- Fury to go toe-to-toe with Usyk in their heavyweight rematch on Saturday
- Usyk’s camp has given multiple reasons for their displeasure over Fury’s beard
- Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: Follow live round-by-round updates
Tyson Fury will not have to cut his beard, despite calls for him to do so, ahead of his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
The WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight belts are on the line when the two meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Fury will try to avenge the only loss of his career.
However, in the run-up to Saturday’s superfight, Usyk’s camp demanded that Fury shave his beard, claiming it “seriously violates” the fight rules.
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk said in a statement: “The beard rule is seriously violated.”
‘The WBC rules clearly state: “A boxer may wear a trimmed beard and/or mustache provided that, at the discretion of the commission and the supervisor, the thickness of the facial hair does not: (1) cushion or in any way affect the impact or trajectory of blows or (2) cause cuts or abrasions to his opponent.” So, Tyson’s beard needs to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
However, despite calls from Usyk’s camp, a final decision has been made and it rules that Fury will be able to keep his beard for the fight.
It has been confirmed that Tyson Fury will not have to shave his beard for the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk and Fury will meet again inside the ring in a crucial rematch on Saturday night.
Speaking to ESPN, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown said: “Tyson Fury has boxed with a beard on many occasions as have other fighters, most recently Beterbiev. Usyk himself has come out publicly and said that Tyson with a beard is not a problem.
‘There is no law or rule in boxing that says you can’t fight with a beard. It’s ridiculous that this has already been brought up in a rules meeting to no avail. Simply put, if Usyk had a beard, we wouldn’t have a problem. “This is not a fashion show, it’s boxing.”
While Fury will not be forced to shave his beard for the fight, there has been a late change to what is allowed that night and it concerns Usyk’s jewellery.
On Saturday it was confirmed that the Ukrainian will not be allowed to have his religious cross with him during the fight.
When Fury and Usyk first fought, the heavyweight was seen kissing the cross between rounds as a form of motivation.
Meanwhile, Fury had been growing facial hair throughout training camp and the matter seemed to be resolved when he was told it was acceptable to stay.
Speaking about his training camp, Fury told TNT Sports host Dev Sahni: “It’s been a long camp. I’ve been away from my wife and kids for three months, I haven’t spoken to Paris in three months, not one word. Yes, I have sacrificed a lot.
However, Usyk’s team still filed its complaint with the Middle East Boxing Commission, which sanctions professional fights in the region.
Usyk’s team had complained that the beard could offer the Brit some form of protection.
Meanwhile, Usyk has been banned from participating in his mid-fight ritual against Fury.
Fury’s promoter Warren told Sky Sports: “He has a beard and there have been a lot of fighters over the years who have fought with a beard, and that’s it.”
And the Gypsy King doesn’t let the furor over his facial fur distract him.
“I have nothing to say other than there’s going to be a lot of pain and hurt in this fight you’re watching,” he insisted earlier in the week.
‘That’s all I have to say. It has been spoken. You know, in the first fight I talked, I joked, throughout my entire career. This time I’m serious. I’m going to cause some damn damage here on Saturday night. Watch me work on this damn thing.’
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