Tyson Fury is “having fun” as the “Fight of the Century” against Usyk approaches

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Tyson Fury danced and sang along to some of his favorite songs during a light workout on Wednesday night, three days after his undisputed heavyweight championship showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

Englishman Fury, 35, wrapped his hands to the tune of AC/DC’s anthem “You Shook Me All Night Long.” He slid around the ring with trainer Sugar Hill Steward and pumped his right fist to the beat of The Killer’s “Mr. Brightside.”

“I’m having fun. I always do, don’t I?” “I’m so excited,” Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) told ESPN after his 15-minute workout at the Boulevard City Outdoor Recreation Center. “All these weeks of fighting I enjoy.”

But Saturday’s fight is a little more special. The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion since November 1999, when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in a rematch.

Lewis, who will be ringside on Saturday, and Holyfield, are two of the all-time greats, as are Fury and Usyk. It is rare for any heavyweight to be recognized as one of the best in the world. Usyk is No. 3 on ESPN’s list, and Fury is No. 10.

“It’s the fight of the century,” said Fury, who suffered a sparring interruption that led to this bout being postponed from its original date on February 17. “(An undisputed heavyweight championship fight) has never happened before this century, and we’re looking forward to putting on a great show.”

Fury’s resume features a classic trilogy with Deontay Wilder that includes two wins and one draw, with the final bout named ESPN’s Fight of the Year and KO of the Year in 2021. Fury has been the heavyweight boxing champion since he beat Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

Now, Fury will meet another Ukrainian in Usyk, who like Holyfield, is a former undisputed cruiserweight champion who won the unified heavyweight championship. Usyk, 37, did just that by defeating Anthony Joshua in two bouts, scuppering plans for a Fury-Joshua bout that would have been the biggest fight in UK history.

Fury is still hoping to meet Joshua next year but will first look to his contracted rematch with Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) later this year. The rematch is scheduled for October 12 or 13, Turki Al Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, told ESPN last month. After that, if Fury wins at least one of the two bouts, there are plans for a bout with Joshua. Next year.

Joshua, a former unified champion, scored a second-round knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March. Fury was beaten by Ngannou in October in a shocking performance, as he struggled to win a split decision against a man making his professional boxing debut.

Fury had looked out of shape in that non-title bout, but on Wednesday, he looked much fitter, pumping out a powerful jab while bouncing on his toes.

“I’m always focused, ready to fight, that’s why I’ve been undefeated in 16 years,” Fury said.

But he’s never faced a fighter quite like Usyk, a fighter with a great southpaw, excellent footwork and ring acumen to match Fury. Usyk can give up up to 40 pounds on fight night. However, he has proven in four heavyweight bouts that he can overcome his lack of size with superior boxing ability.

Fury is a slight favorite at -120, according to ESPN BET, while Usyk is at odds. If Fury can end Usyk’s unbeaten run and capture his three titles as well, he should cement himself as the best heavyweight of his era.

“I’m not really interested in all that,” Fury said as he exited the ring. “(It will) make me a very heavy and rich person who can feed his family and give them what they want for breakfast, dinner and tea.”