Fury to fight Alexander Ustinov on Saturday
Tyson Fury (22-0, 16 KOs) will fight Alexander Ustinov (29-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester.
Fury was left disappointed and without an opponent following the late cancellation of his world title eliminator with Dereck Chisora, who withdrew from the bout yesterday after fracturing his left hand in training - now fights Chisora's sparring partner when the injury occurred - the 6ft 7in Ustinov.
The big-hitting Belarusian has beaten Michael Sprott, David Tua, Monte Barrett and Paolo Vidoz during his pro career and represents a significant challenge for Fury, whose preparations were for a fighter who stands several inches shorter. Ustinov's sole defeat coming against Kubrat Pulev, who challenges Wladimir Klitschko in September.
Fury said, “The first thing is I’m happy to still be fighting this Saturday and that the fans will get what they paid for and see a good fight. We’ve had a hard training camp and I’m in the shape of my life, expecting to knockout Chisora, but now I’m going to have take it out on Ustinov and make sure he takes the full force of my anger. Chisora will now see what he was going to get on the night – knocked out. Strangely, I’m going to break the man who broke Chisora’s hand. Full credit for Ustinov for taking the fight, he’s a big lad, more importantly he’s a credible world ranked opponent and he must fancy his chances. We’re two gladiators, but he’s going to feel what it like against a world class heavyweight like me.”
Promoter Frank Warren added, “Under the circumstances, Ustinov is a brilliant replacement for Chisora at this late stage. He’s fit and ready after training and sparring for two weeks with Chisora at his gym, he’s got a great record, like Fury he’s a giant of a man and has got some serious knockout punch power. Ustinov is world ranked inside the top ten of two major governing bodies and didn’t hesitate about fighting Fury which shows his confidence. Fury’s been preparing for a shorter man in Chisora and he’ll have to adjust his preparations, but with two huge men in the ring throwing big punches, anything can happen.”