- Usyk’s camp have given multiple reasons for their discontent over Fury’s beard
- Tyson Fury has been growing the beard during a long, gruelling training camp
Oleksandr Usyk‘s camp have demanded that Tyson Fury shave his beard ahead of their Saturday night showdown, claiming it ‘grossly violates’ the fight’s rules.
Fury is allowed to sport the hairy facial facade, according to his promoter Frank Warren, and has been showing it off this week.
The WBA, WBO, and WBC heavyweight belts are on the line as the pair meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Fury will try to avenge the only defeat of his career from May this year.
Fury has been in an intensive training camp and claimed he hadn’t spoken to his wife Paris for three months, with the couple reuniting on Thursday night.
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk said in a statement: ‘Beard rule is grossly violated.
‘WBC rules clearly say: “A boxer may spouse a trimmed beard and/or moustache as long as, in the discretion of the commission and the supervisor, the facial hair thickness does not: (1) cushion or in any way affect the impact or trajectory of punches; or (2) cause cuts or abrasions to his rival.”
Oleksandr Usyk’s camp have demanded that Tyson Fury trim his beard ahead of their fight
Fury has been growing his beard during a three-month-long training camp nd has been told he is allowed to sport it during the bout
However, Usyk’s camp insist it represents a ‘gross violation’ of the WBC’s regulations
‘So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.’
Fury had been growing his facial hair throughout his training camp and the matter looked to be settled when he was told it was acceptable to keep.
Speaking about his training camp, Tyson told TNT Sports presenter Dev Sahni: ‘It’s been a long camp. Been away from my wife and kids for three months, I’ve not spoken to Paris at all for three months, not one word. Yeah, I’ve sacrificed a lot.’
However, Usyk’s team have lodged their complaint with the Middle East Boxing Commission, which sanctions professional bouts in the region.
Fury’s promoter Warren told Sky Sports: ‘He has a beard and there’s been a lot of fighters over the years who’ve fought with beards, and that’s it.’
And the Gypsy King isn’t letting the furore about his facial fur distract him.
‘I’ve got nothing to say, apart from there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight you watch,’ he insisted.
‘That’s all I got to say. Talking’s been done. You know, the first fight I talked, I joked, through all my career.
‘This time I’m serious. I’m going to do some f***ing damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work on this f*****.’
HOW TO WATCH: Register and watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN here
