Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk formally “arrived” in Riyadh this evening and they talked up their chances ahead of their undisputed heavyweight title clash in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Lineal champion Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC title, kept it short when he said: “It feels absolutely fantastic to be in the great kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024. I’m feeling fantastic, can’t wait to put a good show on, all the big stars are here. I can’t wait for Saturday night.”

Then, looking at Usyk watching his interview, Fury shouted at the Ukrainian: “I’m very nervous Usyk, please don’t beat me up on Saturday night!”

Asked whether he was more apprehensive ahead of this fight, arguably the most important of his career, Fury added; “If I was fighting an old dosser on Saturday who’d fought five fights and lost them all, it’s very important to me. Every fight I’ve ever had is important to me. Every little fight I had along the way, any six-rounders, eight-rounders, 10-rounders any one of them, they were all very important. Every left or right turn I’ve taken in my life, every time I’ve fell over, every time I’ve climbed up was all leading to this moment. It’s destiny…. Oleksandr Usyk is a great fighter, but unfortunately for him he has to come against the great Tyson Fury, in the era of me.” 

Fury’s advisor, Spencer Brown, said Fury was excited and ready to go. “It’s everything we wanted. We’re here now. He’s in unbelievable form, great shape. He’s a happy man and a happy fighter is a good fighter.”

Usyk, conversely, said he felt “magnificent.”  

“After this event [grand arrivals], I will go to sleep. Listen, I am very happy to be here. Saturday it’s a special day because I am going to win. I will have the opportunity to become undisputed. It is very good for me, very important for my country.”

Usyk’s manager Alex Krassyuk said he was finding Saudi Arabia hot but added: “Emotion is in the air, the energy is in the air, we are in front of making history. This is, for the first time ever, four belts on the line [in the heavyweight division], Oleksandr Usyk, the former cruiserweight and current unified heavyweight champion is fighting Tyson Fury, the WBC champion. And he’s defeating him. What can be better?”

When Usyk was asked about his strategy, the Ukrainian said: “I have plans. It’s a great plan. It’s a secret.”

Did he have a message for his supporters?

“My fans in Ukraine and all my fans, I really appreciate the support from my fans and Ukrainian soldiers. I love my fans. Thank you so much.”

Promoter Frank Warren called the fight “historical” and said it was a “boxing dream.”