Usyk vs Fury 2 LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury renew their rivalry tonight in a colossal heavyweight title rematch in Riyadh. Two of boxing’s biggest names do it all again, seven months on from their classic first encounter in which both men had success and Fury was almost stopped before he lost a close split decision on the judges’ scorecards to make Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
While he quickly gave up that title and the IBF belt, he remains arguably the number one fighter on the planet and will be looking to repeat his performance from May, when he inflicted the first professional defeat of Fury’s career. The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’, meanwhile, will have his eyes firmly fixed on revenge and a third reign as world heavyweight champion, with another loss likely to lead to questions over a possible retirement.
More exciting British heavyweights compete on an intriguing undercard, with Moses Itauma facing Demsey McKean and Johnny Fisher edging Dave Allen in controversial fashion. Ishmael Davis retired on his stool after Lee McGregor beat Isaac Lowe and Peter McGrail defeated Rhys Edwards following early wins for Mohammed Alakel and Andrii Novytskyi. Follow Usyk vs Fury 2 live below!
Usyk vs Fury 2 latest news
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Itauma destroys McKean in first round knockout
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Davis retires after sixth round against Bohachuk
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Fisher edges Allen in controversial split decision
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McGregor dominates Lowe in featherweight battle
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Usyk vs Fury 2 prediction
Moses Itauma stops Demsey McKean in first round
21:55 , George Flood
Utterly ruthless from Moses Itauma once again!
He floors McKean once with a vicious overhand left that has the Australian wobbling all over the place.
He gets up and is allowed to continue, but the absolutely relentless Itauma hunts him down and then detonates another shuddering massive left to the temple that crumples him for the second time in the first round.
McKean’s corner have already seen enough and throw the towel.
Itauma is the real deal, make no mistake. Incredible.
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean
21:50 , George Flood
What a stage this is for Moses Itauma in the co-main event of the night.
The 19-year-old is one of the most impressive prospects in the sport of boxing, still hoping to break Mike Tyson’s long-standing record as the youngest world heavyweight champion in history.
He’s already up to 10-0 with eight knockouts, winning the WBO Inter-Continental title against Ilja Mezencev before another emphatic early stoppage to defend it against the experienced Mariusz Wach in July.
He should also take care of business against towering Australian former MMA fighter Demsey McKean, who has not fought since being stopped late by Filip Hrgovic last summer.
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean next
21:36 , George Flood
Only one fight left to come now tonight before Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2!
Formidable heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma is up against Australian veteran Demsey McKean next.
Serhii Bohachuk wins WBC interim super-welterweight title
21:33 , George Flood
So Ishmael Davis drops to 13-2 but can hold his head high after a second outing in which he stepped in at late notice.
Bohachuk is now 25-2 and becomes the interim WBC champion at super-welterweight.
He is now the mandatory challenger for the full title held by Sebastian Fundora and will likely get the winner of Fundora vs Errol Spence Jr next.
He’ll also likely want another crack at Vergil Ortiz Jr, who takes on his original opponent for tonight – Israil Madrimov – on the blockbuster Beterbiev-Bivol 2 undercard in Riyadh in February.
Ishmael Davis retires against Serhii Bohachuk
21:29 , George Flood
Davis has had enough here and he’s retired in the corner before the start of the seventh.
There was certainly a period there where it looked like he was starting to cope much better with the relentlessly heavy-handed approach of Bohachuk, but he’s been worn down and is pulled out.
Seems fair enough to me, Bohachuk is on another level and will have only gone on to inflict more damage and likely get the stoppage.
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
21:26 , George Flood
Television footage shows Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk both having their hands wrapped backstage.
Usyk looks like he’s about to fall asleep!
The tough sledding continues for Davis inside the ring, but he’s coping admirably with the solid power from Bohachuk and comes on strong himself at the end of the sixth.
Manchester United send ‘strength’ to Tyson Fury before rematch
21:23
Manchester United fan Tyson Fury receives a good luck message from the club on social media before tonight’s huge revenge mission in Riyadh…
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
21:17 , George Flood
Bohachuk is constantly walking down and applying permanent pressure on Davis, who is under the cosh all the time and having to try and fight the best he can off the back foot.
