Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk press conference LIVE: ‘I’m going to do some f***ing damage’, promises Fury, as he faces off with heavyweight champion after axeing dad John from his team

Erm… I was not expecting this.

Oleksandr is not entering the stage in a low-key way like Tyson Fury, he has a whole show going on.

A singer comes down the steps belting out a very snazzy tune before the ever-stylish Usyk follows him.

That is what you call a spectacle.

The famous Michael Buffer has taken the microphone and is now thanking a bunch of people.

After all the suspense, he announces both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury to the stage. He does take his time, though.

Fury comes to the stage first in a really snazzy suit, but he does not have the bubbly mood to match it.

He is looking very focused.

Tyson Fury speaking to GB News:

I need to be more focused this time and not do as much showboating, he said via GB News. ‘That’s how easy it was for me and you can get complacent. I don’t believe the showboating cost me the fight but I need to be more focused this time and not do as much.

I didn’t feel as if I could have knocked him out at any point. I hurt him a few times to the body and with head shots but I didn’t feel I was going to take him out. It was my best performance in the last five years, probably more.

Yep, we are still waiting.

It doesn’t seem like we are any closer to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury talking to the stage, but I am hoping to be proved wrong.

It seems I really low-balled my prediction of 10 minutes, we could be hear a while.

But don’t worry, I will keep you updated as things unfold.

Oleksandr Usyk is a bit like Roz out of Monsters Inc… he is always watching.

The heavyweight champ would simply not stop looking at Tyson Fury the other day when he walked down ‘The Runway’.

I must say, I certainly wouldn’t want him staring at me like that, but Fury is not scared in the slightest.

It’s been a busy day for the fighters, that’s for sure.

This morning, we got to see both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk complete their open workouts, and my word were their vibes different.

Fury was looking mean, there was none of his usual joking around in the ring.

When asked about what will happen tomorrow night after his workout, Fury said three words: ‘Pain. Damage. Serious hurt.’

Meanwhile, Usyk seemed in a very happy mood as he danced around the ring, bringing the vibes.

I mean, it’s been fascinating to see how differently these two are preparing for this fight. It’s the polar opposite to the first time around.

Will it impact the result differently come Saturday night?

It’s Oleksandr Usyk fashion watch time.

The Ukrainian fighter normally provides some sort of swag when he turns up to these press conferences.

I mean, he is certainly a stylish dude.

The other night he turned up in this lovely little purple number and I am once again expecting big things tonight.

All I know is that I could not pull that outfit off.

Some of you may be saying I am dramatic but we are already three minutes past the start time and there is no sign of either fighter yet.

The question is, how long will we have to wait?

My prediction is around another 10 minutes, but I am hoping to be proved wrong.

In the meantime, I am listening to some groovy music as I prepare. Pure vibes.

The main fight undercard:

• Mohammad Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo (super-featherweight)
• Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez (heavyweight)
• Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin (light-heavyweight)
• Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight)
• Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor (featherweight)
• Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen (heavyweight)
• Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean (heavyweight)
• Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis (super-welterweight)
• Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Tyson Fury 2 (WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles)

We are nearly there people!

This is your five-minute warning for the press conference. With this sport, though, you never know I these things will start on time.

I really hope it does today.

Frank Warren, boxing promoter, speaking exclusively to Mail Sport:

His mind just needs to be Usyk. [Fury will be thinking] This is what I’ve got to do. I don’t want to be distracted. I don’t want to know if there’s a problem at home. I don’t know if I’ve got a business problem. All I want to do is focus on this. This is what I want. I need to win this fight.

It’s not about the belts, it’s about beating the guy who got the decision in the last fight in a very, very close fight, a split decision. He needs and feels he’s got to do this to win that.

I’ve got to sacrifice, I’ve got to be in that mood, I’ve got to be in that mindset, I’ve got to focus on this is what it is. And I’m not going to be deviated, no one’s going to distract me. Blinkers on, that’s it. And that’s where he’s at

I doubt you all need a reminder of how the first fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk went, but I am going to remind you anyway.

It’s fair to say, it was one of the most memorable bouts in boxing history.

Fury started the fight in command and it looked like he was having the time of his life, so much so that he started showboating.

But soon enough, he would learn why Usyk had never been beaten professionally.

The Ukrainian clocked Fury with a perfect left hand which nearly sent the big guy down to the canvas.

Somehow, the fight was not stopped. To this day I don’t know why.

But in the end, it didn’t matter, as Usyk would hand Fury the first loss of his career by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.

It was a truly spectacular night, and I’m hoping Saturday will be the same.

Now this is the story of the day so far.

During this fight week, we have seen a very different side to Tyson Fury, whose usual bubbly and humourous demeanour has been toned down majorly.

It’s a stark comparison to the lead-up to his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, which was chaotic, to say the least.

And now we may know the reason why…

Fury has banned his father John from being in the corner when fight night swings around this Saturday.

The carnage may be entertaining for viewers, but Fury seems to want to put all his focus on the fight.

Right then, how are we all feeling?

I’m expecting you all to say excited because that’s exactly how I am feeling. We have a belting few days ahead of us.

This afternoon is just the tip of a very big iceberg, it’s about to get more thrilling with each passing day.

So, here is what is in store:

• Thursday – Final pre-fight press conference
• Friday – Weigh-ins
• Saturday – Fight night

This is not just any old press conference…

We are now just three days away from Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury taking to the ring for their second monumental fight this year.

Seven months on from Usyk’s famous victory, the pair are at it again.

These two normally provide lots of entertainment when they are together on stage, so I am expecting another fun press conference today.

It’s the final time they will be able to exchange words publicly before the fight, so let’s hope they deliver.

So, let’s start with chapter one of three this fight week.