Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is just one day away, as the Briton aims to claim the unified heavyweight titles – seven months after suffering his first professional loss, against the Ukrainian.
In May, Usyk won a split decision against Fury to become the division’s first undisputed champion in 24 years. Now, the pair return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Usyk defends the gold against the “Gypsy King” – minus the IBF belt, which he vacated in spring.
Fury fought impressively in May, leading the fight after the midway stage, but a phenomenal rally from Usyk secured victory, keeping the former cruiserweight king unbeaten. Usyk, 37, even came close to stopping Fury, 36, in round nine, and will take great confidence from that in Saturday’s rematch.
But there was little to take from Wednesday’s open workouts, where Fury laced up his gloves but threw zero punches. That said, his coach Sugarhill Steward did drop some news: that Fury’s father John will not be in the Gypsy King’s corner this time around. Then, on Thursday, the press conference brought a ridiculous, 12-minute face-off between Fury and Usyk, who both refused to back down despite attempts from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and others.
There was a much shorter face-off at Friday’s weigh-in, after both boxers tipped the scales at career-heaviest weights – with Fury significantly heavier than Usyk.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, with ring walks expected at 10.15pm GMT on Saturday, below. You can watch the fight live on DAZN this weekend. (We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.)
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
- Tyson Fury challenges Oleksandr Usyk for unified heavyweight titles
- Pair return to Riyadh, where Usyk handed Fury his first loss ever in May
- Usyk won split decision against Fury, nearly stopping the Briton in round nine
- That result made the unbeaten Ukrainian the first undisputed heavyweight king in 24 years
- Usyk has since vacated the IBF belt, meaning undisputed status is not on the line this time
- Fury laced up gloves at Wednesday’s open workouts but threw zero punches
- Fury’s coach, Sugarhill Steward, said fighter’s father John will not be in corner this time
- Fury and Usyk shared ridiculous, 12-minute staredown at Thursday’s press conference
- Fury and Usyk camps locked in dispute over judges – after one withdraws due to illness
- Ruling made on Fury’s beard after Usyk’s team raises concern
- Fury and Usyk both at career-heaviest weights on Friday; Briton significantly bigger
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
20:00
Alex Pattle
"I'm just a fan. Good luck to both" @EddieHearn #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/LMaBwOPh2m
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 20, 2024
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:50
Alex Pattle
️ @usykaa thanks family ahead of world title defence...#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/7WZgObq1pw
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 20, 2024
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:40
Alex Pattle
...@usykaa & @tyson_fury lock eyes one last time before fight night #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21, live on DAZN | Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/wPwldvbcJt
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 20, 2024
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:30
Alex Pattle
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:26
Alex Pattle
So, Fury is 281lb/127.4kg, after weighing in at 262lb/118.8kg in May – almost 20lb heavier this time, a career-heaviest!
Usyk is also at a career-heaviest 226lb/102.5kg, after tipping the scales at 223lb/101.1kg in May.
Bear in mind that each man was basically fully dressed.
A VERY brief face-off, too, after their 12-minute staredown yesterday!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:16
Alex Pattle
So, we await Fury and Usyk to complete the weigh-in...
Fury emerges to the sound of “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve. A classic.
Now here comes Usyk, but Fury will weigh in first...
Fury tips the scales at 281lb/127.4kg! WOW. A biggggg man.
Usyk now... 226lb/102.5kg! Let’s hope Michael Buffer got it right this time, after he misread the Ukrainian’s weight in May!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:10
Alex Pattle
Onto the penultimate weigh-in! Heavyweights Demsey McKean and Moses Itauma take to the stage.
Australian’s McKean tips the scales at 251.1lb/113.8kg.
British 19-year-old Itauma is 249.1lb/112.9kg!
That’s actually closer than I expected. Itauma’s greatest strengths are his speed and movement, while McKean’s nickname is the “Tower” – which should tell you about his size!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
19:04
Alex Pattle
Super-welterweights take to the stage now! Serhii Bohachuk and Ishmael Davis.
Davis comes in at 153.6lb/69.6kg, before Bohachuk weighs 153.1lb/69.4kg.
Davis steps in for Israil Madrimov, who fell ill earlier this month and had to withdraw from the fight.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:57
Alex Pattle
Now here come heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen – former sparring partners, who will be opponents tomorrow.
Allen weighs in at 257.6lb/116.8kg. Fisher hits the scales at 241.1lb/109.3kg; “Bosh,” as he’d say.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:52
Alex Pattle
Next out on stage are Isaac Lowe and Lee McGregor, who meet in a featherweight bout.
