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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 4pm 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: Fighters make predictions
As Saturday’s Saudi showdown edges nearer and predictions are made, opinions are split in the boxing world.
Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, a former sparring partner of Fury, has faith in the Briton. “I feel like, in this fight, we’re going to see a version of Fury that we haven’t seen for a long time: a hungry Fury, [who knows he] can be beaten if he doesn’t perform well,” said the Australian.
“So, I feel like he’s going to be preparing the best he’s prepared in a long time, to win this fight. He knew his boxing IQ was better than a lot of those fighters that he’s been fighting; he relied on that. This one, he can’t rely on that natural ability. He needs to put in the hard work as well, and I feel like we’re going to see that.”
Meanwhile, Derek Chisora – a former opponent of Fury and Usyk – is picking the Ukrainian to triumph again. Chisora, who lost to Fury thrice and Usyk once, said: “[Usyk] is still the same, bro. It’s gonna be a good fight, we’re gonna see a little bit of difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little bit different, but Usyk will come a little bit different [as well]. But as the scales hit right now, my money’s still edging on Usyk.”
Fighters predict Fury vs Usyk 2 ahead of heavyweight title fight
After Usyk handed Fury his first loss to become undisputed heavyweight champion, the pair run it back
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Main-event prize money
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.
How much prize money will Fury and Usyk earn in title rematch?
The heavyweights run it back after Usyk handed Fury his first professional loss to become the undisputed champion in Riyadh
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE
Okay, confirmation: today’s press conference will begin at 4pm GMT – an hour later than stated!
Stay with us, though, as the time will pass quickly, and we’ve got plenty of content to keep you up to date ahead of Usyk vs Fury 2.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: Undercard in full
Usually, these press conferences are broken into two parts: an undercard conference, and one for the main event.
So, 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.
Fury vs Usyk 2 undercard featuring Ishmael Davis and David Allen
Israil Madrimov is out of his bout with Serhii Bohachuk – but who is stepping in?
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and press conference LIVE: How to watch fight
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 live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV
The heavyweights run it back after Usyk handed Fury his first professional loss to become the undisputed champion in Riyadh
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
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