Boozers braced for a bumper night time to cheer on ‘Gypsy King’ Tyson Fury
British boozers are bracing themselves for a bumper night as boxing fans pack into pubs to cheer on Tyson Fury ahead of his clash with Oleksander Usyk.
The Gypsy King, 35, will be taking on the Ukrainian in one of the biggest fights of the millennium, as they go head-to-head in the first undisputed heavyweight title clash in 25 years.
And pubs are now hoping for a night of knock-out sales, with thousands of fight fans packing out their locals to witness the history-making brawl in the Middle East.
Whoever wins tonight’s winner-takes-all fight will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Fury remains the marginal favourite to clinch victory, with the action beginning at 11pm.
The Gypsy King, 35, will be taking on the Ukrainian in one of the biggest fights of the millennium, as they go head-to-head in the first undisputed heavyweight title clash in 25 years
Whoever wins tonight’s winner-takes-all fight will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999. Fury remains the marginal favourite to clinch victory, with the action beginning at 11pm
Boxing legends such as Anthony Joshua and David Hayes are joining stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia to watch the fight.
Away from the ringside, spectators are flocking to pubs across the UK to watch the highly anticipated face-off.
Bars are already bustling with pub-goers getting ready to take their seats.
The Regents pub in Balham, south-west London, told MailOnline they were expecting over 300 pre-booked fans to arrive.
A member of staff said: ‘It’s very, very busy already. It is going to be amazing. We’ve been taking bookings for the fight for over four weeks.
‘Last time we showed a Fury fight we did really well and it was a great atmosphere so we’re expecting the same tonight!’
Over at London Bridge, Redwood Sports Pub are also closed for walk-ins and are only allowing bookings.
A spokesperson said: ‘We’re expecting to be full capacity but at the moment the atmosphere is quite chill people are just enjoying themselves eating and drinking.’
In Shoreditch, a member of staff at The Corner Shop pub said: ‘Lots of people here right now because we have out clubbing night tonight as well as the Fury fight.
Away from the ringside, spectators are flocking to pubs across the UK to watch the highly anticipated face-off. Bars are already busy with pub-goers getting ready to take their seats (stock image)
‘It is definitely going to be a great night for sales.’
Away from the capital, pubs are equally ready for a busy night.
The Tib Street Tavern in Manchester city centre said: ‘Starting to get busy now with people coming in ready for the fight. We’re mostly just walk-ins but we did have a few people ring up and ask for a booking.
‘We’re expecting a busy one as you can expect. It is always busy when there is a fury fight on.
People are really buzzing for the fight and a lot of them are speaking to staff about who they think are going to win. Unsurprisingly, Fury is the favourite.’
At Dovedales Towers, on Liverpool’s famous Penny Lane, a member of staff told MailOnline: ‘It’s dead busy we’re mostly just doing walk-ins but we have had loads of people ringing up today to ask for bookings.
Win or lose Fury is guaranteed to make £81.5million from the ‘Ring Of Fire’ clash, with pay-per-view purchases expected to push his earnings beyond £100m. The sum will see the Gypsy King rise up the Forbes ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes
‘People are watching it outside as well and a lot of them have been here all day enjoying the nice weather. It’s like the sun has been charging people up ready for the fight.
‘It is a little bit rowdy but that is to be expected! It is definitely going to be a bumper night sales-wise I reckon.’
Win or lose Fury is guaranteed to make £81.5million from the ‘Ring Of Fire’ clash, with pay-per-view purchases expected to push his earnings beyond £100m.
The sum will see the Gypsy King rise up the Forbes ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes. The 35-year-old was placed at 42nd on the business magazine’s list for 2024 ahead of his bid to hold of all the available world titles.
If he does bank the £100m, only Lebron James, Messi and Ronaldo will surpass Fury’s earnings.
