Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are about to duke it out at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has unexpectedly stolen the spotlight. As the final press conference wrapped up for their rematch in the country before the fight tonight, a clip from the presser featuring the trio has gone viral, and fans can’t have enough of it. 

So, what happened? Well, the clip showed Fury and Usyk standing side by side during the presser while the Saudi Royal can be seen standing atop a stool of some sort in the middle of both fighters. This unusual move quickly sent fans into a frenzy when they discovered it on social media earlier today. 

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk overshadowed by Alalshikh 

Fight, an Instagram handle, shared the clip in question, with the caption reading, “What was funnier, Usyk & Fury staring into each other’s eyes for 11 minutes or Turki Alalshikh standing on a chair for photos?” It’s worth noting that Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury later got into a staredown, which lasted unusually long, sharing a glimpse into their renewed rivalry.

The pair initially fought back in May, with ‘The Cat’ getting the upper hand following twelve rounds of absolute war. Tyson has since promised vengeance on his Ukrainian opponent, as they prepare for the spectacular night ahead. Regardless, Alalshikh’s comical moment from the final press conference seems to have overshadowed the fight itself.

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Fan claims Turki Alalshikh has an inflated ego

Since the clip went live, a plethora of fans joined the conversation to share their thoughts. One user sarcastically suggested the Saudi Royal is seeking recognition. “Short kings also need recognition,” the user wrote. However, he has been all over the headlines since he stepped foot into the sport, so he might not need much recognition at this point. 

Another user branded the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia a literal “Chair-man.” It’s unusual for the host of the face-off to pull such a move, but he may have done it for the pictures since the fighters involved are much taller than him. 

Someone else suggested Alalshikh did it to match Fury and Usyk’s height. “He thinks is the same size,” the user wrote. It’s currently unclear what prompted the Saudi advisor to pull off the move. 

The next user joked about the enormous wealth Alalshikh has piled up. “He’s actually standing on his wallet,” the user commented. According to a September 2024 report from BBC, the Saudis have spent £5 billion on the sport. So, he might just have a chair-sized wallet. 

One user felt this was Alalshikh’s way of inflating his ego. “He wants to inflate his ego. This is about him,” the user wrote. However, it’s more likely that he just wanted to be a part of the face-off. 

That being said, it appears His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has become the talk of the town with his surprising decision to stand on a chair/stool to match Fury and Usyk’s height. What did you think about the clip?