The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest updates and results from heavyweight title rematch
The biggest rematch of the year has arrived, as Tyson Fury bids to avenge his first loss – against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is today, 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 the rematch.
The pre-fight press conference brought a ridiculous, 12-minute face-off between Fury and Usyk, who both refused to back down. There was a much shorter face-off at Friday’s weigh-in, after both boxers tipped the scales at career-heaviest weights, and there is now a dispute over Fury’s beard after Usky’s camp flagged it as a potential concern.
Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, with ring walks expected at 10.15pm GMT tonight, 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.)
Ruling made on Tyson Fury’s beard after Oleksandr Usyk’s team raise concern
Tyson Fury will reportedly not have to trim his beard for his rematch with Oleksandr 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.
Fury vs Usyk 2: Start time and how to watch
When is the fight and what time does it start?
Fury vs Usyk 2, over 12 rounds for the unified heavyweight titles, will take place on Saturday 21 December. The rematch takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The first fight is set for 5pm GMT (9am PT / 11am CT / 12pm ET), with main-event ring walks scheduled for 10.15pm GMT (2.15pm PT / 4.15pm CT / 5.15pm ET).
How can I watch it?
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.
How much money are Fury and Usyk making?
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 predictions and odds: Top fighters tip who will win heavyweight title fight
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet again, as the Briton bids for revenge – and heavyweight gold.
Usyk narrowly outpointed Fury in May, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. With that, the Ukrainian stayed unbeaten and handed Fury his first professional loss.
It also kept him unbeaten, although he had to fight through adversity in the middle rounds to keep that perfect record intact.
Since then, the 37-year-old has vacated the IBF belt, meaning only three of the four major titles are on the line in this rematch. Still, Fury, 36, will be highly motivated to level the score.
But as the Saudi showdown edges nearer and predictions are made, opinions are split in the boxing world.
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: Undercard in full for heavyweight boxing rematch
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will clash again tonight, seven months after the Ukrainian was crowned undisputed heavyweight champion.
In May, Usyk won a split decision against the Briton to end a 24-year wait for an undisputed king in boxing’s glamour division. In doing so, the 37-year-old also handed Fury, 36, the first loss of his professional career.
Their rematch in Riyadh, where the first bout took place, will see the pair vie for the unified belts this time – after the unbeaten Usyk gave up the IBF title – but who else is fighting?
Israil Madrimov, who fought valiantly in a loss to Terence Crawford in August, was due to star, but he has fallen ill and will be replaced against Serhii Bohachuk – with Ishmael Davis stepping in. Also, Dennis McCann is out of his fight with Peter McGrail after failing a drug test, and Rhys Edwards will replace him.
Elsewhere on the undercard, the “Romford Bull” Johnny Fisher will be in heavyweight action, as will rising star Moses Itauma.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Fury vs Usyk 2: Undercard in full for heavyweight boxing rematch
Israil Madrimov is out of his bout with Serhii Bohachuk – but who is stepping in?
Fury vs Usyk 2 live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV
Oleksandr Usyk will aim to do the double over Tyson Fury, as the pair square off in a rematch in Riyadh.
Seven months ago, Usyk narrowly outpointed Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. And while the Ukrainian soon gave up the IBF belt, meaning only three of the four major titles are on the line this time, Fury will still be desperate for revenge.
The Briton’s loss to Usyk was the first of his professional career, while Usyk’s split-decision win kept him unbeaten. However, Fury has a strong record in rematches: after points wins over Derek Chisora and John McDermott and a draw with Deontay Wilder, the “Gypsy King” stopped each man the second time around – and third, in the cases of Wilder and Chisora.
So, fans expect another close affair in Saudi Arabia. Yet Usyk, 37, is the favourite ahead of this rematch – having come close to stopping Fury, 36, in round nine in May.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rematch:
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: Start time and ring walks for heavyweight boxing rematch
Tyson Fury seeks revenge against Oleksandr Usyk, as the heavyweights clash in Riyadh for the second time in seven months.
In May, Usyk handed Fury the first loss of his professional career, winning a split decision over the Briton to become undisputed heavyweight champion – the first in 24 years.
Usyk, 37, soon vacated the IBF belt, meaning the unified titles are on the line in this rematch – not undisputed gold – but Fury will be motivated to level the score against the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia, especially after a ninth round in which Usyk almost stopped the Briton.
Usyk’s narrow win over Fury, 36, kept him unbeaten, and he is favoured to overcome the “Gypsy King” again... but fans are expecting another close contest.
Here’s everything you need to know
Fury vs Usyk 2: Start time and ring walks for heavyweight boxing 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
Thank you for following our live coverage of today’s weigh-in!
Below is a recap of the key details, and we’ll see you again tomorrow... for a HUGE rematch.
Until then!
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk both at career-heaviest weights for rematch
Fury was almost 20lb heavier than he was in May, when he lost to Usyk via split decision
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
So, Fury is 281lb/127.4kg, after weighing in at 262lb/118.8kg in May – almost 20lb heavier this time, a career-heaviest!
Usyk is also at a career-heaviest 226lb/102.5kg, after tipping the scales at 223lb/101.1kg in May.
Bear in mind that each man was basically fully dressed.
A VERY brief face-off, too, after their 12-minute staredown yesterday!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
Onto the penultimate weigh-in! Heavyweights Demsey McKean and Moses Itauma take to the stage.
Australian’s McKean tips the scales at 251.1lb/113.8kg.
British 19-year-old Itauma is 249.1lb/112.9kg!
That’s actually closer than I expected. Itauma’s greatest strengths are his speed and movement, while McKean’s nickname is the “Tower” – which should tell you about his size!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments