Wednesday, May 15 

 

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – two of the world’s most mentally strong and confident fighters – have long appeared to accept that they are unlikely to get under each other’s skin.

 

It therefore represented somewhat of a surprise at Wednesday evening’s open workouts in Riyadh that the southpaw Usyk did his pad-work in an orthodox stance and that Fury, immediately afterwards, did his as a southpaw. 

 

There ultimately seems minimal chance that Usyk will box with an orthodox stance on Saturday evening – his former trainer James Ali Bashir explained to BoxingScene earlier in fight week of the threat he’s capable of posing from his southpaw stance, particularly having previously seen the southpaw Otto Wallin severely cut Fury – and while Fury has succeeded in both stances, it’s far from unthinkable that he only worked out as a southpaw because he had seen the workout Usyk conducted first.

 

“I can’t believe Usyk is actually gonna come out and box orthodox,” said Matthew Macklin, the retired world middleweight title challenger in Riyadh in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, to BoxingScene as Fury’s workout was unfolding. “Fury might come out as a southpaw for a bit, but I’d be shocked if Usyk comes out orthodox.

 

“They just went through the motions. They weren’t gonna show anything off. It’s promotional obligations. They came out; broke a sweat. That was about it.

 

“They’re both in top shape. They’re both ready.”

 

To see Fury in the flesh is to again be reminded of how unusually fluid and agile he is for a fighter with his vast dimensions. Usyk, regardless, apparently didn’t need that reminder. After being interviewed while Fury was in the ring, instead of staying to watch he walked the long way round – and therefore took the path in front of the rows of observers present – to leave.

 

His respected cutsman and cornerman Russ Anber stayed to watch Fury from start to finish, and Anber insisted – and clearly believed what he was saying – that Fury’s lighter physique could represent a risk. “I think he’s convinced himself he’s gotta go against a really fast guy – a middleweight, as he calls him, and Usyk does fight like a middleweight – and doesn’t want to carry around that excess,” he told BoxingScene. 

 

“You have to wonder how much that size meant to him in being able to absorb punishment; in being able to take a punch; in being able to pick himself back up, because he was able to withstand that – the sheer mass of him.

 

“Now he’s done to the same size as Usyk, who’s meeting a man with a resistance that’s more his own weight. That’s a big difference. Punch an 80lb bag compared to a 200lb bag and there’s a big difference.

 

“[But Fury] has to use his skills; use his size, because that’s what got him where he is. I think he’s going to play into his own strengths. I think he’ll do everything of the sort [forcing a messy fight] – especially if it’s not going well for him, and that’s the one thing that’s gonna worry me. I don’t want this fight, of such a magnitude, to generate something like that. May the best man win and do it clean and fair and not have to resort to foul tactics.”

 

Anber had been in Perth, Australia, to work the corner of Usyk’s fellow Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko over George Kambosos at the weekend. “[Usyk’s] probably not on as much of a high as he wants to be on [having seen Lomachenko win], because he’s got his own fight coming up, but sure he’s happy for him, and I’m sure it’s a source of inspiration for him.” 

 

On Monday, Usyk had been asked about Lomachenko’s victory, and he responded: “Yes, I spoke to him and congratulated him. I am very happy that Vasiliy got the belt.”

 

For the record, after he concluded his workout, Usyk said: “I feel good. Each event that takes place will always have a new experience; each new experience; each new day; each new experience for the country, for the team, is always a wonderful great new experience.

 

“I don’t have last [words for Fury]. I save that for Saturday. Thank you.”

 

Fury said: “I’m on top of the world, baby! Who wouldn’t be enjoying it? Main event; undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Come on! 

 

“Keep tuned. Keep your eyes peeled. We’ve got some big stuff coming over the next couple of days. I always have a crazy little ring walk, and you wouldn’t expect anything different for the biggest fight of me life, would you? I don’t think it’s ever been done before, so it’s definitely going to be a big surprise.

 

“Me and Oleksandr are going to put on a fantastic show for the world to watch. Usyk! Usyk! Usyk!”

 

Fury’s father John was also present, and had a mark on his forehead to serve as a reminder of him disgracing himself on Monday. 

 

A cynic might be tempted to point out the poetic justice potentially involved in that mark remaining there until the weekend, to serve as a permanent reminder in every photo that may be taken, post-fight, in the event of his son recording his finest win.