Oleksandr Usyk STUNS Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight world champion – LIVE UPDATES

Fury vs Usyk – Round 9

Momentum in this fight is slowly moving towards Usyk as he comes out for the ninth with a fresher spring in his step.

Both fighters are tussling for the space in the centre with Usyk following Fury and landing.

His heavier British opponent is keeping the range between them to reduce the power.

BIG LEFT HAND FOR USYK AND FURY IS OUT ON HIS FEET! 

HE'S STAGGERING EVERYWHERE AND IS BEING HELD UP BY THE ROPES!

Fury vs Usyk – Round 8

Usyk sensing that he needs to offer something different gets a second-wind with a quick-fire assault at the start of the round.

He keeps Fury in the corner before a rapid combination to the head momentarily stuns the WBC king.

Usyk fails to capitalise though and shows some frustration as he steps away and points to the shorts. Nothing in it from the ref once more.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 7

Into the second-half of an absorbing fight and Fury has recognised how to work down the man across from him.

A left, right and another uppercut finds its mark and the Gypsy King then wraps Usyk up to put his full weight on the Cat's shoulders.

Usyk is known for his fight IQ and he needs to figure out a way fast to adjust his strategy here because this one is slipping away from him.

He offers a reminder of the threat he poses with an overhand left near the bell but he's too tired to press his advantage.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 6

Another strong round from the WBC champion as Fury rocks Usyk with a swinging right hook to the body.

The Brit moves in and lands an uppercut to put his rival on the ropes.

Usyk has to play defence as he allows Fury to gain control of the centre and keep out of range to regain his composure.

The Ukrainian is starting to bleed from the nose and Fury is relishing how this fight is playing out.

He sticks out a tongue to the crowd as the bell rings.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 5

Good work from the Gypsy King as he lands a left hook to the body and follows it up with a sweet uppercut.

Usyk may have just been winded by that blow slightly and Fury seemingly senses it as he goes on the front foot for the first time.

The Cat slows down his relentless pressure to catch his breath and then complains that Fury landed low.

But referee Mark Nelson allows the action to continue.

Usyk had the marginal gains in the opening rounds but the last two seem very much like Fury has been asserting his control.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 4

A sense of urgency from Usyk is keeping the pressure on Fury as a good combination has the latter constantly on the move.

The Gypsy King responds with a right jab that he follows with the left to catch the Cat on the chin.

That combination brings out the vintage Fury grin with his hands briefly behind his back taunt.

Usyk finds a way through with a left over the top - he's looking to see if he can open up that eye that Fury badly cut in February.

More of the same as the bell rings to signal the end of the fourth, the volume of punches coming from Usyk but Fury having more success.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 3

A lot was made out of Usyk's perceived weakness to the body coming into this bout but he's withstood all that Fury has thrown there so far.

In response to the end of the second round, the Cat comes steaming out bidding to regain his earlier momentum.

However, Fury has settled into a natural groove on the outside and leading with his jab.

An approach much more akin to vintage Fury rather than the aggressive style he adopted for his second and third bouts with Wilder and the crossover event against Ngannou.

Usyk does manage to close the distance towards the bell and the Brit responds by wrapping the pair up in a clinch.

Usyk complains that Fury caught him with a blow to the back of the head as the two separated.

Fury vs Usyk – Round 2

Fury was probably edging that first round until the final 10/15 seconds when he was caught with Usyk's overhand right.

Buoyed by his momentum the Ukrainian comes out for the second strong and lands another punch that backs Fury against the ropes.

Usyk is controlling the early pace as the action heads to the corner - Fury drops the shoulder and delivers an uppercut.

A quick recap so far; Fury is throwing more, but Usyk is landing more.

The Gypsy King does manage to land a big uppercut at the end of the round that leaves him with a huge smile.

Fury vs Usyk - Round 1

Fury races out to claim the centre of the ring but Usyk doesn't give it up easily as the two fighters look to feel each other out.

The Gypsy King much has the longer reach and as the heavier fighter is opting to stay on the outside before popping his jab.

Usyk naturally is bidding to close the distance but will have to watch out for that overhand right hand.

The Cat targets the body as he pressures Fury into the corner - the latter responds by taunting his rival by showing off to the crowd.

A decent overhand right catches Fury with ten seconds left of the bell - the first serious blow of the fight!

Time for the first bell!

Michael Buffer is now announcing the fighters...

“Let’s get ready to rumble!”

National anthem time

A rousing rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem booms out before it's time for God Save the King.

