last night, after weighing in two stones heavier than Usyk at 18st 7lb, he met his fellow champion’s gaze and pushed him before both men were held back.
Fury, who scaled his lightest since he beat Otto Wallin five years ago, warned Usyk he won’t find a chink in his armour tonight.
“I’m bulletproof on fight day,” he said. “I can’t be affected because I’m not Tyson Fury, I’m the Gypsy
King – it’s a different mentality completely.
“I’m really looking forward to putting on a show. It’s not just a boxing match, it’s more than that.
“It’s entertainment, it’s showtime and it’s time to have fun and enjoy. All the hard work’s been done.
“It’s a very important fight. This is for the glory of all boxing, the heavyweight championship of the world so it’s a big occasion.”
But despite the magnitude of the fight, Fury insists he has never been more relaxed.
“The pressure’s off now,” he added. “I’m doing it now because I can and I’ve been doing it for that reason for the last five years, because I can, that’s it, whereas before, I had to do it.
“I had to accumulate some assets and a few quid about me. I’ve done that a long time ago and I’m doing it now for the fun of it.”
Fury stands on the precipice of history.
He is hours away from possibly becoming the first man in 25 years who can call himself the best heavyweight in the world.
He is primed to be Britain’s richest sportsman thanks to a €93m payday.
But for Fury, fame is a lonely word. So much so he finds solace only behind the high walls of his gated mansion where clamouring fans can’t hassle him.
Or down deserted paths, walking his dog alone for fear the Rottweiler’s jaws will land him in court.
“My idea of a good day is getting up early, going for a run, dropping the kids off at school, and then I found this really long walk with nobody on it and I take the dog for a walk inprivacy,” said the W BC champion, who will be looking to add the WBA, WBO and IBF titles to his crown.
“I’m very cautious of taking my dog for a walk because it can jump up to somebody and all of a sudden you’ve got a lawsuit.
“When you’re in my position, everybody is hunting you down, wanting a few quid off you, so I go where nobody else is.
“Everyone wants to be famous for five minutes until they’ve done it. It’s a curse, for sure.
“People are always sold a dream of being rich and famous but it’s probably not true when you finally get there.
Normal
“There’s a lot to be said for having a normal 9-to-5 job and being a normal person.
“You can do normal stuff every day and go anywhere you want.
“I can’t go anywhere, I’m tortured.
“I can’t even have dinner without people round my neck taking pictures.
“I feel like hitting them in the mouth.
“People have no respect, they’re straight over. It’s horrible.
“If you can earn plenty of money but not to be famous, I think you’re onto a winner.”
That is not a luxury afforded to Fury ahead of the biggest heavyweight fight since Lennox Lewis stopped Mike Tyson.
The Saudi Arabian desert may not be the most fitting host of a battle for what remains one of the greatest prizes in sport.
Fury will start as a wafer-thin favourite and at 6ft 9in and almost 19 stone has all the attributes to nullify his slick southpaw rival.
Usyk is not at all fazed by the task at hand.
But if Fury should prevail after 12 tense and possibly ugly rounds.
Whether he likes it or not, further fame and fortune awaits.