Featured Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing/Getty
Topics: Boxing, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Saudi Arabia
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Boxing, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Saudi Arabia
Oleksandr Usyk has shocked fans by doing one thing during the open workout ahead of his huge heavyweight match-up against Tyson Fury on Saturday.
Fury is set to finally face Usyk on Saturday in an undisputed heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia.
The fight was originally due to take place on February 17th but Fury was forced to pull out after sustaining a cut above his eye during sparring.
Advert
Earlier in the week more doubts were raised over whether the fight would go ahead after Fury was spotted on crutches at a media day to promote the fight.
There have been plenty of mind games from both parties ahead of the fight, but Usyk shocked fans after changing his style completely during the open workouts on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian adopted an orthodox stance while hitting pads as opposed to his usual southpaw style which is so difficult to deal with.
Advert
This isn't the first time Usyk has pulled this stunt, as he did the same before his victory against Anthony Joshua after the Brit claimed he would 'smoke' the Ukrainian if he wasn't southpaw.
“I need adjustments to deal with a southpaw because to me these lefties are a nightmare. I swear that if Oleksandr wasn't a lefty I would have smoked him. One hundred percent,” Joshua told Daily Mail.
Advert
Fans have taken to social media to react to Usyk's new stance.
One fan posted: "Shades of Dillian Whyte going southpaw against Tyson Fury. The middleweight is rattled, he has lost his style!"
Another was convinced it was simply to get in Fury's head: "Mind games surely, being an awkward southpaw is his best asset."
A third fan commented: "That’s something no one expected if he fights orthodox at any time during the fight!"
Advert
A fourth was convinced it would make no odds: "He can stand how he wants. He’s going to get battered."