Oleksandr Usyk’s team is demanding that Tyson Fury shave his beard ahead of Saturday’s fight.
Fury’s facial hair, which he grew over the course of his training camp, has been on full display over the course of the week as the fight draws near.
In fact, Fury went so far as to reveal he didn’t speak to his wife for three months before reuniting on Thursday, as he looks to avenge the only defeat of his career from May of this year.
However, with the WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight belts on the line, there is some controversy ahead of the big fight as Usyk’s camp believe that Fury’s beard “grossly violates” the fight’s rules.
“Beard rule is grossly violated,” said Alex Krassyruk, Usyk’s promoter, in a statement.
“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.’
“So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
Fury believes the matter has been settled
Fury previously stated that he believed the matter had been settled when he was told he was allowed to keep the beard.
“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,” Fury told TNT Sports.
It remains to be seen what happens next with little time left until the right, though Usyk’s came have filed a complaint with the Middle East Boxing Commission, which sanctions professional rights in the region.
“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,” said Fury.
“That’s all I got to say. Talking’s been done. You know, the first fight I talked, I joked, through all my career.
‘”his 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*****.”
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