Oleksandr Usyk files complaint over ‘ring canvas’ for Tyson Fury fight in same fashion as rival for Wladimir Klitschko win
Oleksandr Usyk has taken issue with the ring canvas ahead of his clash with Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian champion is set to finally embark on his quest to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when he takes on Fury on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
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It is a fight that will take place on the same canvas that brought Usyk success in the past, when he edged past Anthony Joshua in the Middle East in September 2021.
But the unified champion is unhappy with the ring mat and has lodged a complaint to officials according to Sky Sports News.
It is reported that the undefeated star is unhappy with the seams that hold the ring together, and has demanded that action be taken.
On the night of Usyk's rematch win over Joshua, Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang were seen slipping on the mat while in dialogue with the referee.
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It remains to be seen exactly what action could be taken, but it will likely be investigated by officials in Riyadh.
Usyk trained on the canvas at yesterday's open workouts, where he boxed comfortably with a surprising use of the orthodox stance.
Fury himself has previously lodged a pre-fight enquiry in the past over a ring canvas, when he questioned why the mat was 'too soft' before his win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
The fight went ahead and the 'Gypsy King' delivered a masterclass on the night, which etched his name in boxing history forever.
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What Is An Undisputed World Champion?
In boxing, an undisputed world champion is someone who wins all of the four major world title belts in their division - WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
Fury currently has the WBC while Usyk holds the WBA, IBF and WBO. Therefore, the winner will hold all four belts as undisputed king.
The last man to hold all the belts in the division was Lennox Lewis when he beat Evander Holyfield to add his WBA and IBF titles to the WBC belt before what is now known as the 'four-belt era' with the WBO being recognised from 2004.
Usyk will be hoping that he won't follow the same fate as his fellow countryman, as he looks to dethrone the WBC champion in spectacular fashion.
He looks in great shape and has a larger physique, which will see him try to bridge the size gap to his naturally bigger rival.
Oleksandr Usyk completes stunning heavyweight body transformation for Tyson Fury fight
And former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie believes he will cause Fury huge problems and win the fight.
"Usyk wins, I hate to pour cold water on anyone's parade but for me, Usyk wins because he's a much more complete all-round fighter," he told talkSPORT Fight Night on Saturday.
"I don't think Fury has boxed anyone like him and Usyk will be so up for this fight and a good Oleksandr Usyk probably hold his own with just about any heavyweight that's ever lived...
"His ring IQ, he's very intellectual, very sensible, he punches perfectly, he times himself perfectly, he can nullify the bigger guys' size.
"Over 12 rounds, Oleksandr Usyk will be too much for Tyson Fury in terms of work rate.
"That's what I think he will do against Fury, he can nullify his size and take that size difference away from him by getting on the inside, staying in the pocket, working him over and probably wearing him down - that's how I see that fight.
"Fury's work rate isn't great at the best of times, he fiddles, he messes around, he feints, he twitches."
The two fighters challenging for undisputed glory met in a final press conference, but refused to break their business-like facades.
Fury refused a direct gaze into his rival's eyes during their face-off, in a much more tranquil approach to the final stages of preparation.
He later explained why he refrained from taking part in the staredown: ""He's a scary looking dude.
"I'm here to relax now and wait until Saturday night. All the talking is done."
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