Tyson Fury breaks major boxing rule ahead of biggest fight in career this weekend
Tyson Fury’s facial hair is causing a bit of a commotion prior to his fight against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday 21 December in Saudi Arabia. According to Oleksandr’s camp, Tyson’s shaggy beard needs to be shaved off before their rematch as it “grossly violates” fight rules. Oleksandr 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.’ So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further." The team have lodged their complaint with the Middle East Boxing Commission, which oversees professional bouts in the region.
Tyson, who is known in the ring as The Gypsy King, has been growing his facial hair during his three month training period prior to the match, which is his first against Oleksandr since the Ukranian fighter beat him on points in May. Tyson’s promoter, Frank 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.”
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Tyson, 35, has also recently been reunited with wife Paris after he revealed they had not spoken for three months while he was away training.
Mother of seven Paris took to Instagram on Wednesday 18 December to comment after husband Tyson admitted he hadn’t spoken “one word” to her ahead of his match.
He originally spoke of his training regime to boxing commentator Dev Sahni, revealing: “I'll be flying home for Christmas , plenty of eggnog and mince pies and turkeys and all. I can't wait for Christmas. I wish [the fight] was tonight. It's been a long camp being away from your wife and kids in three months. I've not spoken to Paris three months, not one word.”
Reposting his interview Paris wrote: “People don't see the sacrifices made. I've let him solely concentrate on this fight. It seems like he's been gone forever especially with no contact but if it's what he needs.”
Paris reunited with her husband on Thursday evening, supporting the fighter at his press conference in Riyadh, where he declared: “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.”
