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 And Oleksandr Usyk stare each other out for 11 minutes Original Video M264068

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 build-up and latest updates LIVE

• Tyson Fury challenges Oleksandr Usyk for unified heavyweight titles
• Pair return to Riyadh, where Usyk handed Fury his first loss ever in May
• Usyk won split decision against Fury, nearly stopping the Briton in round nine
• That result made the unbeaten Ukrainian the first undisputed heavyweight king in 24 years
• Usyk has since vacated the IBF belt, meaning undisputed status is not on the line this time
• Fury laced up gloves at Wednesday’s open workouts but threw zero punches
• Fury’s coach, Sugarhill Steward, said fighter’s father John will not be in corner this time
• Fury and Usyk shared ridiculous, 12-minute staredown at Thursday’s press conference
• Ruling made on Fury’s beard after Usyk’s team raises concern
• Fury and Usyk both at career-heaviest weights on Friday; Briton significantly bigger
• Third judge for Fury vs Usyk confirmed as coin flip settles dispute

[20 December 2024 12:35 · Alex Pattle]

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and weigh-in LIVE: Camps divided over judges after last-minute issue

There will be a late change to the judging panel for Fury’s rematch with Usyk, with one judge withdrawing due to illness – a matter that has led to a dispute between the fighters’ camps.

Tomorrow’s rematch, for the unified heavyweight titles, is set to be scored by US judge Pat Morley and Puerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez, who were set to be joined by Fernando Barbosa.

But Barbosa withdrew due to illness late on Thursday, before he could fly to Riyadh.

Keith Idec reported that the American will be replaced by compatriot Steve Weisfeld, who made the journey to Saudi Arabia on Thursday night. But Sky Sports said another official has also made the trip to Riyadh, and that Fury and Usyk’s teams are split on which judge should replace Barbosa.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has reportedly suggested that a coin toss should settle the issue, but the commission must find a way to resolve the matter.

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