Tyson Fury lost for the first time in his career a fortnight ago

Tyson Fury has backed promoter Frank Warren as five of his fighters square off against Eddie Hearn’s stable as the Gypsy King speaks for the first time since losing to Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury has spoken publicly for the first time since losing to Oleksandr Usyk as he urged Frank Warren and his fighters to “smash Eddie Hearn and Matchroom”.

The Gypsy King recently lost his belts to Usyk, who became the heavyweight division’s first ever unified champion after a points victory in Saudi Arabia. The fight had been a long time in the making with Fury having to reflect on the first loss of his professional career.

A fortnight after that loss and Fury has been back on social media, backing his promoter and their team as they prepare for a unique 5 v 5 card that will see Warren pitch a quintet of his fighters against Hearn’s – with Deontay Wilder headlining.

The Brit took to social media and said: ” Tyson Fury here, very important message, it is that important I’ve done it from my bedroom. Frank, Queensbury, all the boys on our team – do the business. Smash Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Get up there, come on Queensbury and Frank Warren. All the best to all the fighters, good luck.”

The two big-name promoters pit fighters from their respective stables against each other in the unprecedented event in Riyadh on Saturday night. Hearn has secured the services of Wilder, who has failed to beat Fury on three occasions and lost to Joseph Parker back in December, for a heavyweight tussle with fellow big-hitter Zhilei Zhang in this weekend’s main event.

Queensberry’s Daniel Dubois will face heavyweight Filip Hrgovic in a world -title final eliminator and Liverpool featherweight Nick Ball will challenge WBA world champion Raymond Ford.

A middleweight contest between Hamzah Sheeraz and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams and a light-heavyweight bout between Willy Hutchinson and Craig Richards complete the 5 v 5 event.

Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury in their recent bout

“We’d be fools to mess this up,” Warren said after joining forces with Hearn. “Our respective fighters are getting tremendous opportunities, making lots of money.”

Warren meanwhile has helped sort a rematch date for Fury and Usyk with the Ukrainian defending his belt in a bout on 21 December, according to the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority.

A rematch was thought to be in the works for October but Turki Alalshikh says the date has been pushed back to December. “The world will watch another historical fight again,” Alashikh said on social media. “Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”