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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 open workouts LIVE
Dave Allen works out next, doing some pad work ahead of his heavyweight clash with former sparring partner Johnny Fisher.
Allen’s workout is soundtracked by “The Whole Of The Moon” by The Waterboys. Another great tune.
Allen makes his exit, and here comes Fisher: the “Romford Bull”.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE
Super-bantamweight Peter McGrail is in the ring next for some shadow boxing.
You’d assume he’d be followed by opponent Rhys Edwards, who is stepping in for Dennis McCann, after McCann was pulled from Saturday’s card for failing a drug test...
But we’re onto Lee McGregor instead; he boxes Fury’s teammate Isaac Lowe at featherweight this weekend.
Lowe is out after McGregor, to the sound of “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus and Chaka Khan. Stone, cold, classic.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE
Novytskyi keeps it nice and loose during his workout, hopping about, looking as if he’s enjoying the music as much as his pad work.
None of the fighters are spending much time in the ring. Will Fury and Usyk get a bit longer?
Dylan Colin is up next. He does some barehand pad work and shadow boxing now, ahead of his light-heavyweight clash with Daniel Lapin.
And here comes Lapin, after Colin leaves the ring. Both men are unbeaten by the way...
Lapin largely bounces around, staying light on his feet, loosening up. He’s donning a pink and gold tracksuit.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE
First to work out is Joshua Ocampo, ahead of his bout with Mohammed Alakel.
Some impressive flexibility from Ocampo, who opens his workout by doing the splits on the canvas!
Here comes Alakel.
Alakel with some shadow boxing, before Edgar Ramirez enters the ring for some pad work.
Ramirez fights Ukraine’s unbeaten Andrii Novytskyi on Saturday.
Next out is Novytskyi, who defends the WBC International heavyweight title against Ramirez.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE: Crucial moment that sparked comeback to seal destiny
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:
Usyk and the crucial moment that sparked comeback to beat Fury and seal destiny
Fury was forced to take a count in the ninth round of a classic, as Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years
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