But he can’t hurt the Ukrainian or keep him off him, with Bohachuk wearing him down with those solid shots including a hell of a hook.
This looks like a real thankless task for Davis at the moment.
Bohachuk is rather relentless.
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
21:11 , George Flood
It had been a bright start from Davis, who was giving Bohachuk nothing and defending well while picking his moments to counter nicely.
But the Ukrainian comes on strong midway through the second, throwing a right to the body and then following that up immediately with a short left hook upstairs that lands flush and puts Davis down.
He gets up and survives the round, but that’s very ominous indeed.
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
21:09
This is the second time that Ishmael Davis has stepped in as a late replacement opponent, having also replaced Liam Smith to fight Josh Kelly on the Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley Stadium in September.
Kelly dominated the majority of that fight, but Davis threw caution to the wind in the final round and almost got a shock last-gasp stoppage.
That was his first defeat as a professional, with his record now 13-1.
‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk is 24-2, but is coming off that defeat by Vergil Ortiz Jr in August.
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis coming up
21:00
No time to dwell on that hugely controversial result as we move on with the penultimate fight of tonight’s undercard.
It’s a final eliminator for the WBC super-welterweight world title as Leeds’ Ishmael Davis steps up at late notice to take on Ukraine’s former interim champion Serhii Bohachuk.
Davis only took this fight earlier in December after Israil Madrimov withdrew due to bronchitis.
Johnny Fisher beats Dave Allen by split decision
20:51
To the scorecards we go once again tonight, and it’s a split decision!
95-94 Fisher, 96-93 Allen, 95-94 Fisher!
Wow, Fisher has somehow edged it despite being floored and then largely dominated in the second half of the fight – Allen looks absolutely flummoxed.
Now he will really regret not pushing harder for the knockdown and a final round that was oddly passive at times.
That will definitely cause some controversy, to say the least.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:48 , George Flood
An exhausted Fisher tries to muster some strength to finish strong and does land a couple of big shots in the 10th to his credit, a straight right hand detonating flush.
Allen perhaps lacks the reserves necessary to finish the job as a gruelling final three minutes is ended by the bell.
An amazing display from Allen, who surely wins with the knockdown.
But it won’t be as close as he might hope with Fisher’s start and probably should have pushed harder for the stoppage.
Allen down on his knees after a tiring effort.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:45 , George Flood
Fisher is completely done here and only sheer willpower is keeping him on his feet.
He could have easily gone down there again a couple of times in another one-sided round, Allen continuing to dish out the significant punishment with that huge right hand.
You wonder if the corner have considered calling this, but he did win those first four rounds and doesn’t look like he is going to be stopped.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:39 , George Flood
This is superb stuff from Allen, and, I’ll admit, far more than I thought him capable of.
He was always going to be a test for Fisher, sure, but this is just incredible.
He is finding the mark with that bruising right hand time and time again, while another spiteful left to the temple buzzes Fisher again.
Fisher just can’t avoid any of these massive shots.
He won the first four rounds, but Fisher has lost them all since then heading into the ninth.
Two to go. Can Allen finish this off?
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:34 , George Flood
This is now the very definition of a heavyweight slugfest!
Fisher is bloodied and dazed and still eating some big right hands from Allen – overhands and a couple of smashing uppercuts.
A clubbing left to the temple also knocks him off balance.
He really needs to dig deep here.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:31 , George Flood
Johnny Fisher is knocked down for the first time in his career…
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:29 , George Flood
What a round as Fisher hits the canvas for the first time as a professional.
It was a huge left hook that landed flush to put him down.
He was so unsteady and went over again while off balance, with Allen itching to send in the knockout blow.
There was almost two minutes still left in the round, with Fisher doing well to try and come back firing and inflict some damage in return on Allen.
This is now a huge test for Fisher, the likes of which he’s not experienced before…
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:23 , George Flood
Not particularly impressive stuff from Fisher through four, but he is comfortably ahead.
