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Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest news and weigh-in updates as as camps engage in dispute over judges
We are just one day 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 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.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, ahead of Friday’s weigh-in at 6pm 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 weigh-in LIVE
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
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
Later on, during the weigh-in, Fury and Usyk will face off for the final time before tomorrow’s first bell.
Will they match their 12-minute staredown from yesterday’s press conference? Let’s see!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
We’re just awaiting the first fighters now. A reminder of tomorrow’s card, 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 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
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).
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 weigh-in 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 weigh-in 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 weigh-in LIVE: John Fury axed from son’s corner team
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
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 weigh-in LIVE: Ruling made on Briton’s beard
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:
Ruling made on Tyson Fury’s beard after Oleksandr Usyk’s team raises concern
Fury has sported a long beard this week, having reportedly cut off his family during an intense training camp
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