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Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest news and updates as public workouts take place in title fight build-up
We are just three 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 three 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.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, including Wednesday’s open workouts, 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: Fighters make predictions
Further predictions...
Back in the heavyweight division, Fabio Wardley and Agit Kabayel differed in their opinions.
Wardley, the reigning British champion, said: “A lot of people I’ve spoken to within the industry are edging towards Usyk. [Those predictions are] more so mentality-based. I [also] think he’s more focused on the task at hand, focused on the job, and is dedicated.”
Kabayel countered: “Fury’s mentality is better [than last time], he’s focused, he will win the fight. He has long arms, he is tall, and he is intelligent – he has everything. He works with the brain. This fight’s very close. He is really good at boxing, Oleksandr Usyk, but in my heart, I think Fury wins the fight on points. I hate predictions, but I will say this.”
Amir Khan similarly backed Fury to right his wrong from May, with the former world champion saying: “I just lean more towards Tyson in this fight. As we get closer to the fight, I feel like Tyson might be a little too thin. We know Fury can fight on his back foot, but we just don’t know what to expect [...] Let’s see, I’m gonna stick with Fury to win the fight, but there could be a few scares.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE: Fighters make predictions
More predictions!
Ex-world champion Joe Cordina, who fought on the undercard of Fury-Usyk 1 like Opetaia, predicted: “Fury, [rounds eight to 12], stoppage. He’ll struggle with the footwork of Usyk for the first half, and then he’ll just think: ‘I’ve got to get on it now.’ And the weight, the size will all come into play.”
Another former world champion, Carl Frampton, echoed that sentiment. He said: “I fancy Fury. My mind hasn’t really swayed from start to finish, which is strange in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury from the start. I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a difficult fight.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts 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 open workouts 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 open workouts LIVE: Saturday’s fight card
Subject to late changes; ‘C’ denotes champion
Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Tyson Fury 2 (WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles)
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis (super-welterweight)
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean (heavyweight)
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen (heavyweight)
Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight)
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor (featherweight)
Fury vs Usyk 2 undercard features rising star and late replacement
Israil Madrimov is out of his bout with Serhii Bohachuk – but who is stepping in?
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts 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 open workouts LIVE: Fight-night timings
Fury vs Usyk 2, over 12 rounds for the unified heavyweight titles, will take place on Saturday.
The rematch takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The main event is scheduled to start at 10.25pm GMT (2.25pm PT / 4.25pm CT / 5.25pm ET), with ring walks starting around 10 minutes earlier.
Fury vs Usyk 2: Start time and ring walks
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 open workouts LIVE
Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is just three 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.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, including Wednesday’s open workouts, right here.
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