Fury has slowed down his antics since getting in between the ropes, he now looks much more focused as Buffer takes up the microphone.

Fury looks confident

The Gypsy King comes strolling out to Barry White's You Are The First, the Last, my Everything!

He shows off some dance moves for the crowd before the music switches to I Need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler.

Fury vs Usyk

No nonsense entrance from 'the Cat' as he wears some traditional clothing with a fur hat on his way into the ring.

His team are holding all of his five belts aloft for him as Usyk heads to his corner to get his fighting face on. Fury next...

Usyk makes his ring-walk

JID. is now off the stage after his trio of songs and it seems Saudi Arabian organisers will finally let the main-event commence.

Here comes Usyk...

Musical interlude

It's 1:26am in Riyadh Saudi Arabia - not sure how much the audience in attendance are in the mood for American rapper JID.

The 33-year-old is performing a medley of his top songs on a stage which has been placed above the ring...

McGregor: 'Usyk is a crafty, crafty boxer'

Two-time UFC champion Conor McGregor: “Usyk is a crafty, crafty boxer. If anybody can do it, maybe Usyk can do it. Tyson is also a crafty boxer, plus he has the size. Tyson is a tough man to beat in the boxing arena.”

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield added: “It can go either way. It all depends if Usyk fights the right fight.”

National anthems first

Despite assuring those in attendance that the fight would have got underway almost an hour ago, we have had another break for a musical performance...

We have just had the Saudi Arabia national anthem with the British and Ukrainian set to follow before the ring walks!

'Usyk is in better form'

George Groves believes Usyk will win the undisputed fight 'comfortably'.

"I think Usyk wins, I think he's in better form," Groves told Grosvenor Sport.

"I know people are attacking him a bit for the Dubois performance but I thought he was very, very good. Usyk was in full control and stopped him.

"Usyk will take Fury out of his comfort zone, Fury's a big unit and he carries a lot of weight and if Usyk makes him work harder than he used to then it's going to be a tough night for him.

"Usyk builds into a fight and each round he cranks it up.

"I think he's in better form, I'm going against the natural size of Fury, and I'm picking Usyk. I think he wins quite comfortably."

Sitting on the fence

Promoter Hearn was originally siding with Fury, then Usyk, but seems to be changing his mind every day!

Last month, the Matchroom Boxing chief told talkSPORT: "I saw a video of Usyk the other day, he looks in tremendous shape. My pick's going backwards and forwards. I went with Fury, now I'm with Usyk."

This week, though, he has edged back towards Fury to get the job done and look to set up an all-British mega showdown with his fighter Joshua.

He said to TNT Sports: “I’ve spoken to a few people in the Tyson Fury camp and they feel very confident that it’s been the best camp ever; he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in.

“I feel like if he is, he wins on Saturday night. But it’s how the fight plays out. The fact that he’s come in light; I think he’s going to be looking to move a lot and box off the back foot.

"Im now confusing myself, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to go Fury [on] points. For a number of reasons: backing the Brit, wanting him to fight AJ [Anthony Joshua], and I do think the bigger man in this situation should win, but you can’t rule out Usyk, cold as they come. Emotionless.”

'LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!'

Iconic ring announcer Michael Buffer is gearing up to take over the microphone duties to call the main-event.

ARE YOU READY?!

Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in a historic bout NEXT.

Both fighters are aiming to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis over two decades ago.

Blood, sweat, and tears

Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis engaged in a blood-soaked battle on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.

The two men rematched in an IBF cruiserweight world title fight which caught fire late.

Blood covers ringside commentary table during Opetaia and Briedis fight

'I want the winner of Billam-Smith and Riakporhe'

IBF and Ring magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia to DAZN: "Shout out to my family. Briedis, I'm honoured to share a ring with him. He's a tough dude. I take my hat off to him.

"We knew we were in for a tough fight, we were ready for 12 rounds of war and that's what we got. I knew he would come home strong.

"It rocked me when he headbutted my nose. I broke his nose and he broke mine.

"I want the WBO next, I want the winner of Billam-Smith and Riakporhe.

"I'm not that happy with my performance, I can do better. We'll go back and we'll improve."

Opetaia: 'I take my hat off to him'

Opetaia confirms a headbutt from Briedis has broken his nose.

“I take my hat off to him,” says the Australian to DAZN. “We knew we were in for a tough fight, 12 rounds of war, that’s what we got.

“I knew he would come home strong. He rocked me a bit. We stayed smart, kept boxing, and won the fight. I want the WBO next, the winner of Okolie v Billam-Smith.”