McGregor tips the scales at 125.9lb/57.1kg. Now Lowe, a teammate of Fury, weighs in at 125.1lb/56.7kg.
There’s a tense face-off, with both men barking at each other.
The face-off ends with the fighters being pulled apart! This fight could be the sleeper hit of the night tomorrow.
McGregor: “That’s the good thing about this, we get to find out tomorrow. That’s what was said. All the talking’s done, it’s time to go to work.
“He’s saying that I’ve got no heart, that’s one thing I’ve got – massively. You cannot question my heart. I told him that.”
Lowe: “We’ll see tomorrow night when he gets put to sleep. He’s getting knocked spark out.
“Lee’s a tough kid, comes forward, but there’s no one like me.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:43
Alex Pattle
Time for Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight).
Welshman Edwards is up first - he’s in for Dennis McCann, who tested positive for adverse substances. And he’ll face Peter McGrail, who hails from Liverpool.
Edwards is 129.1lb/58.5kg; McGrail weighs in slightly above at 129.8lb/58.9kg.
The Welshman explains coming onboard at quick notice:
“Look where I am. It was an easy choice, I’m grateful to be here and hopefully do the job,” he says. “Peter’s a very good fighter but I believe in myself and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Big respect to Rhys and his team taking it on short notice. It feels a lot more real now,” McGrail adds. “I’m in great shape and looking forward to performing.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:40
Alex Pattle
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin (light-heavyweight) is the next fight due on stage.
14 wins and undefeated so far for Frenchman Dylan Colin. After a year out the ring he’s in at 173.1lb/78.5kg.
27-year-old Lapin hails from Ukraine, he’s a southpaw and he’s in at 174.9lb/79.3kg.
When they stand up face to face, the Frenchman is giving up a good few inches in height to his opponent.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:35
Alex Pattle
Next up: Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez (heavyweight)
Ten wins, a draw and one defeat for the Mexican, who comes in at 261.1lb/118kg
Ukrainian Novytskyi is undefeated in 13 fights and as Bunce points out...he’s enormous. 237lb/107.5kg - bit of a difference there! Seven pounds lighter than his last fight.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:30
Alex Pattle
We’re finally ready for the weigh-ins! A lengthy introduction, sponsors and broadcasters announced - but now we get going with the undercard, starting with Mohammad Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo (super-featherweight).
Ocampo weighs in at 133.4lb/60.5kg. Alakel in at 134.1lb/60.8kg.
Mohamed Alakel is 24 hours from his second professional fight. “The hard work is done, it’s time to have fun,” he says.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:27
Karl Matchett
Here’s promoter Frank Warren ahead of the weigh-in and what he expects from Tyson Fury:
“We’re one day away from one of the best fights we’ve seen. I’ve never seen anything quite like it (the face-off), they weren’t prepared to give much away. It was like whoever looks away it’s a moral victory. Neither were prepared to give it. They are so on this, I’ve never seen such an intensity to a fight to be honest.
“It’s a different Tyson Fury. He’ll hug and kiss people - none of that. Just spoke to his wife, she’s never seen him in this mode. The most conversation I had was the day before yesterday. His mantra is ‘I am going to win’.
“I know what’s going to happen. As soon as the bell goes, those fighters shared 12 hard rounds.
“Usyk doesn’t fight so great going backwards. As soon as the bell goes, Tyson will be on top of him.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:25
Karl Matchett
Steve Bunce is discussing the upcoming fight on TNT Sports - and says both fighters will be looking to play it different to the first meeting. “Everyone’s saying about Tyson learning from the first fight and making adjustments - we might see a slightly different Usyk,” Independent columnist Bunce says.
“[Promoter] Alex Krassyuk keeps saying, ‘this is a different fight’. Let’s not mince our words, we knew Usyk would try and nick the decision. I’m sensing that’s not 100% the plan for the rematch.
“Usyk took a predictions kicking yesterday. It was quite ridiculous, it really was.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
18:03
Alex Pattle
The weigh-in is finally upon us. A reminder of the weights from the first fight:
Fury tipped the scales at 18.7st (262lb), while Usyk – a former undisputed cruiserweight champion – weighed in at 15.9st (223lb), slightly surpassing his previous career-high weight.
Fury has vowed to come in even heavier this time, though. Perhaps closer to 20st (280lb).
