Usyk and Fury engage in spiky stare-off before Riyadh heavyweight showdown

Ukrainian champion defends titles on Saturday night
‘Do not be afraid,’ Usyk tells Fury. ‘I won’t leave you alone’

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury gazed at each other with menacing intensity for nearly a dozen unbroken minutes as Thursday’s evening press conference in Riyadh culminated in a face-off that tested the nerve and audacity of both men. It was an eye-watering ordeal for the fighters, who meet in the ring again on Saturday night as Usyk defends his three world heavyweight titles in a rematch of their thrilling fight in May which the Ukrainian won on a split decision.

After seven minutes of unblinking silence, an initial attempt was made to separate Fury and Usyk. They remained locked in their increasingly bizarre glowering competition for another couple of minutes when they began to exchange verbal barbs. Amid the increasing bedlam it seemed as if Fury was doing all the shouting and, strikingly, he began sweating copiously beneath his black trilby. They were finally persuaded to break apart by some hefty security personnel.

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