However, it’s far closer and more gruelling than he would prefer.
FISHER IS DOWN EARLY IN THE FIFTH!
The Romford Bull is in huge trouble here with so much of the round still to go…
Tyson Fury arrives still sporting long beard
20:21 , George Flood
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have both now arrived at the Kingdom Arena ahead of tonight’s mammoth main event.
Fury still sporting that long beard that has caused some consternation in the Usyk camp this week.
He apparently has not been told to trim it, despite complaints from Usyk’s team.
“The beard rule is being grossly violated,” promoter Alex Krassyuk said.
“The WBC rules clearly say, ‘A boxer may espouse a trimmed beard as long as the hair thickness does not cushion or affect the impact or trajectory of punches, or cause cuts or abrasions to his rival’.
“So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:16
Allen will always bring the heart and the toughness and will always have his moments in fights when he’s the underdog.
He picks a couple of good shots in the second, but he’s taking a lot of repeated damage to the body from those long levers of the towering Fisher.
2-0 to the Romford Bull, with this contest yet to ignite.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
20:10
A solid opening round from the Romford Bull, who hurts Allen to the body and has him in danger against the ropes early on.
Allen feels one of those shots was low as he tries his best to fire back to the body himself.
Round one to Fisher, clearly.
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen next
20:05 , George Flood
It’s the ‘Romford Bull’ against the ‘White Rhino’ next in the second of our four scheduled heavyweight fights on this card.
This could be explosive fare between the British rivals, with Dave Allen a clear underdog as they compete for the vacant WBA Intercontinental strap.
We last saw the unbeaten 12-0 Johnny Fisher in July, when he stopped Alen Babic in the first round with a devastating display at the Copper Box Arena.
He is the firm favourite to see off the affable, 23-6-2 ‘Doncaster De La Hoya’ Allen, who has outpointed Jake Darnell and Amine Boucetta since retiring against Frazer Clarke last year.
Lee McGregor beats Isaac Lowe by unanimous decision
19:57 , George Flood
We go to the judges’ scorecards again, but surely no doubt about this one.
96-92, 97-91, 97-91 – all in favour of McGregor, who takes the unanimous decision to win the WBC International featherweight title.
He’s now 15-1-1 and with three straight wins after his lone defeat by Erik Robles in July 2023.
25-3-3 now for Lowe, who suffers his first defeat since the pair of losses to future world champions Luis Alberto Lopez and Nick Ball a few years ago.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:52 , George Flood
McGregor looks tired late on and may have suffered a hand injury.
Lowe tries to come on strong for the finish and lands a couple of solid shots, but this is a lost cause – especially with those two points taken off.
Both men with damage and blood on their faces as we reach the final bell.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:52 , George Flood
McGregor looks tired late on and may have suffered a hand injury.
Lowe tries to come on strong for the finish and lands a couple of solid shots, but this is a lost cause – especially with those two points taken off.
Both men with damage and blood on their faces as we reach the final bell.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:49 , George Flood
A second point off for Lowe early in the 10th as the gumshield comes out yet again…
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:47 , George Flood
The referee has been very involved in this fight and looks very annoyed as the Lowe gumshield comes out again before the bell in the ninth.
Just one point off for now.
Into the final round we go and Lowe most definitely need a knockout to avoid only his third career defeat.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:45
Lowe won’t give this up and is still full of determination, trying his best to take this to the inside whenever he can.
McGregor just needs to keep his wits about him here, his defence is a bit lacking at times and Lowe can hurt him if given the opportunity.
A lot of blood around the right eye of Lowe, who is having a point taken off here after his gumshield comes flying out once more.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:42 , George Flood
Another round in the bag for McGregor in the seventh.
Lowe is very frustrated now, he’s unable to hurt McGregor and being bested by his rival in nearly every facet.
McGregor is boxing brilliantly here, it must be said.
A very accomplished performance so far. That uppercut is such a good shot.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:36 , George Flood
McGregor is in firm control of this fight through six and looking nice and sharp, his uppercut proving a real weapon there.