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Main-event prize money
17:42
Alex Pattle
Reports suggested that the overall purse for the first fight was around $150m (£116m), with Fury taking roughly 70 per cent of that.
For the rematch, the purse is reported to be closer to $191m (£150m), and while the split has not been disclosed, Usyk should earn a greater percentage than he did in May – as the A-side this time around.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Did judges score first fight correctly?
17:27
Alex Pattle
In May, we looked at the scorecards from Fury vs Usyk 1, to see if the judges got it right.
Here’s what we thought, including how we scored the bout:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: John Fury axed from son’s corner team
17:13
Alex Pattle
The big news from Wednesday’s open workouts was that Tyson Fury’s father, John, will apparently not be in the “Gypsy King”’s corner on Saturday.
Sugarhill Steward, Fury’s head coach, said the former champion’s corner team would consist of himself, Andy Lee, and a cutman.
In May, as Fury lost to Usyk on points, it was widely thought that the Briton had too many voices in his corner. But John Fury specifically came under criticism for what was deemed weak advice to his son.
Furthermore, John Fury headbutted a member of Usyk’s team during fight week in May, cutting his own head in the process.
We’ll find out tomorrow if Steward was telling the truth, or if he’s misleading us...
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: How to watch fight
16:38
Alex Pattle
As with recent Saudi-staged events, the fight will air live on DAZN pay-per-view, TNT Sports Box Office, and Sky Sports Box Office – priced at £24.99 on all three.
However, DAZN is the only one that doesn’t require viewers to have a subscription to access the PPV; and it is offering a free, seven-day, no-commitment trial if fans buy the event. Purchase the fight on DAZN here.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch Joshua vs Dubois, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Ruling made on Briton’s beard
15:55
Alex Pattle
Fury will reportedly not have to trim his beard for his rematch with Usyk this weekend.
Fury, who claimed he cut himself off from his family during an intense training camp, has sported a long beard this week, as he aims to avenge his sole professional loss – a split decision against Usyk in May. That result kept Usyk unbeaten and saw him crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
And ahead of Saturday’s second meeting in Riyadh, where Usyk defends the unified belts this time, the Ukrainian flagged Fury’s beard as a potential concern.
“It is interesting,” Sky Sports’s Andy Scott said on Friday (20 December). “[Fury] is calling it ‘beast mode’, it’s very much a camp mentality; he’s grown out the beard [in] a hard training camp.
“During the discussions, it was flagged by team Usyk. ‘Will Tyson Fury be required to trim that beard?’, presumably because it acts as a cushion.
“The commission ruled ‘no’, because – as it is – there are no specified rules. They want a trim and neat beard, so they don’t want a sharp beard that you could use to rub on your [opponent’s] face and aggravate a cut, and obviously they don’t want something that is too extreme.
“But they were quite happy with that beard, and this is not stating the obvious but: it’s not gonna grow [much] overnight! So, it is a relief that it isn’t gonna become a talking point, but it is worth flagging.”
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Crucial moment that sparked comeback to seal destiny
15:05
Alex Pattle
In their first fight, round six looked like the beginning of the end for Usyk, who was wincing after everybody shot from Fury, who then made those clever switches to attack the head with the right uppercut.
At one point, Usyk was staggering perhaps as badly as he ever has. But then the 37-year-old, as he tends to, began to motor as the bout entered its second half, building momentum and narrowing the deficit.
And then came the fateful moment. In the ninth frame, Usyk – backing Fury up to the ropes and squaring his feet to open up the southpaw left hook – pummelled the Briton. The towering Fury was now teetering, stumbling and swaying across the ring, devoid of his senses. He was arguably saved by a strange standing count from the referee, before the bell sounded. It was a stunning visual and a moment that could have proven controversial.
But Usyk did what was crucial: He kept pressuring Fury, forcing the Briton to focus on defence. With that, Usyk arguably took the final few rounds to complete a remarkable comeback.
The scorecards threatened to deny him his destiny, as so many numbers have done to so many deserving boxers over the decades. But mercifully the judges, between them, got the decision right – just.
Report from Riyadh on the night of Usyk vs Fury 1:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Anthony Joshua predicts close fight
14:35
Alex Pattle
Story here after Anthony Joshua makes his prediction for tomorrow night’s huge rematch:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Al-Sheikh drops hint on Joshua-Dubois 2
13:05
Alex Pattle
Anthony Joshua may not engage in a risky rematch with Daniel Dubois after all, according to Saudi adviser Turki Al-Sheikh.
