Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk came face-to-face in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Gypsy King’s fight against Francis Ngannou on Saturday.
Fury and Usyk – arguably the two greatest fighters in boxing right now – signed a contract last month for an undisputed world heavyweight title battle later this year, with the bout to take place in Riyadh on December 23.
It came after much toing-and-froing over the past 12 months, with talks breaking down earlier this year before terms were finally agreed.
The pair have regularly traded various insults in recent times – which included Fury labelling Usyk a ‘sausage’ – before they bumped into each other after walking a red carpet of boxing royalty ahead of a gala dinner on the eve of Fury-Ngannou.
And the pair shared an unexpected embrace, before the Ukrainian lifted up his rival champion.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shared unexpected embrace in Saudi Arabia on Friday night
The rival champions have agreed terms to fight in a blockbuster event on December 23
During the embrace, Usyk then lifted up Fury – who recently labelled the Ukrainian a ‘sausage’
The Gypsy King could be heard joking with Usyk as he said: ‘Come on then. Hug it out. Come on, give me a hug brother,’ before he added: ‘Ah, I needed that,’ afterwards.
Usyk – who will be ringside for tomorrow’s bout – also announced he will be ready to fight Fury here for the undisputed world heavyweight title on December 23
He then laughed at speculation that he would seek a delay so as to undertake a 14-week training camp before the biggest fight of their lives.
He said: ‘Fourteen weeks? Imagine how tired I would be. I’ll be here and ready to go on the 23rd. Then off to enjoy Christmas.’
Speaking to Mail Sport earlier this week, Fury had warned Usyk not to steal the show on Saturday despite his ringside seat.
He had said: ‘I say this, f*** Usyk. It’s not about him. This is the Tyson Fury show. It’s about me and Francis Ngannou.
‘The African King is meeting the Gypsy King and you know, we are throwing it down.
‘So, anything that happens after that, happens after that and anything before that, is not important.’
Fury is set to take on MMA star Francis Ngannou in a crossover bout on Saturday evening