It’s my time, my destiny, my era: Fury

TYSON Fury has declared it is “my time, my destiny, my era and my generation” ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

WBC champion Fury is set to fight Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO title-holder Usyk on May 18 in Saudi Arabia in the first undisputed world heavyweight bout of the century.

Regarding his opponent, former unified cruiserweight champion who made his heavyweight debut in 2019, Fury told a press conference: “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him, he don’t hate me.

“I respect him, as a man, as a fighter. Everyone has to respect the man’s achievements.

“Good fighter – I have a tough challenge in front of me. But I’m very confident in my ability and I’m very confident I’ll beat the guy.

“When the cruiserweights step up to the big boys, usually they get found wanting.

“You can beat the average big ones but you can’t beat the elite big ones, because size really matters. We have weight divisions for a reason and he’s going to be found wanting when he fights me on May 18.

“This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation. Fact.”

Fury, who called himself an “encyclopaedia on boxing”, referred to a number of examples of cruiserweights stepping up, including Evander Holyfield, who lost an undisputed heavyweight clash with Lennox Lewis in 1999.

This contest had originally been scheduled for February 17, but was postponed 15 days prior to that after Fury suffered a cut above his right eye in sparring.

Since beating Chisora, Usyk has recorded unanimous and split decision victories against Anthony Joshua and a ninth-round knockout against Daniel Dubois.

KING-SIZE: WBC champion Tyson Fury in confident mood as Usyk steps up for fight.