In September, Dubois dropped Joshua three times en route to a fifth-round knockout win, retaining the IBF heavyweight belt against his fellow Briton.
Talk quickly turned to a rematch of the Wembley showdown, but Dubois has since been paired with Joseph Parker, who will challenge the 27-year-old in Riyadh in February.
When Al-Sheikh was asked about Joshua vs Dubois 2 on Thursday, he told iFL TV: “Of course I want to see it again, but I don’t think it will happen again.”
Joshua’s other main option for his next bout is a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, yet – as ever – there are complications there.
Fury, who challenges Oleksandr Usyk for the unified titles tomorrow, is contracted for a trilogy fight with the Ukrainian, 37, if he emerges victorious in Riyadh.
So, Joshua faces an uncertain 2025. More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Camps divided over judges after last-minute issue
12:35
Alex Pattle
There will be a late change to the judging panel for Fury’s rematch with Usyk, with one judge withdrawing due to illness – a matter that has led to a dispute between the fighters’ camps.
Tomorrow’s rematch, for the unified heavyweight titles, is set to be scored by US judge Pat Morley and Puerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez, who were set to be joined by Fernando Barbosa.
But Barbosa withdrew due to illness late on Thursday, before he could fly to Riyadh.
Keith Idec reported that the American will be replaced by compatriot Steve Weisfeld, who made the journey to Saudi Arabia on Thursday night. But Sky Sports said another official has also made the trip to Riyadh, and that Fury and Usyk’s teams are split on which judge should replace Barbosa.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has reportedly suggested that a coin toss should settle the issue, but the commission must find a way to resolve the matter.
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: How Ukraine’s war changed Usyk – and how it didn’t
12:03
Alex Pattle
As the weigh-in edges closer, why not read our piece on Usyk from May – ahead of his first fight with Fury – on the Ukrainian’s role in the war with Russia?
It features interviews with Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk and other compatriots.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Private talks tell true story of rematch
11:35
Steve Bunce
There were signs in the first fight that the end is not far away for either of the two men.
Fury is now 36, has fought 36 times and has been a professional boxer for 17 years. He has also had bad years, days when he looked at death, hid in the darkest of places and gained 10 stone in flab.
Usyk is 38 in January and has never had an easy fight since turning professional in 2013; he has been matched hard from the start and in 22 fights he has managed to become the undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
In private, they talk of exhaustion and bodies that are simply getting closer to shutting down. At the end of the first fight, they were both near collapse.
Full preview by Steve Bunce:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
10:05
Duncan Bech
Fury has insisted he is motivated by money not legacy, with a lucrative showdown against Anthony Joshua still firmly on his radar.
Whatever the outcome against Usyk on Saturday, Fury believes there will always be appetite for a domestic clash with Joshua, even though his rival’s star has waned after a crushing fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois.
Fury was ringside at Wembley to watch Joshua’s dramatic defeat in September, and he was caught on camera saying: “That’s cost me £150m, the silly c***.”
Fury has insisted he meant what he said.
“Of course I did. We would have had a two-fight deal lined up for a s*** ton of money. Unfortunately doors open, doors close. Does it really matter if he has another loss or not? It doesn’t matter. It’s still a big fight.
“Even if he goes in against Dubois and he gets knocked out again – which he would – that doesn’t mean it’s a s*** fight now. It’s still a great fight. It’s a great fight that we all want to see.”
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
09:05
Jack Rathborn
Fury claims he’s been away from his wife Paris and cut off communication with his family entirely, while focusing on his rematch with Usyk.
“I’ve not spoken to Paris for three months,” Fury told TNT Sports. “Not a word, not spoke to anyone, not been on my phone, I’ve been away from it all. I just wanted to give myself the best opportunity I can.
“I don’t want to keep dividing modes from beast mode, to Dad mode, wife mode, I’ve not spoken to anybody on the phone, that’s it. I’ve just been in the camp the whole time. It’s difficult to keep switching. I’ve not spoken to anybody on the phone. Anybody who has called me has not been successful in getting hold of me in the last couple of months.
“I give up coffee for seven or eight weeks, Diet Cokes for the same amount of time, I don’t think it matters. I’ve taken vitamins for 12 months, came off them for 12 months, didn’t feel anything. I don’t think any of it makes a difference, not having certain things or doing certain things. It’s the goal for the individual to achieve.
