Oleksandr Usyk’s staff have complained concerning the ring canvas forward of Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight title combat, Sky Sports activities Information can reveal.
Staff Usyk have made a grievance with simply two days to go till the conflict in Riyadh.
Sky Sports activities Information has been instructed {that a} member of the staff was sad throughout the open exercise, particularly concerning the seam becoming a member of the canvas sections collectively.
An equivalent canvas shall be used on combat night time, and the priority from Staff Usyk is that it may current a visit hazard throughout the combat.
The canvas is equivalent to the one utilized in latest heavyweight fights in Saudi Arabia and the UK – together with Usyk’s victories over Anthony Joshua in each London and Jeddah.
“I’m really intrigued, I was in that ring last night before anybody got in there and didn’t notice anything,” mentioned British heavyweight Frazer Clarke, who’s on the bottom in Saudi Arabia with Sky Sports activities.
“After all like each boxer, I used to be within the ring and did a little bit of shadow boxing and did not discover something. I am actually intrigued as to what it’s all about.
“Could it be mind games? Possibly, but I doubt it. We’re in neutral territory here, there’s no advantage for Tyson or for Usyk.”
Usyk and Fury face off in Riyadh this Saturday for the suitable to be often known as the primary undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999.
The grievance from Usyk’s facet continues a dramatic week in Saudi Arabia, which started with Tyson’s father John Fury showing to headbutt a member of the Ukrainian’s entourage.
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Frazer Clarke says Oleksandr Usyk’s stare down throughout Tyson Fury’s exercise is a superb indication that he’s solely targeted on the job in hand.
‘Staff Usyk apprehensive by potential journey hazard’
Sky Sports activities Information reporter Ben Ransom in Riyadh…
“I’ve been told Team Usyk have complained, they’re not happy with the canvas on the ring and specifically the joins in the canvas.
“The way in which boxing rings for these large fights are manufactured is the ring is erected after which the canvas you see with all of the sponsor logos on the ground is in six-foot panels and they’re sewn along with a seam that’s a couple of millimetre deep.
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Frazer Clarke says Oleksandr Usyk’s stare down throughout Tyson Fury’s exercise is a superb indication that he’s solely targeted on the job in hand.
“A member of Team Usyk looked at the canvas last night at the open workout, where Usyk seemed fairly happy inside the ring, and it was his thought and his concern it may be a trip hazard on the night.
“In order that they have needed to come down right here and have a look at the equivalent canvas on the precise ring.”
Fury and Usyk are anticipated to make their ring walks from 11pm UK time this Saturday, with protection of build-up from 4pm on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
It is one of many largest sporting occasions in a technology. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday Could 18, reside on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace. Guide the combat now.