McGregor fighting well at distance and also still having the better of those gruelling exchanges on the inside.
Some frustration from Lowe, who is being outworked, outthought and outboxed at the moment.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:32 , George Flood
Another strong round from McGregor in the fifth as we reach the halfway stage of this featherweight bout.
He’s showing a good variety of shots and landing well to both body and head at range and on the inside, dictating the pace for the most part.
We have come close to a clash of heads on several occasions already here and now Lowe has been cut near his right eye.
The referee reads both men the riot act.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:27 , George Flood
This is becoming an exhausting battle on the inside, with both men trying furiously to batter the body where possible.
I think McGregor did it better there in the fourth, slamming in some energy-sapping shots behind the elbow with those bright white gloves.
I have the Scot ahead 3-1 through four.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:24 , George Flood
A gruelling first few rounds in this featherweight clash, which is also scheduled for 10.
The better punches from range are coming from McGregor no question, but Lowe is having success roughing him up and digging in on the frequent occasions that this scrap has gone to the inside.
But McGregor is also able to work the body well on the inside.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:19 , George Flood
Another high-octane round in the second as the shots continues to fly in flurries, much like we just witnessed between McGrail and Edwards.
The better and more authoritative work is probably just being done by McGregor there, he’s made a confident start.
But Lowe is having his own success on the inside. Another close contest brewing.
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:15 , George Flood
This fight picks up where McGrail vs Edwards left off with a belting opening round, McGregor starting strong and landing a peach of a left hook.
But the durable Lowe isn’t fazed and quickly comes firing back, letting his own left fly in a flurry of early action.
This is gonna be another cracker…
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:14 , George Flood
These two featherweight rivals were originally supposed to meet in December last year, with the WBO European title on the line.
However, former British, Commonwealth and European champion McGregor was forced to pull out with a torn muscle in his forearm.
He had just been beaten for the first time by Erik Robles, but has since returned this year with early wins in Scotland over Jorge Moya and Deiner Polo.
‘Westgate Warrior’ Lowe – from Morecambe, like Fury – outpointed Hasibullah Ahmadi on the first Fury vs Usyk undercard back in May.
No shortage of needle between this pair this week as they went head to head at the weigh-in yesterday…
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
19:07 , George Flood
One of Tyson Fury’s closest friends and training partners is in action next, Isaac Lowe finally taking on Lee McGregor in a delayed bout for the vacant WBC International featherweight title.
This is a fight long in the making…
19:05
Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom feels Rhys Edwards won that fight against Peter McGrail…
Rhys had the cleaner shots throughout. Crazy to think what he’d have done with preparation. Great fight.
— Ben Shalom (@benjshalom) December 21, 2024
Peter McGrail beats Rhys Edwards by unanimous decision
18:58 , George Flood
McGrail gets it!
Two judges have it 96-94, while the other scores it 96-95. Unanimous decision for the Liverpool man.
Hard to argue with those cards as McGrail moves to 11-1 with his third straight victory since that first professional loss to Ja’Rico O’Quinn in America 12 months ago.
Edwards still looks delighted with his performance despite the result, and rightly so.
The first loss of his professional career drops him to 16-1, but he will have greatly enhanced his reputation tonight with such a quality display in a fight he only took on a few days’ notice.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:55
Both men dig deep in an enthralling final round of this brilliant contest.
The blood is back pouring from that McGrail cut as they stand and trade furiously in the middle of the ring before the last bell sounds.
I think McGrail has done enough to just take this on the cards, but what a fantastic effort from Edwards at such short notice.
You wonder how much his strong finish might have swayed the judges.
To the scorecards we go once more…
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:51 , George Flood
Another cracker in the ninth!
Yet again both men have their moments in a captivating three minutes, McGrail initially the aggressor and landing well but then forced back by a fierce response from Edwards.
You can’t take your eyes off this, McGrail takes a wincing shot to the body before the bell.
That’s probably enough to shade the penultimate round for Edwards.
Can he finish strong in the 10th and possibly nick this, having only taken the fight on a few days’ notice?
