Fury v Usyk LIVE: Start time, undercard and latest updates from weigh-in

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will tip the scales at a weigh-in today, two days before their undisputed heavyweight title fight in Riyadh.

On Saturday, WBC champion Fury and unified title holder Usyk will clash to crown the division’s first undisputed king in 24 years. And fight week in Saudi Arabia has already provided drama, with Fury’s father John headbutting one of Usyk’s teammates on Monday.

Thankfully that incident has not threatened Saturday’s main event, which was delayed by three months when Tyson suffered a cut over his eye in February.

The bout is now closer than ever, with Briton Fury and Ukraine’s Usyk appearing at a press conference on Thursday – where little was said from either man, in all honesty – and the weigh-in marks the final face-off before the first bell.

Follow all the latest news from the Fury vs Usyk fight week below, and live updates from the weigh-in.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest updates from weigh-in

• Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight on Saturday in Saudi Arabia

• Fight is set to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years

• Pair were separated at a fiery weigh-in on Friday, as Fury shoved Usyk

• Fury vowed, ‘I’m coming for his heart!’ after outweighing Usyk

• Usyk’s weight was read incorrectly as 233lbs instead of 223lb

• Is Usyk really too small to beat Fury? World champions talk to Indy Sport

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Ukrainian’s weight read incorrectly!

Friday 17 May 2024 23:21 , Alex Pattle

New footage has shown that Michael Buffer announced Usyk’s weight incorrectly!

The Ukrainian was 223lb, not 233.5lb...

More here:

Late drama as Oleksandr Usyk weight is announced incorrectly at Tyson Fury weigh-in

Is Oleksandr Usyk really too small to beat Tyson Fury? World champions have their say

Friday 17 May 2024 23:37 , Alex Pattle

At Friday’s weigh-in, The Independent asked Olympic medalist Frazer Clarke and former world champions George Groves, Barry Jones and Richie Woodhall for their thoughts on a key debate...

Is Usyk really too small to beat Fury?

Is Oleksandr Usyk really too small to beat Tyson Fury? World champions have their say

Tyson Fury vows to take Oleksandr Usyk’s ‘heart’ at fiery weigh-in

Friday 17 May 2024 22:09 , Alex Pattle

Tyson Fury vows to take Oleksandr Usyk’s ‘heart’ at fiery weigh-in

Did Usyk just blunt Fury’s sharpest weapon? The key takeaway from the weigh-in

Friday 17 May 2024 22:04 , Alex Pattle

For all the intricacies in the skillsets and tactical approaches of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, some observers simply believe the Briton’s size will be the deciding factor on Saturday.

Or they did until Friday, when Usyk eclipsed his own previous heaviest weight by 12lbs.

The Independent was at the Riyadh weigh-in, speaking to Olympic medalist Frazer Clarke and ex-world champions George Groves, Barry Jones and Richie Woodhall about what Uysk’s size means for Fury...

Did Usyk just blunt Tyson Fury’s sharpest weapon? The key takeaway from the weigh-in

Lewis vs Holyfield, the FBI, and a 25-year wait for an undisputed heavyweight title fight

Friday 17 May 2024 20:45 , Alex Pattle

25 years have passed since the last undisputed heavyweight title fight...

Here is Steve Bunce on the historic clash between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield in 1999, which saw Lewis become undisputed.

Lewis and Holyfield sat next to each other at Thursday’s press conference in Riyadh.

Lewis vs Holyfield, the FBI, and a 25-year wait for undisputed

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 20:26 , Ben Fleming

The scenes from the fiery weigh-in earlier on today:

Conspiracies, cuts, collapses: The treacherous road to Fury vs Usyk

Friday 17 May 2024 20:05 , Ben Fleming

Speaking of cuts and blood, it was a laceration over Tyson Fury’s eye that delayed Saturday’s fight in the first place.

Fury and Usyk were due to clash in February, after almost a year of on-and-off negotiations, but the Briton’s cut derailed the bout on two weeks’ notice.

And there have been plenty of other reasons why Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight title fight has taken so long to come together – and why it has been 25 years since the last one...

Here’s the story of Fury vs Usyk:

Conspiracies, cuts and collapses: The treacherous road to Fury vs Usyk

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:33 , Ben Fleming

The stage is set.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:22 , Ben Fleming

Our own Sports Editor Jack Rathborn reckons Usyk, who has come in at a career-heaviest weight, fancies his chances of rocking Fury tomorrow…

Who do you fancy?

