Tyson Fury baffled by Oleksandr Usyk's message just days before heavyweight fight

Tyson Fury was left scratching his head after receiving a cryptic message from Oleksandr Usyk just days before their highly anticipated bout. The two heavyweights are set to face off in Saudi Arabia next Saturday, vying for the title of undisputed heavyweight world champion - a title that hasn't been claimed since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

The fight, originally scheduled for last April at Wembley, has been postponed multiple times but is finally set to take place in just over a week. Ahead of the clash, Usyk sent a puzzling message to Fury, saying: "Hey, my friend. Don't be afraid, I will not leave you alone," during a documentary about the upcoming fight.

A bemused Fury responded: "What does that even mean? Don't be afraid I won't leave you alone? ".

Despite the confusion, Fury acknowledges the challenge he faces against Usyk later this month. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, he said: "Oleksandr Usyk's a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you'd be a mug," adding, "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."

Breathing a blend of respect and anticipation, the heavyweight focused on his formidable opponent with sincere acclamation: "You have to respect that, I'm not fighting some guy who's had 14 and won 11. I'm fighting the real deal as real deal as Holyfield. I'm looking forward to the challenge. He's a southpaw, he's got good footwork so they say, good boxing ability, technically sound. He's proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights because he's beat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. I'm messing with an elite fighter.", reports the Mirror.

Echoing this respect and optimism, the boxer's promoter Frank Warren virtue-signalled his belief in Fury's competence and commitment during a talkSPORT interview, stating, "I'm confident we are going to get a vintage performance, I spoke to him during the week," he divulged. "He's in a very good shape I think, and although he had that cut it has come good as he has had back-to-back camps."

Further extending rave reviews on Fury's physical prowess and strategic preparations, he shared, "Physically I have never seen him look so well. The worry was going straight into a training camp was that he'd peak too soon. He has worked really hard so that he is in his best nick on May 18. I just feel he is going to put on a magnificent performance and stop Usyk."