Oleksandr Usyk breaks silence on Tyson Fury ahead of huge heavyweight fight

Oleksandr Usyk has sent a clear message to Tyson Fury amid the Gypsy King's change in attitude toward the heavyweight champion ahead of this week's highly-anticipated bout.

Fury and Usyk will put their belts and unbeaten records on the line on Saturday looking to follow in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis in winning all the major belts in the division.

Fury brings the WBC belt to Riyadh while Usyk carries the WBA, WBO and IBF titles. This week, preparation has started with the media day done and the press conference taking place later this week.

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The fight is set to attract millions this weekend after the fight was originally hyped up for the initial date in February. Previously, Fury had vigorously mocked his opponent but has recently credited the Ukrainian for his boxing career.

"Oleksandr Usyk's a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you'd be a mug," he confessed in an interview with Queensberry Promotions. "So I'm training hard for him, I'm doing everything I can. I respect Usyk as a man. I respect his career as well - Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, unified heavyweight champion."

Speaking to The Stomping Ground in the event's media day, Usyk insisted he hasn't taken any notice of Fury's words. "One week Tyson says 'rabbit', 'he's heavy', blah blah blah and then next week [he says] 'good boxer' and a lot of good words for me.

"I don't think about it. My focus is on the fight."

Asked about his prediction for the fight, he said: "I don't have a prediction because I'm not an expert. Beautiful