Sometimes silence speaks volumes. Hush can be most powerful scream.
Thursday’s final press conference ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch tonight, live on DAZN, offered just that.
The session ended with the two men engaging in an intense 11-minute faceoff, with Usyk and Fury locked in on each other with laser-like resolve, both refusing to budge.
Those 660 ticks told us everything we need to know about the severity and magnitude of this unified heavyweight world championship sequel and what it means to boxing.
Not only is this bout the Fight of the Year, but coming off the success of Usyk and Fury battling for the first undisputed heavyweight crown of the modern four-belt era in a bout won by Usyk back in May, this rematch should have its place in boxing history as well for the questions that will likely be answered.
I know I have my fair share of inquiries heading into this mega bout.
Prior to the marathon staredown, the final press conference had Fury grimly stating: “I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain. I’m going to put this f—er in a hurt locker, for sure.”
He added: “I got nothing to say. There’s going to be a whole lot of pain and hurt this fight — you watch. That’s all I got to say. Talk has been done. For the first fight, I talked … throughout my whole career. This time I’m serious.
“I’m going to do some damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work on this f—er.”
Will Fury make the adjustments necessary to brutally plow through Usyk in the rematch as his words suggest he will?
In response to Fury’s chilling words, Usyk would only repeat a line that has become notorious to this fight’s buildup: "Don't be afraid, I will not leave you alone. See you Saturday."
Will Usyk once again use his boxing brilliance to prove he has Fury’s number even if the “Gypsy King” ups his aggression and ferocity?
These are a couple of questions that will likely be answered tonight in this epic rematch.
Each man already has his place in boxing history. There’s Usyk, with a rich amateur pedigree of 350 fights and a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. The Ukrainian has remained undefeated through 22 professional bouts, having reigned as the undisputed cruiserweight world champion and undisputed heavyweight world champ, surgically dismantling the likes of Fury, Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua twice, Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew to name a few.
And then, there’s Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs), the “Gypsy King,” who has seemingly lived two lifetimes in the sweet science — the 25-0 mark he punctuated by defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified heavyweight world champion in November 2015 and defeating his demons within a near three-year absence to return and destroy Deontay Wilder on the back end of three fights to become a dominant WBC titleholder.
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Already two generational talents in their own right, this rematch between the unified champion Usyk and the former unified champ Fury should declare the greatest heavyweight of this era and one of the greatest of all time, period.
Here we are on the brink of a historical heavyweight rematch. The silence in the staredown will certainly give way to explosive, high drama in the ring tonight.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV
The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here.
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This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.
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