It must be so close on the cards…
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:47
After a close seventh, there is more quality action in the eighth as McGrail lands a couple of solid right hooks.
But Edwards digs back and shows his own quality in what remains a rip-roaring contest.
I don’t envy the judges scoring this. I have McGrail ahead, but Edwards has shown plenty.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:41 , George Flood
Nip-and-tuck stuff again in another high-tempo round in the sixth, but McGrail has successfully re-established some authority in the last six minutes after his lively first was followed by a decent Edwards response in the second, third and fourth.
McGrail seemingly unbothered by that cut, which is being patched up well in the corner.
Both of these men have impressive hand speed and switch up their attacks in a flash to head and body.
Plenty of shots in the locker for both, though McGrail is frequently the busier and just landing more to catch the eye at the moment.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:37 , George Flood
A slight slowing of that frantic pace in the fifth, with McGrail having some notable success on the counter.
It’s high-quality stuff from both still, punches are flying constantly in high volume with preciously little respite.
Little to choose between them in truth at the halfway stage, though I’d probably have it 3-2 to McGrail.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:34
It’s not ideal that cut for McGrail, but it is at least far away enough that the blood is running down his right cheek rather than into his eye.
This is entertaining stuff through four, Edwards coming on strong after McGrail’s lively start and trying to take centre ring where possible.
Both men are having success with some strong shots, counters and combinations.
Tough fight to score.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:25 , George Flood
Great work rate and tempo from both fighters here in what has been a fizzing, lively contest so far.
McGrail is on top, landing more and better punches and having the best of a lot of these furious close-range exchanges, though Edwards continues to sneak in a few sharp counters.
Oh that’s a nasty clash of heads and a bad cut has opened up near McGrail’s right eye.
Edwards then slips over but no knockdown.
Work for McGrail’s cutman to do in between rounds.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:21
McGrail so positive early on, constantly on the attack and letting the shots fly in bunches.
He clubs in a big right upstairs from a wide stance and is always on the front foot, peppering Edwards with plenty of punches.
A couple of nice counters in there from Edwards, though.
A very watchable contest so far through the first couple of rounds.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:18 , George Flood
Here we go!
Can the 16-0 Edwards – normally a featherweight – make the most of this big chance after beating Thomas Patrick Ward on the Jessica McCaskill vs Lauren Price undercard back in May?
McGrail, meanwhile, is still on the comeback trail after his first loss to American Ja’Rico O’Quinn in Arizona last December, having outpointed Mark Leach and stopped Brad Foster since then.
A lively, energetic start from McGrail, who is nice and busy and on the front foot.
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
18:15 , George Flood
To the British super-featherweights now in Riyadh.
Liverpool’s Commonwealth Games gold medalist Peter McGrail is in his 12th professional bout against undefeated Welshman Rhys Edwards.
Edwards took this fight on just days’ notice after McGrail’s original opponent, Dennis McCann, returned an adverse result in a pre-fight VADA test.
He had been due to meet Leon Woodstock in Sheffield in January, so has been in camp.
Daniel Lapin beats Dylan Colin by unanimous decision
18:07 , George Flood
Two judges score the bout 99-91 for Lapin, with a third giving it to him 100-90.
He remains unbeaten as he moves onto 11-0.
He’s now both the IBF International and WBA Intercontinental light-heavyweight champion.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
18:06 , George Flood
No late fireworks in this one either and we go the distance for the third time in three fights on this undercard in Riyadh.
This will be a very comfortable win for Daniel Lapin on the cards.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
18:03
Into the final round we go.
Lapin will be miles ahead on the cards, without threatening a stoppage save for that early punch seconds into the fight and that short right hook in the ninth.
Colin is being outclassed, though hasn’t lacked heart and effort throughout.
He’ll need a miracle to avoid his first professional defeat.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:58
A lovely shot from Lapin early in round eight rocks Colin, who does well to ride it and not hit the canvas.
It was a short, sharp little right hook to the temple, timed to perfection by Lapin as the Frenchman was coming in low and trying to swing up through on the attack.
