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.)
Usyk v Fury 2: Serhii Bohachuk takes on Ishmael Davis in super-welterweight clash
A fairly comfortable round for Bohachuk. Has Davis’s best work come and gone already?
Davis is still showing spirit, for sure, but it’s all Bohachuk right now. The Ukrainian is constantly bearing down on Davis, whose nose is leaking blood onto his white shorts.
Into the final minute of the round, and Bohachuk is letting his hands go and really causing Davis issues with the variety of punches. Davis holds onto Bohachuk to reduce the damage.
OH! Davis’s corner throws in the towel after the round! That’s fair corner work. Davis didn’t need to keep taking damage, especially after stepping in on short notice.
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 21:21
Usyk v Fury 2: Serhii Bohachuk takes on Ishmael Davis in super-welterweight clash
So, that knockdown: Bohachuk and Davis were leaning on each other, and the Ukrainian just shoved away the Briton with his shoulder, then landed the left hook RIGHT on the nose!
Lots of pressure from Bohachuk, as is his way – but also with him understandably buoyed by the knockdown.
He closes the distance to Davis and leans on him again, before unloading hooks off both sides. It’s great work, but the crowd voices support for Davis as he rallies now!
Oh, that said, he’s cut by Bohachuk with perhaps the final punch of the round!
I wonder if Davis could benefit from going orthodox. His form is deserting him a bit, under constant pressure from Bohachuk.
Encouraging moment for Davis now, though. He’s landed some strong single shots, and he’s getting back to his combinations.
Both men land hard punches late in the round. Bohachuk’s right hand staggers Davis somewhat…
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 21:17
Usyk v Fury 2: Serhii Bohachuk takes on Ishmael Davis in super-welterweight clash
Two more fights before the main event! First up, Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk vs Britain’s Ishmael Davis, in a super-welterweight bout. Davis is stepping in for the ill Israil Madrimov.
Bohachuk is the favourite, but Davis has landed some clever, imaginative combinations early on, and he connects with one really nice right hand now!
Bohachuk does well to absorb that and keep pressing forward. Davis switches stances here and there.
Great head movement by Davis, in a southpaw stance, then a counter combination. Later, Bohachuk ties up the Briton and wears on him in the clinch.
OH! Brilliant left hook by Bohachuk, at point-blank range, and Davis goes down heavily!! He’s back up, he’s okay to continue, and there are only 20 seconds left in the round… He stays mobile and makes it to the bell!
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 21:05
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen produce gripping heavyweight scrap on undercard
We go to the judges’ scorecards, we have a split decision!
95-94 to Fisher, 96-93 to Allen, and 95-94 to your winner and now the WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion… JONNY FISHER!!!
Boos ring around the Kingdom Arena… You have to say, that is not a good decision, heartbreak for Allen.
“Nonsense,” says Sergio Mora on the broadcast. It’s a bitter moment for Allen, he surely did enough.
Jack Rathborn21 December 2024 20:48
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen produce gripping heavyweight scrap on undercard
Here we go then, a huge moment for Allen, he’s three minutes from the biggest win of his career, surely he’s up?
Both men battle into the corner, trying to work some room, this is Allen’s game though.
Huge right from Fisher as Allen begged him to exchange. Allen thumps his chest, he drops to his knees at the final bell, has he won the first belt of his career? He’s in tears. Remarkable emotion, this is what it’s all about.
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 20:42
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen produce gripping heavyweight scrap on undercard
Sergio Mora has it 66-66 on his unofficial scorecard for DAZN. A body shot from Fisher, lands clean, now Allen swings a left hook.
Both men drop their hands in the eighth, incredible, digging down low, the pace isn’t dipping though.
Fisher then brushes off the referee, that was a bit naughty.
LEFT HOOK! Allen lands a bomb, Fisher’s chin is something else though. As the bell goes, Fisher’s waist bends, he leans over the top rope.
A clubbing shot from Allen brushes the top of Fisher’s head. But back comes the younger man, one-two as Allen leads in front of him, no need to look far to find the target.
Allen then shoves Fisher down, which earns him a talking to.
A lungeing left jab from Allen as he falls in. The experience of Allen, leaning on Fisher, shoving him once more over the top rope. This is draining the energy from Fisher. UPPERCUT! “Ohhhhh,” shouts Moore in his corner. He lit a rocket for his fighter and my word has he delivered.
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 20:34
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher battles Dave Allen in heavyweight scrap on undercard
Allen wrestling with Fisher in the sixth, they’re exhausted, but if either create some space, they can finish this fight.
Fisher not able to put a dent in a gutsy Allen, who delivers a stunning left hook to stagger Fisher once more. The speed from Allen, would you believe it!?
Fisher looked hurt again, this one narrowing up on the cards with the 10-8 round, too. “Don’t miss it,” says Jamie Moore in the corner. What an opportunity for Allen to cause a huge upset.
Fisher with the check left hook, smart shot, then he skips back, a shuffle, even, which is laughable really given the previous few rounds.
What on earth are we watching? Who wants it more? A fight built on guts, desire and grit. They touch gloves at the end. Remarkable, Allen putting everything on the line.
Right uppercut, left hook in that round from Allen was sensational really, amid some messy exchanges. How did Fisher survive?
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 20:32
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher battles Dave Allen in heavyweight scrap on undercard
BOOM! Allen with a heavy, heavy shot, DOWN GOES FISHER!
This is a stunner, Fisher with a low shot, again, a truly shocking fifth round! Instead of complaining, this time he connects with a heavy, whipping hook that clocks Fisher and he tumbles.
Fisher then back to his feet, in survival mode, they’re both exhausted in there. Blood all over the face of Fisher.
It’s not high quality, but my word, Allen with a huge left hook, then two more shots just brushing the back of Fisher, luckily for him.
Jack Rathborn21 December 2024 20:23
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher battles Dave Allen in heavyweight scrap on undercard
Fisher measuring Allen by holding out a glove, then the big right comes in, many ringside shuddering as that shot bounces off the White Rhino.
But this is better from Allen, some intent, variety and making Fisher think. He’s losing the rounds, but Allen helping to make the pace respectable here. Three rounds gone and Fisher has probably won them all though.
Jack Rathborn21 December 2024 20:17
Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher battles Dave Allen in heavyweight scrap on undercard
Fisher v Allen is up next, a fun heavyweight bout between fighters at the opposite ends of their careers.
Here we go then, a real pair of characters, for the WBA Intercontinental championship.
Dave Allen aiming to test Johnny Fisher’s potential, sparring many rounds, the respect is there, but who will prevail?
Darren Barker revealing what he knows about the pair’s sparring in the gym. Just like that, hugely inexperienced move from Allen. Low from Fisher, and Allen turns to the referee with his opponent pouncing on him with a punishing combination.
Shades of Mayweather vs Ortiz there, luckily Allen didn’t clock one clean, time to regroup…
Alex Pattle21 December 2024 20:06
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