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:17 , Alex Pattle

“I’m ready to rock and roll,” Fury says. “Fireworks tomorrow night. I’m going to knock this f***er spark out. I’m coming for his heart. That’s what I’m coming for, f*** his belts, I’m coming for his heart.

“F*** his team, too, they can all get it. S***houses the lot of them.”

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t leave you alone tomorrow,” Usyk tells Fury in response.

He’s asked what his late father would tell him ahead of tomorrow’s fight. “Son, you can,” he says.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:16 , Ben Fleming

The pair come together and Fury, this time, does elect to face off with his opponent, but it quickly descends into a scuffle as the Brit shoves Usyk.

That weight for the Ukrainian is a career-high - his previous heaviest was around 221.5lbs, which he reached in his two wins over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022.

For Fury, it’s about 15lb lighter than what he weighed in for his last fight against Francis Ngannou.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:12 , Ben Fleming

And here they are now, Usyk coming out first, followed shortly after by Fury.

Usyk is first onto the scales... 233.5lb for the Ukrainian.

Fury is up next and he tips the scale at 262lb.

We are set to go for the main event!

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:05 , Ben Fleming

Fury and Usyk will be taking to the stage any moment now.

Michael Buffer is on the mic. A great atmosphere with plenty of Brits clearly making the trip out to Saudi Arabia.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 19:04 , Ben Fleming

Here comes the Ukrainian who will be tipping the scales very shortly.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:58 , Ben Fleming

Just the two main-event heavyweights ago.

For reference, Fury weighed in at 277.7Ibs (126kg) for his last fight, his narrow decision win over Francis Ngannou in October. It must be said, the Briton looks in MUCH better shape this time around, and he is thought to be significantly lighter.

Fury’s weight against Ngannou was his heaviest ever career weight, just ahead of his weight for his third and final fight with Deontay Wilder, when the Briton weighed in at 277lbs.

Usyk tipped the scales at 220.9lbs (100.2kg) for his last fight, his stoppage of Daniel Dubois in August – the Ukrainian’s fifth fight since moving from cruiserweight to heavyweight in 2019.

Usyk’s career-heaviest weight is around 221.5lbs, which he reached in his two wins over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:51 , Ben Fleming

Who wants another vacant title fight??

Jai Opetaia will face Mairis Briedis in a rematch of their 2022 clash. Opetaia won that evening and has stayed unbeaten since, though he had to vacate the IBF cruiserweight title last year – and is aiming to regain it here.

199.1lb for Briedis; 198.1lb for Opetaia.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:49 , Ben Fleming

“I’m used to this type of thing. I’m just buzzing,” Cacace says. “I’m just here to fight, I know he’s a good operator but I’m here to do damage.

“I’ve had two camps back-to-back so it has been a long time coming,” Cordina responds. “I came out here two weeks ago so I’m more prepared than I’ve ever been. I can’t wait to get in there.

“I just want to do me, keep winning and keep moving forward and carry the flag of Wales on my back. He knows what is coming. I’ll bring it, he will bring it and we’ll meet in the middle.”

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:44 , Ben Fleming

Getting into the big fights now and this should be a really interesting one.

Joe Cordina defends the IBF super-featherweight title against Anthony Cacace, whose IBO belt will also be on the line. It’s Wales vs Northern Ireland here.

“The Welsh Wizard” Cordina comes in at 130lb, while Belfast’s Cacace is 129lb.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:38 , Ben Fleming

Tomorrow, Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez will clash in a final eliminator to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title, held by Fury.

But don’t expect the winner of this fight to get a shot at that belt soon, necessarily; Fury and Usyk are contracted for a rematch, and the Saudis are keen to ensure no mandatory challengers prevent Fury-Usyk 2 from being for the undisputed belts.

Kabayel comes in at 238.5lb, before Sanchez tips the scales at the exact same weight.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:33 , Ben Fleming

And we’re back underway as the cruiserweights take to the stage now: Sergey Kovalev and Robin Sirwan Safar.

194.1lb for Safar; 194.2lb for former world champion Kovalev. Very close to each other in weight.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:32 , Ben Fleming

A slight break in the weigh-ins as Ryan Garcia makes an appearance. The American, 25, is currently awaiting the B-sample from his recent failed drug test.

