A rematch of the frontrunner for Fight of the Year arrives with unbeaten three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk meeting former champion Tyson Fury on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
BoxingScene will provide live round-by-round coverage here in what is expected to be a seminal showdown between the 37-year-old, two-division undisputed champion Usyk, 22-0 (14 KOs), of Ukraine, and the UK’s Fury, 34-1-1 (24 KOs).
The 36-year-old “Gypsy King” refused to shave his heavy beard despite a mild protest by the Usyk camp, a tactic some believe could provide some cushion from the heavy punches that dropped Fury in the ninth round of Usyk’s May 18 split decision triumph.
If the bout goes to the judges like the last one, there is some concern of the judging panel that features replacement judge Ignacio Robles of Panama alongside Pat Morley and Gerardo Martinez – not household names when it comes to major fights.
Round-by-round live results, in reverse order, will be posted below after the fight begins. (Refresh often.)
ROUND 3: Two rights to the body by Usyk. Fury hits Usyk in the back of the head. Fury paws with the jab. Usyk breaks through. Fury turns southpaw and lands his jab. Usyk showing some blood at the nose. Fury, 29-28.
ROUND 2: Usyk scores a quick left. Fury goes to the body. Fury jabs set up a right. Usyk’s eyeing the body. Good right by Fury after Usyk landed some good lefts to the body. 19-19.
ROUND 1: In jabbing poses, the pair jostle for position. Fury lobs in some lefts. Usyk charges in with a combination. Fury lands a right. Usyk lands a left. Close opener to Fury, 10-9.
INTRODUCTIONS: Powered by a live drum solo to “Eye of the Tiger,” the fans in Saudi Arabia see highlights of the first classic Usyk-Fury battle and then Michael Buffer in the ring starting the ring walks.
Fury gets creative again, entering to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You,” wearing a red-and-white robe garb and sporting a belly that the bearded Santa Claus would be proud of. Promising “pain,” “destruction” and “damage,” he vows to "annihilate" Usyk in a video.
Usyk, wearing a head covering in his native Ukraine colors of blue and gold, walks in with a determined expression and chats with his cornermen before the anthems “God Save the King,” and a Ukrainian choir performing its national song.