Controversy swirls around the upcoming rematch between heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Fury, still stinging from his split-decision defeat to Usyk, has leveled a serious accusation: cheating.

A blurry video circulating online shows Usyk raising an object to his lips after a round. Fury’s camp alleges it’s an inhaler, a banned performance enhancer. However, some speculate the object could be a towel laced with an irritant, a tactic unheard of in professional boxing. Usyk maintains he was simply kissing a cross, a customary gesture for the religious fighter.

This ambiguity has ignited the boxing world. Fury demands Usyk be stripped of his belts and calls for a more thorough investigation. He believes a rematch is pointless if his opponent cheated.  

Officials, however, remain cautious. The unclear video lacks concrete proof, and Usyk passed all pre and post-fight drug tests. Disqualification seems unlikely at this point.

Despite the lack of evidence, the accusation casts a shadow over the upcoming rematch. Fury’s anger is palpable, demanding justice and refusing to back down from his claims. 

The boxing world is left in a holding pattern. Will a more rigorous investigation shed light on the situation? Will the rematch proceed as planned, or will these accusations force a postponement? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the undisputed heavyweight title fight has become a war of words, adding another layer of drama to an already explosive encounter.