Controversy Erupts as Tyson Fury Sparks Debate Over Oleksandr Usyk’s Team’s Accusation of ‘Serious Regulations Violation’ Involving His Beard
TYSON FURY finds himself embroiled in a significant world-title rematch controversy — all due to his BEARD!
Champion Oleksandr Usyk has accused Fury of “grossly violating” strict rules regarding the permissible length of facial hair and has urged him to grab a razor.
5
5
Fury successfully argued against allowing the Ukrainian to bring a “lucky” crucifix into his corner during Saturday night’s £180million heavyweight Saudi showdown.
Britain’s Gypsy King, weighing in at an impressive 20st 1lb — FOUR STONE heavier than his rival — is showcasing a full, bushy beard after opting not to shave for 12 weeks.
Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, expressed his outrage: “The beard rule is being grossly violated.”
“The WBC regulations explicitly state, ‘A boxer may maintain a trimmed beard as long as the hair thickness does not cushion or alter the impact or trajectory of punches or cause cuts or abrasions to his opponent’.
READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2
“Hence, Tyson’s beard must be trimmed. We are prepared to take this matter further.”
Fury’s matchmaker, Frank Warren, stood firm.
The Queensberry Promotions chief maintained: “He has a beard, and many fighters through history have competed with beards, and that settles it.”
When SunSport reached out to the British Boxing Board of Control, responsible for overseeing the Middle East events for the WBC, WBA, and WBO, they indicated that Fury MUST trim his beard if Usyk brings it up at today’s rules meeting.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Fury vs Usyk 2 – top stories
READ MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh.
All the info:
News, features, and interviews:
However, WBC head Mauricio Sulaiman stated: “The matter was discussed, and the final decision rests with the local commission.
“We do not believe Fury is gaining any advantage. We do not expect a problem.”
‘Ice cold’ Tyson Fury promises ‘pain’ for Oleksandr Usyk – but the Ukrainian is winning ‘mind games’
Fury, 36, had won a previous dispute when undefeated Usyk, 37, was banned from bringing his cherished monk’s crucifix into his corner.
He had kissed it for good luck during his split-decision victory in the initial Riyadh matchup last May.
Warren claimed: “If anything other than water reaches the fighter’s lips, the inspector will intervene.
“If anything seems out of line, it will be rectified.”
SunSport understands that Usyk’s team accepted the prohibition on the cross but remains adamant about the beard issue.
5
Fury registered a career-high weigh-in — an astonishing 19lbs more than in their first bout, while Usyk tipped the scales at 16st 2lbs, just three pounds heavier than last time.
The conflict regarding the judges remained, following Miami’s Fernando Barbosa withdrawing due to illness.
The parties were at a standstill over whether American Steve Weisfeld or Panama’s Ignacio Robles — who appeared as last-minute backup — would join Patrick Morley (US) and Puerto Rican Gerardo Martinez.
Warren, who supported Robles, remarked: “I proposed we flip a coin.”
He added: “A battle is set to unfold tomorrow.”