Garcia dropped Devin Haney three times en route to a decision win in April, after missing weight by three pounds.

That cost Garcia the chance to take Haney’s WBC super-lightweight belt, and it was later revealed that he failed two pre-fight drug tests.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:25 , Ben Fleming

Next up on the scales are the lightweights, Mark Chamberlain and Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab.

Britain’s Chamberlain – one of Turki Al-Sheikh’s favourite fighters - comes in at 134.2lb.

Wahab weighs in at 132.1lb. They’re good to go!

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:21 , Ben Fleming

Yet another vacant belt will be contested as Ilja Mezencev faces Moses Itauma for the WBO Intercontinental heavyweight belt.

Itauma, a young and unbeaten Briton, was one of Indy Sport’s athletes to watch in 2024. He’s already raced to an impressive 22-0 record and tips the scales at 239.1lb.

Mezencev, meanwhile, comes in at 232.1lb.

Tyson Fury nutritionist reveals secret to body transformation for Oleksandr Usyk fight

Friday 17 May 2024 18:18 , Alex Pattle

“He’ll be 18.9st, 18.10st (264lb),” Tyson Fury’s nutritionist, Greg Marriott, told Sky Sports at Thursday’s press conference.

“I’ve been with him since November, I was the first person to go in with him; I’ve been in camp with him for six months. Obviously we didn’t expect the cut [above Fury’s eye, which delayed the fight in February], but it was a blessing in disguise really. We had more time.

“I just said, ‘Listen, we need to get some fat off you,’ so we went out to Jeddah in November and did a fat-loss camp for six weeks, then got into serious training.

“Listen, he’s telling me himself, he’s never gonna be body beautiful. It’s not about that.”

More here:

Tyson Fury nutritionist reveals secret to body transformation for Usyk fight

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:18 , Ben Fleming

Another vacant title is up for grabs between the next two boxers.

David Nyika and Michael Seitz will vie for the IBF International cruiserweight belt.

198.5lb for Seitz. Nyika comes in at 198.1lb. All good thus far.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in results

Friday 17 May 2024 18:14 , Ben Fleming

Next to the stage are Daniel Lapin and Octavio Pudivitr.

The vacant WBA Intercontinental light-heavyweight title will be on the line in their fight tomorrow.

Pudivitr tips the scales at 173.7lb, before Lapin comes in at 174.7lb. They’re both good for their contest!

And we’re underway

Friday 17 May 2024 18:11 , Ben Fleming

First up is the featherweight clash between Isaac Lowe and Hasibullah Ahmadi.

Fury’s teammate Lowe and Afghanistan’s Ahmadi are both on point - 127.7lb for Ahmadi, 125.5lb for Lowe.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Weigh-in

Friday 17 May 2024 18:06 , Alex Pattle

The weigh-in is under way! The first undercard fighters should take to the stage soon.

For reference, Fury weighed in at 277.7Ibs (126kg) for his last fight, his narrow decision win over Francis Ngannou in October. It must be said, the Briton looks in MUCH better shape this time around, and he is thought to be significantly lighter.

Fury’s weight against Ngannou was his heaviest ever career weight, just ahead of his weight for his third and final fight with Deontay Wilder, when the Briton weighed in at 277lbs.

Usyk tipped the scales at 220.9lbs (100.2kg) for his last fight, his stoppage of Daniel Dubois in August – the Ukrainian’s fifth fight since moving from cruiserweight to heavyweight in 2019.

Usyk’s career-heaviest weight is around 221.5lbs, which he reached in his two wins over Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022.

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Who is fighting on the undercard?

Friday 17 May 2024 17:57 , Alex Pattle

Here is Saturday’s fight card in full, subject to late changes:

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles)

Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis 2 (vacant IBF cruiserweight title)

Joe Cordina (C) vs Anthony Cacace (IBF super-featherweight title)

Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez (heavyweight)

Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar (cruiserweight)

Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab (lightweight)

Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi (featherweight)

Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mezencev (heavyweight)

David Nyika vs Michael Seitz (cruiserweight)

Daniel Lapin vs Octavio Pudivitr (light-heavyweight)

Fury vs Usyk undercard: Who else is fighting before undisputed title bout?

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: How will the purse be split in the main event?

