Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s Tense 11-Minute Face-Off

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk engaged in a remarkable 11-minute and 20-second face-off, one of the longest in boxing history ahead of their heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia. The 36-year-old Briton, Fury will challenge Usyk, 37, for the unified heavyweight title on Saturday. During the tense face-off, neither fighter looked away with Fury towering over Usyk. As the stare-down continued, event organizers intervened but both fighters remained locked in their gaze.

Fury taunted Usyk, saying, “The rabbit’s getting it this time. Butchered. Smashed to pieces,” while Usyk calmly responded, “Don’t be afraid.” After a brief exchange, Fury pulled away and moments later, he danced with drummers outside the room. Before the intense face-off, Tyson Fury sporting a bushy beard for added strength emphasized his serious intent for the fight, stating, “There’s going to be a lot of hurt and pain.” He added that he had finished joking having previously joked and talked in their first fight.

Usyk wearing a striking maroon outfit, entered the room as a choir and Ukrainian singer serenaded him. When asked for a final message to Fury, Usyk simply said, “Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone.” The face-off became the standout moment of a relatively uneventful news conference with the fighters’ mental battle stealing the show. Saudi Arabia’s lavish boxing events provided an extravagant backdrop and the face-off alone generated massive attention, underscoring the intense rivalry between two of the world’s best heavyweights.