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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.)
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!
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
Super-welterweights take to the stage now! Serhii Bohachuk and Ishmael Davis.
Davis comes in at 153.6lb/69.6kg, before Bohachuk weighs 153.1lb/69.4kg.
Davis steps in for Israil Madrimov, who fell ill earlier this month and had to withdraw from the fight.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
Now here come heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen – former sparring partners, who will be opponents tomorrow.
Allen weighs in at 257.6lb/116.8kg. Fisher hits the scales at 241.1lb/109.3kg; “Bosh,” as he’d say.
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
Next out on stage are Isaac Lowe and Lee McGregor, who meet in a featherweight bout.
McGregor tips the scales at 125.9lb/57.1kg. Now Lowe, a teammate of Fury, weighs in at 125.1lb/56.7kg.
There’s a tense face-off, with both men barking at each other.
The face-off ends with the fighters being pulled apart! This fight could be the sleeper hit of the night tomorrow.
McGregor: “That’s the good thing about this, we get to find out tomorrow. That’s what was said. All the talking’s done, it’s time to go to work.
“He’s saying that I’ve got no heart, that’s one thing I’ve got – massively. You cannot question my heart. I told him that.”
Lowe: “We’ll see tomorrow night when he gets put to sleep. He’s getting knocked spark out.
“Lee’s a tough kid, comes forward, but there’s no one like me.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE
Time for Rhys Edwards vs Peter McGrail (super-bantamweight).
Welshman Edwards is up first - he’s in for Dennis McCann, who tested positive for adverse substances. And he’ll face Peter McGrail, who hails from Liverpool.
Edwards is 129.1lb/58.5kg; McGrail weighs in slightly above at 129.8lb/58.9kg.
The Welshman explains coming onboard at quick notice:
“Look where I am. It was an easy choice, I’m grateful to be here and hopefully do the job,” he says. “Peter’s a very good fighter but I believe in myself and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Big respect to Rhys and his team taking it on short notice. It feels a lot more real now,” McGrail adds. “I’m in great shape and looking forward to performing.”
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