Friday 17 May 2024 17:48 , Alex Pattle

Reports suggest that Fury is contracted to earn around 70 per cent of a total purse thought to be worth around $150m (£116m), with a clause stating Fury must donate £1m of his earnings to Ukraine amid its ongoing war against Russia.

While the final figure will not be known until after the fight, Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum has claimed that his fighter will earn more than $100m (£78m) from the showdown.

“If you told Tyson Fury he’s set to make $100m, he’d really get p***ed off because he thinks, and I think he’s right, that he’s going to make a lot more,” said Arum. “I don’t know the number, but it’s a lot more than $100m.”

Fury vs Usyk prize money: How will purse be split in undisputed title fight?

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Main event a pick’em with the oddsmakers

Friday 17 May 2024 17:28 , Alex Pattle

Here are Betway’s odds for Saturday’s main event – a pick’em...

Fury – 10/11

Usyk – 10/11

Draw – 16/1

Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: What time does fight start tomorrow?

Friday 17 May 2024 17:05 , Alex Pattle

Fury vs Usyk is set to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The main card is due to begin at 5pm BST (9am PT / 11pm CT / 12pm ET), with main-event ring walks following at around 11pm BST (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET).

How to watch Fury vs Usyk: UK start time, TV channel, stream and PPV price

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: How to watch fight this weekend

Friday 17 May 2024 16:40 , Alex Pattle

In an unprecedented move, Fury vs Usyk will air live on DAZN, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office in the UK. The event will be on pay-per-view on each platform, with DAZN also broadcasting the fight card worldwide.

The fight card will cost £24.95 on Sky Sports and £24.99 on TNT. A TNT subscription is not required to purchase the broadcaster’s pay-per-view. DAZN has priced the event at £24.99 for new subscribers (who will also receive a free month’s subscription for that fee) and £23.99 for existing customers.

Purchase a subscription to DAZN here, with plans starting at £9.99 a month. We may earn commission from this link, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

How to watch Fury vs Usyk: UK start time, TV channel, stream and PPV price

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: The fighters’ most-recent performances

Friday 17 May 2024 16:17 , Alex Pattle

Fury last boxed in October, surviving a major scare against Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou, a former UFC champion, was making his boxing debut, but the mixed martial artist dropped Fury early in the fight...

Fury recovered and made it to the final bell, winning a controversial decision. It is worth noting that Fury’s WBC title was not on the line in that bout in Riyadh.

That fight came two months after Usyk’s last fight, which took place in Poland and saw the unified champ beat Daniel Dubois.

Like Fury, Usyk had to climb off the canvas, but in this case it was due to a body shot that was ruled a low blow. Usyk fought back and stopped Dubois later in the fight, retaining his belts.

Oleksandr Usyk reveals mother’s chilling threat to Tyson Fury

Friday 17 May 2024 15:50 , Alex Pattle

Oleksandr Usyk has revealed his mother’s anger at Tyson Fury after the Briton shoved him at a pre-fight press conference last year, saying she wanted to ‘kill’ the “Gypsy King”.

At a November face-off in London, Fury shoved Usyk – a move that infuriated the Ukrainian’s mother, Usyk has revealed.

“Mama is angry all the time, a little bit,” the 37-year-old told Boxing King Media on Sunday.

“‘Hey, why did this man push you? What did this man say to you?’ I said: ‘Mum, it’s a show, it’s just a show. Please relax.’

“[She said:] ‘Listen, if this man pushes you, I’ll kill [him].’”

More here:

Oleksandr Usyk reveals mother’s chilling threat to Tyson Fury

Saudis provide major update on Joshua’s next opponent and Fury vs Usyk 2 date

Friday 17 May 2024 15:17 , Alex Pattle

So, what happens after Saturday night, after Fury and Usyk have finished their fight?

Well, the pair are contracted for a rematch, which is also expected to take place in Riyadh.

But when will that bout happen? And how does Anthony Joshua, who is in Riyadh this week, factor into things?

Here’s all you need to know:

Saudis provide major update on Joshua’s next opponent and Fury vs Usyk 2 date

Fury cut not properly healed and an advantage for Usyk – rivals

Friday 17 May 2024 14:40 , Alex Pattle

Some interesting theories on Fury’s cut here, from David Haye – who was once supposed to box the “Gypsy King” – and Derek Chisora, whom Fury boxed and beat thrice.