He looked scrambled for a second there, before then getting his bearings again.
Lapin doesn’t jump on him though, cruising through the rest of the round comfortably with some good counters and content not to overexert himself.
He’s putting all these rounds safely in the bag without really pushing himself.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:52 , George Flood
More intent from Lapin in the seventh, improving his intensity, work rate and punch volume.
He’s countering any brief success from Colin with interest, jabbing well and connecting with those long looping shots.
Some strong combinations and another decent finish to the round.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:47
A bit disappointed in Lapin’s drop in intensity here since that excellent start.
He’s clearly the superior fighter and doing the far better and cleaner work, but he’s let Colin into the fight when I think another statement early knockout could definitely have been on the cards.
Colin again starts the sixth with another injection of pace, but Lapin counters crisply with a hook that has the Frenchman off balance and nearly down.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:40 , George Flood
This contest has long since settled down through three after that rather ominous start for Colin.
The Frenchman quickly got his wits back about him and is trying to engineer his way onto the inside in the fourth as he ups the pace, but it’s far easier said than done with those long arms and looping shots from Lapin.
Not many fans inside the Kingdom Arena just yet, though a small Ukrainian contingent are chanting for Lapin now.
Usyk vs Fury weigh-in lacks spark after intense face-off
17:37
There was a real lack of drama at yesterday’s weigh-in, with no repeat of the intense staredown that followed the final press conference on Thursday evening and lasted almost a staggering 12 minutes.
This time Tyson Fury turned away within seconds and then did not speak to the media afterwards, while Oleksandr Usyk simply said “nothing” when quizzed on what he was feeling during their final face-off.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:32 , George Flood
Lapin, a training partner of Usyk’s, remains the clear aggressor through two here after hurting Colin within seconds.
He’s got a lot of eye-catching long shots in the arsenal, good power and a huge reach at 6ft 6ins.
Turki Alalshikh is at ringside now taking in the action.
Frank Warren predicts explosive Tyson Fury knockout
17:30 , George Flood
Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren doesn’t see tonight’s huge main event going the distance for a second time.
The Queensberry chief is predicting an explosive encounter that will finish with a ‘Gypsy King’ knockout.
“It’s going to be a war. That’s what it is,” Warren said on Friday after a focused Fury had declined to give final interviews after the weigh-in.
“Tyson has come to get those titles back, that’s what he’s here for, that’s what he’s sacrificed a lot for and that’s what I believe will happen.
“You can analyse it how you like, the fact of that matter is we’re going to find out who is the best.
“And you know both of them are coming to fight. It’s going to be exciting. When that first bell goes they’re gong to get down to it and you’ll see something extra, extra special.
“In my opinion it will (finish inside the distance) – in Tyson’s favour.”
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
17:26
Underway in this latest 10-rounder after a late switch of referee, with John Latham now overseeing the action.
An ominous start for Colin as the huge Lapin – a giant at this weight – wobbles him within seconds of the first bell…
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin coming up
17:24 , George Flood
The early undercard action moves on swiftly at the Kingdom Arena.
It’s another unbeaten Ukrainian in the ring next as towering light-heavyweight southpaw Daniel Lapin (10-0) looks to follow up his explosive first-round knockout of Octavio Pudivitr on the first Usyk-Fury card against Dylan Colin of France.
Colin is also undefeated at 14-0, though this is his first fight in more than a year.
Andrii Novytskyi beats Edgar Ramirez by unanimous decision
17:16 , George Flood
The scorecards are in:
100-90 x2, 98-92 – all in favour of Novytskyi, who wins by unanimous decision after two judges give him a shutout.
He stays unbeaten, moves to 14-0 and retains his WBC International heavyweight belt.
Not an explosive performance from ‘Rampage’ by any means, but a decent learning exercise nonetheless.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
17:12 , George Flood
A strong finish to this 10-rounder from Novytskyi, who goes the distance for the third time in his last four fights but did land some decent shots in those last six minutes.
He was able to line up Ramirez a few times and sink in a few rangy punches with those long levers, attacking both head and body.
