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Behind all the fierce rivalries and intense competition, fans often forget even boxers are real people. The same goes for these two heavyweight mammoths of boxing, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The recent announcement from Queensberry Promotions of a bout between these two fighters caught fans by surprise. But it was a resurfaced video that truly captured everyone’s attention, leaving them utterly astonished.

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The boxing world has not seen an undisputed heavyweight champion since the legendary Lennox Lewis took down Evander Holyfield in 1999. However, after this bout, that will change as Usyk and Fury come face to face 48 hours before Christmas this year. Moreover, Fury has consistently showcased his outspoken personality, making every effort to promote his fights. These efforts have gotten him the label of someone who engages in trash talk and likes to belittle his opponents. However, a recent clip of Fury and Usyk being friendly presents the contrasting personalities of the fighters, something the boxing world was not expecting.

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An unexpected friendship between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

In a video shared on Instagram by @michaelbensonboxing, Usyk and Fury are seen greeting, hugging, and casually talking to each other. The accompanying caption read, “Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk were friendly when they first met in person, now they will meet for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO heavyweight world titles.”

When fans got their hands on the video, they quickly took the comment section with their opinions. Some fans showed excitement about the upcoming battle between the two giants, while others highlighted the hypocrisy. Some even went as far as to claim they knew about it all along.

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One user wrote, “There will finally be a HW undisputed champ for the first time since the Lennox Lewis.” According to a report from DAZN, there have been 27 world heavyweight champions since 1992, the last one being Lenex Lewis in 1999.

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Another user wrote, “I’m pretty sure they got a ton of respect for eachother you can tell. They both don’t sound like the type to have true hate for someone like Wilder did for Fury.” The user underscored that both fighters are not the kind of people who hate people outside the ring. However, the user also wrote about Deontay Wilder, who went on a quest to prove Fury cheated during their fight.

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The next user wrote, “Judging by what I’ve seen so far from Usyk in the heavyweight division, he’s a class act but if Fury is actually focused he’ll do a number on him.” This user asserted that, despite Usyk’s boxing prowess, if Fury made an effort, he would defeat Usyk. It’s worth noting that, despite their two-year age gap, Fury has way more fights under his belt. 

Also Read: “Won’t Believe this Fight Is Happening Until…”: Ahead of Francis Ngannou Bout, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Uysk Finally Signing a Deal Leaves Fans Dumbstruck

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Another user wrote, “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m dreaming right now, this is like Christmas. LFG.” This user could not hold his excitement for the fight to unfold as the user described the announcement as a dream.

One user highlighted the hypocrisy in Fury’s behavior. The user wrote, “Then Fury went live in the men’s room and called him ‘an ugly gappy toothed ba****d.’” It’s worth mentioning that fighters often create drama around the fight to attract viewers. 

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Tyson and Usyk’s unexpected friendship adds a unique perspective to a sport known for animosity and rivalries. What do you think about Fury and Usyk’s unexpected friendship? Do you think Fury will make a 180 in the days leading up to the fight?

Watch This Story: Tyson Fury Slams Oleksandr Usyk Amid Low Blow Controversy

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Written by

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Sudeep Sinha

4,781 Articles

Sudeep Sinha is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the storylines around the sport's biggest events and names. He previously spent over two years writing in the Boxing department, where his fight-night coverage was featured on Sports Illustrated, Daily Mail, and Yahoo Sports, including his reporting on Ryan Garcia's career arc. On the golf beat, Sudeep covers tour news, player form, and the season-long storylines that shape the men's and women's game, from majors to the ongoing shifts in how professional golf is structured. That same appetite for detail that made his boxing coverage stand out now shows up in how he breaks down a swing change or a schedule shakeup for hardcore and casual fans alike. Outside work, he splits his time between reading, cycling, and following combat sports.

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Edited by

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Arijit Saha

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