Here’s what the Britons had to say:

Tyson Fury cut not properly healed and an advantage for Oleksandr Usyk – rivals

Eddie Hearn predicts knockout finish to Fury vs Usyk

Friday 17 May 2024 14:07 , Alex Pattle

Here’s how Eddie Hearn sees Saturday’s main event playing out...

What’s your prediction?

Eddie Hearn predicts knockout finish to Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

The unusual way Oleksandr Usyk found Tyson Fury body doubles for sparring

Friday 17 May 2024 13:30 , Alex Pattle

Oleksandr Usyk launched his own app to find sparring partners to imitate Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian revealed this week.

Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, has excelled since moving to heavyweight in 2019, but Fury is a notoriously awkward opponent – combining significant size with quick reflexes and high in-ring IQ.

As such, finding sparring partners who can imitate the “Gypsy King” is a difficult task, but Usyk’s team have revealed how he successfully navigated that challenge – with the help of an app that uses AI.

Here’s more on how that works, per the Mail:

The unusual way Oleksandr Usyk found Tyson Fury body doubles for sparring

How Ukraine’s war changed Oleksandr Usyk – and how it didn’t

Friday 17 May 2024 12:56 , Alex Pattle

As Oleksandr Usyk heard the words “and still”, he winced more than he had done under the impact of any of Anthony Joshua’s punches. While the Ukrainian’s heavy left hand was raised by the referee, his face contorted as he tried to trap the swell of tears. With his right, the world heavyweight champion reached over his head and hoisted his nation’s flag above his shoulders then dragged it down over his face – wishing to hide, for just one brief moment.

Moments later, in the refuge of his locker room in the Jeddah Superdome, an emotional Usyk was welcomed by messages from a unique set of friends and fans. “He received videos from the soldiers deep in the ground on the battlefield, who were watching his fight live on smartphones,” Usyk’s promoter and compatriot Alex Krassyuk tells The Independent, referencing their countrymen who were fighting Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces in Ukraine. “The guys on the frontline, they were sending Usyk words of support. This is something that cannot be expressed in words; the spirit he gives is motivation for the guys who are battling for the light. He is giving them incentive to live, fight for their homeland, struggle for freedom.”

Several months earlier, Usyk was standing with these very men, after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine marked the latest and most significant development in a conflict that can be traced back to 2014. Usyk, urged by the soldiers he had served alongside, eventually left the frontline in Kyiv to return to his usual battlefield: the boxing ring.

Indy Sport spoke not only to Usyk’s promoter but also Ukrainians in London, discussing the boxer’s role in the war and importance to his country...

How Ukraine’s war changed Oleksandr Usyk – and how it didn’t

‘Forget where you are on the poster, have a tear-up’: How the big fights are really made

Friday 17 May 2024 12:23 , Alex Pattle

How do 25 years pass between fights of the magnitude of an undisputed heavyweight title bout?

Making fights can be complicated for various reasons.

Indy Sport spoke to boxing promoters Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, Frank Shalom and Matchroom’s Frank Smith, who offered their insight into matchmaking – and what fans and fighters often get wrong...

‘Forget where you are on the poster’: How the biggest boxing fights are really made

Lewis vs Holyfield, the FBI, and a 25-year wait for an undisputed heavyweight title fight

Friday 17 May 2024 11:50 , Alex Pattle

On that note, about 25 years having passed since the last undisputed heavyweight title fight...

Here is Steve Bunce on the historic clash between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield in 1999, which saw Lewis become undisputed.

Lewis and Holyfield sat next to each other at Thursday’s press conference in Riyadh.

Lewis vs Holyfield, the FBI, and a 25-year wait for undisputed

Conspiracies, cuts, collapses: The treacherous road to Fury vs Usyk

Friday 17 May 2024 11:20 , Alex Pattle

Speaking of cuts and blood, it was a laceration over Tyson Fury’s eye that delayed Saturday’s fight in the first place.

Fury and Usyk were due to clash in February, after almost a year of on-and-off negotiations, but the Briton’s cut derailed the bout on two weeks’ notice.

And there have been plenty of other reasons why Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight title fight has taken so long to come together – and why it has been 25 years since the last one...

Here’s the story of Fury vs Usyk:

Conspiracies, cuts and collapses: The treacherous road to Fury vs Usyk

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: What has gone down on fight week?

