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Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest news and updates as John Fury axed from son’s corner ahead of press conference
We are just two days away from the biggest rematch of the year, as Tyson Fury bids to avenge his first loss – against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is just two days 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 nothing 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.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, ahead of today’s press conference at 3pm GMT, 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 press conference LIVE: John Fury axed from son’s corner team
The big bit of news from yesterday’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 Uysk 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 on Saturday if Steward was telling the truth, or if he’s misleading us...
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Did judges score first fight correctly?
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 official scorecards: Did the judges get it right in Riyadh?
Usyk beat Fury via split decision – 115-112, 113-114, 114-113 – but did the judges get it right?
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Age brings double-edged sword which will decide rematch
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 37 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.
Steve Bunce on the role of age in Usyk vs Fury 2:
Age brings double-edged sword which will decide Fury v Usyk rematch
Declining physical ability and changed tactical approaches – which fighter deals with them best will emerge victorious
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: How Ukraine’s war changed Usyk, and how it didn’t
As the press conference 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.
How Ukraine’s war changed Oleksandr Usyk – and how it didn’t
As Usyk bids to beat Tyson Fury and become the undisputed heavyweight champion, Alex Pattle speaks to the Ukrainian’s promoter and compatriots about his role in the war and importance back home
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Briton heavier for rematch?
Fury expects to be more than a stone heavier against Usyk on Saturday than he was in May.
Ahead of their first fight, which Usyk won via split decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion, Fury tipped the scales at 18.7st (262lb). Meanwhile, Usyk – a former undisputed cruiserweight champion – weighed in at 15.9st (223lb), slightly surpassing his previous career-high weight.
But ahead of Saturday’s rematch for the unified belts, after Usyk vacated the IBF title in spring, Fury will be coming in even heavier.
“[I’m] about 20st (280lb) at the moment, just over,” Fury told Sky Sports, before saying it will give him “more power in the punches”.
When asked whether his best performances have come at heavier weights, the Briton added: “I think so, yeah. When a 20st man hits you on the jaw, compared to a man at 17st, it’s a bit different for sure. I’m gonna beat him that bad on Saturday, he ain’t gonna want a rematch – but listen, I think people do a lot of stuff for a right few quid, don’t they? So, crazier things have happened.”
More here:
Tyson Fury details key change in search of knockout in Oleksandr Usyk rematch
Fury labelled Usyk a ‘middleweight’ ahead of their first meeting, yet the Ukrainian came close to stopping the Briton in round nine
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Key timings this week
So, today’s press conference is scheduled for 3pm GMT per DAZN, although yesterday’s open workouts were set for 4pm and started at 6pm.
Stick around with us, either way, and we’ll have you covered!
Tomorrow brings the weigh-in at 5pm GMT apparently, and Saturday is obviously fight night.
On Saturday, the first fight is scheduled for 5pm GMT, with main-event ring walks expected at 10.15pm.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Fury arrived by boat for his open workout at Riyadh’s Boulevard World and, having had his gloves laced up by trainer Sugar Hill Steward, he briefly moved around the ring before his gloves were taken off without a punch being thrown.
The former WBC champion, who declined to say whether he would shave off his beard before the fight given it appears to be in contravention of boxing rules, gave brief answers when interviewed in the ring.
“A lot of pain. Smash and damage. A lot of hurt. Hurt. Serious hurt. A lot of damage,” he said.
Steward then revealed that himself, second Andy Lee and a cutman from the first encounter when Fury’s dad John was also present.
The corner work in May was strongly criticised with each of Steward, Lee and Fury Sr giving contradictory advice in between the later rounds.
It was part of a controversial week for Fury Sr, who was left bloodied after head butting a member of Usyk’s entourage.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Win or lose at Kingdom Arena on Saturday, Fury will be keeping perspective on what it means to step into the ring.
The 36-year-old has spoken openly about his struggle with depression, including a suicide attempt in 2016, and insists that mental health will always be his ultimate battle.
“I don’t think boxing is ever my biggest victory. I’ve come back from suicide, I’ve come back from the depths of despair,” he said.
“So to go in there and get paid a tonne of money to do a boxing match with some clown, it’s child’s play compared to what I’ve had to go through. Boxing for me is a game compared to what I’ve had to come through.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Fury has already stated he will seek a trilogy fight against Usyk before switching attention to Anthony Joshua, while Dubois is also an option given he holds the IBF belt.
“I’ve tried to walk away many times and have been unsuccessful,” the ‘Gypsy King’ said.
“I meant it when I retired after Dillian Whyte back in 2022. I really meant that wholeheartedly.
“I could have put my hands on the Bible and meant it. But it was very difficult to let it go so I’m not sure if I can ever let it go.
“What brings me back to the ring? Victory, winning the belts and keep going. It’s what I do.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
“Just for the record, I’m going to absolutely annihilate this motherf***** on Saturday night. No retirement, I’m cleaning them all out and he’s going to be first. Rabbit’s face,” Fury told Dazn.
“I was very happy with the performance (in the first fight). I didn’t get the result I wanted, but I was happy overall with what I did. It wasn’t any different to what I thought it would be. He was easier to hit.”
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