“Just be happy and that’s all you can do. The hardest thing in the world is to stay in the moment. Not push for more or want more. Everybody is always pushing for more. Even I’m pushing for more, everybody is.”
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
08:35
Chris Wilson
The heavyweight rematch between Fury and Usyk will feature scoring from a fourth ‘judge’ powered by artificial intelligence.
Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, announced the implementation of the AI judge in a post on X, adding that it is an “experiment” which “won’t impact the official results”.
“For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight”, said the post. “Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring. This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century.”
The announcement is sure to split opinion in a sport that has long been affected by controversial judges’ decisions, with some fans on social media welcoming the decision.
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
07:35
Alex Pattle
Yesterday’s press conference followed Wednesday’s open workouts.
They, too, were intriguing, as Fury laced up his gloves but refused to throw a single punch... before Usyk shadow boxed and danced around the ring.
There was some major news, though: Fury’s head coach, Sugarhill Steward, claimed that the boxer’s father, John, has been axed from their corner team...
More here:
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
07:05
Alex Pattle
Welcome back to our Usyk vs Fury 2 fight-week blog! It feels slightly surreal to say, but fight night is tomorrow...
A huge rematch in Saudi Arabia, as Fury tries to avenge his sole professional loss and take the unified heavyweight belts from Usyk.
At 5pm GMT today, we’ll have the weigh-in, but first, let’s take a look at what happened at yesterday’s press conference.
Little was said before Fury and Usyk faced off for TWELVE, WHOLE, MINUTES.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:54
Alex Pattle
Closing remarks from Fury and Usyk.
Fury: “Can’t wait for Saturday night, thank you everybody involved. God bless.”
Usyk: “Don’t be afraid, [Tyson]. I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday.”
Usyk repeating his words from before their first fight, there.
The fighters share a long, long, long, long face-off. Intense stuff.
It’s been five minutes, and they’re still staring each other in the eye!
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman arrives at the seven-minute mark to try to separate the boxers. No luck.
Nine minutes gone now, and the rivals have started talking. Fury, as you’d expect, is doing most of the barking.
Ten minutes gone, and some bodies are trying to take Fury away. He’s having none of it.
At 12 minutes, they FINALLY separate! Wow...
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:35
Alex Pattle
Usyk welcomes the crowd. Nothing of much note said by the Ukrainian yet, as his promoter Krassyuk interprets for him.
Fury’s promoter Warren says: “The first fight was magnificent, it was a great fight. It had everything, very close fight. This time around, I know these guys have shared the ring for 12 rounds, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s gonna be about who can exploit the weaknesses. I believe Tyson Fury will come through this, and I don’t think this fight goes the distance [...] Do not blink after the first bell.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:31
Alex Pattle
Fury: “I’m gonna dish out a whole lot of pain. I’m gonna put this f***er in the hurt locker for sure.”
He sounds serious...
“I’ve got nothing to say apart from there’s gonna be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight – you watch.
“The first fight I talked, I joked – my whole career [I did that].”
Not this time, he says.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:29
Alex Pattle
Fury is out first, wearing a black hat and a white suit with flowers patterned across it.
Now here comes Usyk, whose arrival is heralded by the Ukrainian singer who performed at yesterday’s open workouts.
Usyk, the defending champion, is wearing a purple suit with the outlines of gold beasts on the front.
Dev Sahni arrives to host the press conference.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:22
Alex Pattle
Okay, a lot of familiar faces are now sat at two tables up on the stage.
We’ve got promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren sharing a laugh (old foes, now friends!), and Fury’s manager Spencer Brown.
Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas is also present, as is Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk.
Johnny Fisher and his opponent Dave Allen are up there; fellow heavyweights Moses Itauma and his opponent Demsey McKean are present, too.
I’ve just spotted Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum, and Usyk’s teammate Sergey Lapin as well!
Michael Buffer gets proceedings under way, and he quickly announces Fury and Usyk’s arrivals!
So, a different set-up to most Riyadh Season press conferences.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Undercard in full
Thursday 19 December 2024 16:07
Alex Pattle
So, the press conference should start any moment now. Usually, these events are broken into two parts: an undercard conference, and one for the main event.
Here’s how Saturday’s fight card looks, from first bout to last:
Mohammad Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo (super-featherweight)
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez (heavyweight)
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin (light-heavyweight)
Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight)
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor (featherweight)
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen (heavyweight)
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean (heavyweight)
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis (super-welterweight)
Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Tyson Fury 2 (WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles)
Subject to late changes; ‘C’ denotes champion.