Friday 17 May 2024 10:45 , Alex Pattle

So, Thursday’s press conference was drama-free, but Monday delivered on that front, with Fury’s dad John headbutting one of Usyk’s teammates...

Usyk’s teammate seemed unfazed by the blow, while the elder Fury walked away with blood dripping down his forehead. A strange scene, and not one we needed so close to the biggest fight of the century.

Here’s what John Fury had to say for himself after that incident:

Tyson Fury’s dad apologises after headbutting Oleksandr Usyk team member

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Thursday’s post-press conference face-off

Friday 17 May 2024 10:15 , Alex Pattle

At the face-off at the end of Thursday’s press conference, Fury refused to look at Usyk, who stared down the bigger man...

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: What was said at Thursday’s press conference?

Friday 17 May 2024 09:45 , Alex Pattle

“Hi, everybody, I am happy to be here,” Usyk said, after his promoter Alex Krassyuk had quoted some poetry by Henry Longfellow.

“I’m excited, I’m grateful for his excellency Mr Turki Al-Sheikh, who made this fight happen. Let’s make history. Enough. Thank you so much.”

If any locals cheered, they were drowned out by a group of Ukrainian voices, supporting the Olympic champion.

Usyk also appeared to be scribbling something, which he referred to as his “homework”, revealing no more.

Then it was Fury’s turn. “I’m gonna make this short and simple,” said the Briton. “I want to thank God for the victory that I’ve received already, and I want to thank everybody involved in putting this massive event on. I want to thank Usyk for turning up and challenging me, and that’s about it.

“Thank you to all the fans who travelled over to see me, because I know it’s tough times at the moment and money is hard, so I aim to put on a show. Thank you very much, God bless. I’m ready, I’ve got nothing to say except I’m ready for a good fight – and if it’s tough or easy, I’ll be ready either way.”

This time, there were British cheers in BLVD City. To the left of the stage, there was the green glow of a Starbucks sign and the pink and orange hue from a Dunkin’ Donuts logo.

Pressed for a final message to Usyk, Fury said: “God bless him, and I’ll say a prayer for him before we both walk out, that we both get out the ring in one piece and go home to our families, because that’s what it’s about.”

Usyk’s final message for the “Gypsy King”? “Let your hands talk in the ring.”

All neon, no buzz? How Riyadh is reacting to Fury vs Usyk fight week

Friday 17 May 2024 09:17 , Alex Pattle

Let’s start the build to today’s weigh-in with a piece from last night’s press conference...

“This week, as Fury vs Usyk approaches, the days are taking place at night in Riyadh. And they are taking place at an amusement park full of operational but empty rides, in front of a smattering of curious and surprised Riyadh locals. Truthfully, so far, fight week has offered plenty of neon, but what about the buzz?

“Even employees within BLVD City, the area hosting the pre-fight events on the outskirts of town, had to ask what was going on as they pointed to the press-conference stage. ‘Is this boxing or UFC?’ one said. The UFC is visiting Riyadh, yes, but not for another month.

“‘I don’t know about the boxing, but I do like football,’ one taxi driver told The Independent. And so the conversation turned to Al Nassr FC, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the like. Another seemed vaguely aware of the fight, saying with a hint of hesitance and an ever-raising eyebrow: ‘The British guy... and the Ukrainian guy?’

“So, when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk clash on Saturday night, the eyes of the sporting world will hone in on the ring in Riyadh, but the city itself may only catch the action in its peripheral vision.”

Full article:

All neon, no buzz? How Riyadh is reacting to Fury vs Usyk fight week

Fury vs Usyk LIVE: Latest fight news and weigh-in updates

Friday 17 May 2024 08:57 , Alex Pattle

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will tip the scales at a weigh-in today, two days before their undisputed heavyweight title fight in Riyadh.

On Saturday, WBC champion Fury and unified title holder Usyk will clash to crown the division’s first undisputed king in 24 years. And fight week in Saudi Arabia has already provided drama, with Fury’s father John headbutting one of Usyk’s teammates on Monday.

Thankfully that incident has not threatened Saturday’s main event, which was delayed by three months when Tyson suffered a cut over his eye in February.

The bout is now closer than ever, with Briton Fury and Ukraine’s Usyk appearing at a press conference on Thursday – where little was said from either man, in all honesty – and the weigh-in marks the final face-off before the first bell.