A determined effort from Ramirez, but he faded in the final few rounds and never really threatened to cause an upset.
To to the judges’ scorecards we go…
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
17:09
A much better ninth round from ‘Rampage’, who finally ups his tempo and lands some heavy, eye-catching shots.
Can he push for a late stoppage?
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
17:03
Eight rounds down now in this opening heavyweight battle, which has been attritional and competitive throughout but somewhat lacking in entertainment.
Still mostly cautious stuff from Novytskyi, who will be firmly ahead on the cards but can’t quite seem to find another gear – though there have been some half-decent three-punch combinations thrown that have found their mark.
Ramirez is still having his moments, including a couple of well-timed overhand rights to counter the Ukrainian.
It’s just all a bit too scrappy and untidy from the Mexican to really make a dent and threaten an upset, despite his obvious determination and work rate.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:56 , George Flood
Ramirez certainly isn’t the tidiest puncher you’ll ever see, in fact he’s rather wild for the most part, but again he manages to find his way inside that long reach and work the body with some energy-sapping shots as well as left hooks.
The cleaner and more eye-catching work is obviously still coming from Novytskyi, especially when he finds the target with that straight left, but this isn’t nearly as comfortable as he’d like at times through six.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:52
Ramirez is a dangerous customer when he manages to get inside that long reach of Novytskyi, looking to rough him up whenever he gets the chance.
He manages it a couple of times in the fifth, letting the shots fly from close range including that short left.
Novytskyi shrugs it all off and tries to go back to work quickly behind that long left jab, which at the moment isn’t strong enough to make Ramirez think and keep him away.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:46
A good start to the fourth round of 10 scheduled from Ramirez, catching Novytskyi with a sharp, short left uppercut on the inside.
It gives him some confidence as he rushes the Ukrainian again and continues to try and force the pace with a high tempo.
He looks vulnerable to an uppercut himself, but Novytskyi can’t quite find it during a couple of busy exchanges – though he does sink in a decent counter right hook.
You just want to see ‘Rampage’ start to move through the gears a little here, almost halfway through the fight.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:42 , George Flood
It’s all a bit tame and insipid so far from Novytskyi, throwing plenty of light left jabs early in the third but failing to set up the overhand right.
He’s not really threatened to hurt Ramirez at all yet, which is only encouraging the Mexican challenger.
Ramirez clearly lacks in power, but he’s constantly trying to be the aggressor here and ups his ambition with an attempted barrage before the bell.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:40 , George Flood
Plenty of determination from Ramirez as he continues to walk down Novytskyi, still trying to pepper the body and take the wind out of the Ukrainian.
But ‘Rampage’ is able to get those quick-fire left jabs working, trying to set up the big right.
An imposing figure with impressive posture, but Novytskyi looks a little bit robotic and stiff at times.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
16:36 , George Flood
A solid opener from Novytskyi, who strikes an imposing figure in the ring – particularly against the smaller Ramirez.
The Mexican wants to apply all the pressure and work the body, but he’s caught with a couple of stiff right hands.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez next up
16:35
Next it’s the first of four heavyweight fights on tonight’s bill.
Oleksandr Usyk’s fellow Ukrainian Andrii ‘Rampage’ Novytskyi, unbeaten at 13-0, defends his WBC International title against the 10-1-1 Edgar Ramirez of Mexico.
Novytskyi is a highly-rated talent now fighting out of Los Angeles, standing at a towering 6ft 6ins with a long reach.
Mohammed Alakel beats Joshua Ocampo to open undercard
16:25 , George Flood
The first result of the night is already in the books at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, where Saudi fighter ‘Mighty’ Mohammed Alakel has moved to 2-0 as a professional with a comfortable win over Joshua ‘El Lobo’ Ocampo.
A superb performance from the dominant Alakel, who dropped the Colombian journeyman twice en route to an emphatic unanimous decision victory.
All three judges scored the bout 60-53 in his favour.
Alakel had beaten another Colombian on the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undercard at the same venue back in October, getting his debut win by outpointing Jesus Gonzalez.
Onwards and upwards!
