Tyson Fury Snubs Oleksandr Usyk Fight As “Not Really Historical” Despite All Belts Being On The Line

After almost a quarter of a century, the heavyweight class will get its undisputed champion. Come 17 February, WBC champion Tyson Fury will enter the ring against WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBA champ Oleksandr Usyk to unify the titles of the weight class. A historic moment in its truest sense, yet, Fury hesitates to call it so.

Why? He has his reasons to give. But those reasons do not add up to the fact that the Riyadh clash between him and Usyk is indeed history in the making. The last time the heavyweight class got its undisputed champion was in 1999. Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield to claim the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. Years later, the boxing realm awaits the next title holder of such magnitude. But what keeps Fury from identifying the historical significance of his clash? Let’s find out.

Just another Saturday night for Tyson Fury

In a conversation with Sky Sports Boxing, the heavyweight giant denied calling his upcoming fight against Fury historic. He said, “Not really historical, just another fight innit?” For him, it is yet another Saturday night where two men enter the ring against each other. One will go home as the victor, the other a loser. But both will earn their money and entertain their fans. He added, “You know you gotta a lot of belts on the line but just two men having a fight on a Saturday night. And entertaining and getting paid and getting laid. And getting out of there. And there’s nothing more to it.”

Fury’s lack of enthusiasm cannot shroud the significance of this event. Deep down he understands it too. Perhaps that is why, despite multiple roadblocks in the last year, he still came around and inked a deal with the Ukrainian fighter. After ‘Gypsy King’ defeated Derek Chisora last December, he took his fight against Usyk. The latter too was awaiting the fight offer. However, as per reports the fight fell through as Fury was not satisfied with the purse splits. Yet, the two and their teams kept their negotiations afloat. A year later, we have the fight, most anticipated in recent history, on the horizon. That itself is enough for “The Ring of Fire” to contest for history.

Befitting promotions for the ‘not really historical’ fight

Tyson Fury might not acknowledge the historical significance of his upcoming Usyk fight. But certainly, does he get the general hype the fight has garnered so far? And to meet this hype, he has ensured that there is no stone left unturned in promoting the massive Saudi event. His promoter, Frank Warren recently kicked off the promotions for the big event by posting a video from the recent press conference that was held. The London press conference saw all the stakeholders including the fighters in question descend at the venue.

Warren wrote, “The Promotion for the #RingofFire Undisputed has begun! Counting the days down already! @Turki_alalshikh.” The initial press conference matched up to the investment the Saudis are making toward the sport. Apart from the Ring of Fire, they have also stacked a high-profile card for the 23rd of December. The Tyson-Usyk clash was meant to take place on the 23rd. However, the former’s promoter pushed for postponement citing his fighter’s recent clash with novice boxer, Francis Ngannou. 

Also Read: “History In Making”: Fans Hyped Up As Frank Warren Shares Promotional Video For Oleksandr Usyk Vs Tyson Fury Undisputed Fight

With the much-anticipated fight finally getting its date, jitters in the boxing community run amok. For a fight of this magnitude, the community expects a large push in its promotion. Given the Saudis’ support for the fight, that front seems to be covered. But once the fight has taken its course, will Fury maintain his stance of it not being historic? February 17 will answer that question.

Meanwhile, what do you expect out of the Tyson-Usyk clash? Let us know in the comments section below.

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