TYSON FURY is caught up in a major world-title rematch scandal — all because of his BEARD!
Champion Oleksandr Usyk has claimed Fury is “grossly violating” stringent rules concerning the allowed length of facial hair and has suggested he should pick up a razor.
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The controversy erupted after Fury successfully argued against allowing the Ukrainian to bring a “lucky” crucifix into his corner during the £180million heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Britain’s Gypsy King, tipping the scales at an impressive 20st 1lb — FOUR STONE heavier than his competitor — is flaunting a voluminous beard after not shaving for 12 weeks.
Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, expressed his indignation: “The beard rule is being grossly violated.”
“The WBC rules clearly state, ‘A boxer may maintain a trimmed beard as long as the thickness of the hair does not cushion or change the impact or trajectory of punches or cause cuts or bruises to his opponent’.
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“Thus, Tyson’s beard must be trimmed. We are ready to escalate this issue.”
Fury’s matchmaker, Frank Warren, stood resolute.
The head of Queensberry Promotions asserted: “He has a beard, and many fighters throughout history have fought with beards, and that’s the end of it.”
When SunSport contacted the British Boxing Board of Control, which oversees the Middle Eastern events for the WBC, WBA, and WBO, they indicated that Fury MUST trim his beard if Usyk raises it during today’s rules meeting.
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However, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman stated: “The issue was discussed, and the final decision remains with the local commission.
“We do not think Fury is gaining any advantage. We do not foresee any issues.”
‘Ice cold’ Tyson Fury vows ‘pain’ for Oleksandr Usyk – yet the Ukrainian is gaining the upper hand in ‘mind games’
Fury, 36, had previously won a dispute when undefeated Usyk, 37, was prohibited from bringing his beloved monk’s crucifix into his corner.
He had kissed the cross for good luck during his split-decision victory in the first Riyadh bout last May.
Warren commented: “If anything other than water is given to the fighter, the inspector will step in.
“If anything appears out of place, it will be corrected.”
SunSport understands that Usyk’s team accepted the ban on the cross but remains firm on the beard issue.
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Fury recorded a career-high weigh-in — a stunning 19lbs heavier than in their previous meeting, while Usyk weighed in at 16st 2lbs, just three pounds more than last time.
Disagreements pertaining to the judges persisted, with Miami’s Fernando Barbosa withdrawing due to illness.
The factions remained divided over whether American Steve Weisfeld or Panama’s Ignacio Robles — who appeared as a last-minute replacement — would join Patrick Morley (US) and Puerto Rican Gerardo Martinez.
Warren, who backed Robles, suggested: “I put forth a coin flip.”
He added: “A battle is set to commence tomorrow.”
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