Fury weighs in four stone heavier than Usyk
16:20 , George Flood
Tyson Fury made headlines at last night’s weigh-in in Riyadh by tipping the scales at 281lbs – the heaviest of his career and a massive four stone heavier than Oleksandr Usyk.
However, that could yet prove a bit of a red herring with the ‘Gypsy King’ – still sporting his long beard – having weighed in fully clothed wearing a leather jacket, trousers and a hat.
There are whispers today that Fury is actually back around 273lbs, which coincidentally is what he weighed for the first Deontay Wilder fight back in February 2020.
Fury was at 262lbs for the first Usyk fight in May, with Usyk at 223lbs.
Usyk was also fully clothed on the scales at yesterday’s weigh-in and did not take off his chain as he came in at 226lbs.
Usyk vs Fury 2 running order
16:07 , George Flood
Tonight’s long undercard is already underway at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with Saudi fighter ‘Mighty’ Mohammed Alakel in just his second professional bout against Joshua ‘El Lobo’ Ocampo of Colombia.
Here’s the order for the rest of the bill:
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
Johnny Fisher vs David Allen
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean
Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2
Usyk vs Fury 2 prediction
16:03 , George Flood
Another truly fascinating heavyweight duel awaits in the Middle East tonight, with one question on the lips of every fight fan across the globe – can Tyson Fury make the changes needed to become the first fighter ever to beat Oleksandr Usyk at the second time of asking?
Both men had their success early on in the first encounter, with Fury – who was content to showboat to the crowd – then coming on strong and hurting the Ukrainian with a fierce uppercut in round six.
However, once again we saw those remarkable powers of determination, concentration and sheer durability from the ultra-skilled southpaw Usyk, who regathered himself to come roaring back in the next two rounds and then force a standing count at the bell as he went for the finish after rocking Fury in the ninth.
Much will depend on Fury’s approach to the rematch, which will produce fireworks if Fury sticks to his apparent plan to adopt far more aggressive tactics and go into “destroy mode” having said that he was too cautious last time around, also pledging to cut out the showboating.
It could all just be bravado of course, but it sounds as if Fury – who looks to be coming into this fight much heavier than in May – is planning on going in to try and force a knockout this time rather than try to outbox the peerless Usyk and leave it in the hands of the judges again, and we’ve certainly seen him switch up his approach like that to devastating effect in the past against Wilder.
Similar success can’t be ruled out here, but surely Usyk will be ready for such an onslaught and be fully prepared to punish it with blistering, powerful counters that may lead to Fury admirably going out on his shield, leading to the inevitable questions about his future in the sport.
But knocking out Fury is far easier said than done, as Wilder can attest, which may lead to earlier fireworks eventually petering out into another tense and entertaining Usyk decision win.
Usyk to win on points again.
Usyk vs Fury 2 undercard in full
15:59 , George Flood
Here is tonight’s Usyk vs Fury 2 undercard in full in Riyadh:
Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis
Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean
Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen
Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards
Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin
Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez
Mohammed Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo
How to watch Usyk vs Fury 2
15:58 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, Usyk vs Fury 2 is being shown live on DAZN pay-per-view at a cost of £24.99.
The event is also available to purchase via Sky Sports Box Office for £24.95, and on TNT Sports Box Office for £24.99.
Usyk vs Fury 2 live
15:56 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of another blockbuster night of boxing in Saudi Arabia as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury contest a highly-anticipated rematch of one of the fights of 2024.
The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ is gunning for revenge tonight back at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, where seven months ago he was edged out by split decision in a close thriller to suffer his first professional defeat as great rival Usyk became the first undisputed champion at heavyweight since the great Lennox Lewis almost 25 years ago.
Will it be revenge or repeat in the headline act of a stacked bill in the Middle East entitled ‘Reignited’, as Usyk – while no longer undisputed – puts his remaining belts and unbeaten record on the line once more?
Today’s undercard will be underway shortly in Riyadh, with main event ring walks scheduled for approximately 10:30pm GMT.
Keep it right here for live updates and results throughout the evening! This should be epic…
