Tyson Fury’s father will be absent from his corner during the highly anticipated fight against Oleksandr Usyk next Saturday evening.

Despite previous reactions to in-ring advice, including from his own siblings, following Fury’s loss to Usyk in May, Fury Sr has remained still on the upcoming fight and has not been seen in Saudi Arabia, where the event is taking place.

SugarHill head coach Steward confirmed that only he, Andy Lee and Cutman would support Fury from the corner. “Tyson Fury is just ready now, with me. He was always acting silly and having fun, but this is a different side of him. He’s 100 percent ready,” Steward said.

When asked about the team’s strategy, Steward said: “It’s just the way we usually train, Emmanuel Steward taught me. It’s always about hurting someone, pain and knockouts. It was written on the walls of the Kronk gym. The harder you work, the greater the rewards. Everything that is boxing is what he will bring on Saturday and that is what his mind is set on.

Meanwhile, Fury himself gave a terse post-training interview on Wednesday night, uttering just 17 words that summed up his intentions: “A lot of pain. Crashed and injured,” then “A lot of pain,” followed by “It hurts.” and ending with: “Solemn injuries. “Gigantic damage.”

During training, Usyk seemed unfazed by Fury’s terse remarks, replying with an ironic, “OK.” After outmaneuvering Fury in May, Usyk is tipped to win Saturday’s rematch.

Fury had the advantage in the first rounds, but Usyk changed the active from the eighth round. Despite almost being knocked out in the ninth kick, Fury vowed to end the rematch quickly, announcing on DAZN: “Just for the record, I will absolutely annihilate this motherfucker on Saturday night. No retirement, I will pristine them all and he will be the first on Rabbit’s face” – he positively assessed their first fight: “I was very pleased with the performance (I didn’t get such a result in the first fight). I wanted to, but overall I was joyful with what I did. It was no different than what I thought would make him easier to hit.

After the rematch, Fury is targeting a trilogy with Usyk, as well as Anthony Joshua or possibly Dubois given he holds the IBF title. Discussing his struggles with retirement, Fury confessed: “I tried to leave many times, but to no avail,” also stating: “I meant it when I retired following Dillian Whyte’s departure in 2022. I truly meant it with all my heart. “I could put my hands on the Bible and honestly say it. But it was very demanding for me to let go of it, so I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let it go. What brings me back to the ring? Victory, belts and we move on. This is what I do.”

Mike Tyson has been accused of “selling his pride” to fight Jake Paul as the fallout from their farcical Texas fight continues. Last month, the pair went head-to-head in eight rounds at AT&T Stadium in what was considered a professional competition, with the fight broadcast on Netflix to more than 65 million viewers worldwide.

But not only did the event mark a renaissance for the 58-year-old, once widely dubbed “the baddest man on the planet”, but Tyson’s age was evident as he turned in a toothless display, landing just 21 punches and seemingly struggling to make the final bell.

He was reportedly still paid around £15.5 million for his efforts, equating to almost £1 million per minute, with YouTuber Paul claiming to have earned almost double that amount.

Since then, most of the criticism has been directed at the “Problem Child”, widely accused of re-electing a delicate opponent and tarnishing boxing’s credibility. But now Anthony Crolla has said it is Tyson, who has not fought at a professional level since being defeated by Irish journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005, who should accept the criticism.

“I think the whole thing was risky,” said the former WBA lightweight champion. “But unpopular opinion here: Jake Paul is Jake Paul. An amazing businessman, which he proved by putting on a show. Mike Tyson needs to take responsibility for this.”

Speaking on behalf of Crolla admitted that the money involved would tempt any retired boxer, including himself, to return to the ring. However, he also argued that financial motivation did not exempt the former heavyweight world champion from criticism.

“Everyone says different things about Jake Paul, but Tyson decided to take part in this for an unbelievable payday. It was an uncomfortable watch,” Crolla continued. “He must accept the criticism surrounding his decision.”

Crolla also admitted that he had difficulty accepting the notion that internet stars were becoming more influential in boxing. But while he understands the skepticism surrounding fighters like 27-year-old Paul, he also targeted Carl Froch and Andre Ward, who engaged in verbal arguments online with the American and even challenged him to fights.

“Because of Jake Paul, he has a lot of pros and ex-pros calling him out,” Crolla added. “When they do it, they just feed it. The pros really don’t like him, but people keep talking about him and that’s what he wants.

Crolla is now heavily involved in boxing as a trainer, with two of his latest protégés, Welsh boxing twins Ioan and Goran Croft, scoring victories on their professional debut in Ireland this month. However, at the age of 38, he insists he will not follow “Iron Mike” back to the professional stage, with only the prospect of a lucrative exhibition fight likely to make him consider a return to the ring.

“I don’t miss boxing because I’m still around it, whether it’s with the fighters or dealing with the pundits, I’m around it more than ever,” he said. “Listen, I miss leaving the crowded area and people singing my name, but no, there will never be a chance to come back. If I was offered a lot of money to fight a YouTuber, I’d probably consider it… but professionally, I’m not interested.”

Tyson Fury is bound by a trilogy contract with Oleksandr Usyk if he triumphs in the upcoming rematch.

The long-awaited sequel is scheduled for Saturday evening, with Usyk looking to extend his 2-0 lead over Fury and repeat his split decision victory in Riyad last May – the only blemish on Fury’s professional record.

Usyk, looking at a possible return to cruiserweight, may decide that his plans will be thwarted by defeat and he will be forced to extend his tenure in the heavyweight division until the third fight with Fury. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, confirmed contractual obligations, stating to Boxing News: “Oh, it’s because he’s contracted. And whatever happens, that’s what happens if Tyson wins… as long as no one retires.”

This news seriously undermines the hopes of Anthony Joshua, who recently pulled out of his rematch with Daniel Dubois on February 22, citing health problems and his desire to face Fury after this weekend’s fight. Despite a knockout defeat to Dubois last September, ‘AJ’ harbors aspirations for an all-British fight with Fury.

Fury, known as the “Gypsy King”, has made it clear that he is more interested in a clash with Usyk than Joshua, especially if he triumphs next Saturday. Tyson revealed: “When I win on Saturday night, I think there will definitely be a trilogy next year,” during an interview with Al Arabiya.

“Joshua is in tatters right now. He needs to recover from his last fight. But a fight with Usyk – one on Saturday and one after – would be fantastic for me.”

With the focus firmly on Usyk, Fury candidly shared his strategy for the anticipated rematch, discussing the Undisputed boxing game, asserting: “I had to get Wilder out of there or he got me out of there, and that’s the kind of fight it had to be. It had to be a 50/50 gunslinger with the biggest punch ever, otherwise he would have punched me in the chin in round nine. Going to the rematch with Usyk. it will be the same. I’m going to roll the dice and either you or me… I’ll best step forward and jump away. I was never afraid of getting knocked out. I always threw every time he’s on the line.”

Fury also exposed his all-or-nothing approach, saying: “There is no secret! I’m going there to knock you out because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do. I don’t think I’ll get a boxing decision, so I’ll have to take it into the judges’ hands like I did back then in America and I’ve got to get him (Usyk) out of there. Hand on heart, I’ve got to get him out of there and see the victory.”