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

Holy moly

Evander Holyfield has broken down Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk's undisputed clash.

"Usyk actually has the advantage because he is the smaller guy, but he's also got good punching power and he has quick hands," Holyfield told the Daily Mail.

"So, he's really got more of an advantage, he's really got more. Being smaller guys too, we are in and out all of the time. We are accustomed to it.

"The big guys, they are the ones that aren't accustomed to it, but they hit a lot harder too.

"Usyk has a lot of energy. He likes working. He's one of the those guys, you just look at him and you know he is trouble.

"He has that look in his face that you know he is winning to go through anything.

"He hasn't been a really big guy his entire life, so he's constantly been tested more than the taller guys. When you're a big guy, people don't mess with big people."

Robin Sirwan Safar bts Sergey Kovalev

Safar wins via unanimous decision - the scorecards read 97-92, 99-90, 95-94 to the winner.

41-year-old Kovalev went all ten rounds but was found wanting for the second-part of the bout.

Stevie G arrives

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has pulled up at the venue for tonight's event - just as talkSPORT revealed he would be earlier.

His Al Ettifaq side scored an 86th-minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw with Al Akhdoud to leave them sixth in the Saudi Pro League.

Rock and roll

Tyson Fury was fired up as he took to the mic after a heated face-off with Oleksandr Usyk on Friday night.

Fury looked locked in and fired up as he butted heads with Usyk before pushing him when they came face to face for the final time before fight night.

Security stepped in and broke up the rivals as Fury took to the mic to deliver an X-rated final message to Usyk and his team.

"We're ready to rock and roll, I'm going to knock this f***er spark out," shouted Fury.

"I'm coming for his heart, f* his belts. I'm coming for his f*ing heart.

"F*** his team as well they can all get it."

Weigh to go

Oleksandr Usyk's weight for tonight's clash against Tyson Fury was announced wrong at the weigh in last night.

Fury came in at a trim 18st 7lbs (262lbs) which marked his lightest weight since 2018 when he boxed Deontay Wilder in their inaugural encounter at 18st 3lbs (255lbs).

In stark contrast, Usyk was announced to have tipped the scales at a career-heaviest weight of 16st 6lbs (233.5lbs), up 12.6lbs from his stoppage win over Daniel Dubois in August.

However, it turns out this was a mistake.

Audio from the close-up footage of Usyk weighing in picked-up commissioners appearing to confirm that the Ukrainian was 15 stone 9lbs (223.5lbs).

But the master of ceremonies Michael Buffer announced him at 16 st 6lbs (233.5lbs).

It has now been confirmed on BoxRec that Usyk did indeed weigh in at 223.5lbs.

Eye Spy

Chisora claims Fury's sparring for his upcoming undisputed clash has been impacted by the cut he sustained in February.

"The last time Tyson was here he was sparring and he got cut," Chisora told TNT Sports.

"I know for a fact, that thing hasn't healed properly, he hasn't been sparring so he's been doing more cardio.

"I think Oleksandr and his team are going to aim for that eye and that eye is going to open in round three or four and then that is going to start going mad.

"On top of that, he doesn't do well with southpaws."

'Fury looks very much up for this'

Saunders added: “You can just look at his shape, the form he’s in and the spirit.

“I looked at a picture of him and some video footage of the build-up, he looks fresh, he looks up for this, he looks very much up for this.

“I can only see a Tyson Fury points win.”

Billy Joe Saunders credits John Fury

Billy Joe Saunders believes Tyson Fury’s father has helped solve a major issue ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury nearly missed out on the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF title clash when he laboured to a controversial split decision win over Francis Ngannou last October.

Saunders, who is Fury's long-time friend, blamed his poor performance on a lack of focus, which was brought on by ‘yes men’ in his camp.

"His father, John Fury, would’ve put a stop to that,” Saunders told talkSPORT’s White & Jordan when asked if he’s still concerned about the people in Fury’s camp.

“That was a wake-up call. If he comes in how he boxed Ngannou it’s goodnight. Night Nurse. Forget about it.

“That’s being honest, he can’t afford to come in any way, shape, or form like that performance.”

'Fury looks as good as I've ever seen him'

Much has also been made of Fury's approach to the fight, with the WBC champion having shown off a remarkably lean physique in the build-up.

And 'Hayemaker' believes it provides a positive indication that the 'Gypsy King' has taken things seriously and is ready to deliver a career-best display.

He continued: "He looks very lean for Tyson Fury. For him to get in the shape, he has done more quality training and is now optimal for him.

"He looks as good as I've ever seen him look, and I'm interested to see him on the scales.

"It is a good indication that he is taking the fight very seriously.

"I think it will lead to a high-level technical fight, it will be a battle of that front leg."

David Haye's prediction

David Haye has 'dreamed' up an extremely specific prediction for Tyson Fury's fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Speaking on the White & Jordan show, he said: "I see a points decision, if there is a stoppage I'd sway towards Tyson Fury.

"But if it does go to points and it is remotely close, I see a majority draw. I think two of the judges will have it a draw so we get the rematch.

"I had a dream about this fight, I thought Usyk won and the judges scored it a draw so I was kicking up a stink about it.

"The judging recently hasn't made a lot of sense, but I think it makes sense for everybody if it is a draw."

Ricky Hatton has highlighted a weakness

Hatton is backing his pal Fury, who he helped slimmed down before his comeback in 2018, to get the job done tonight.

“I think [Fury] might be able to stop him later on,” the British boxing legend told talkBOXING ahead of the biggest fight of 2024.

“Tyson will use his height, use his reach early doors and try to outbox him, which I think he will do.

“Usyk will have his moments because he’s a good technician himself as well, but I think bit by bit [Fury will break him down].”

Hatton added: “I’d stay on the body.”

“I think there’s a big question mark on if Usyk is a bit weak to the body with that Dubois situation.

"There has been a few fights where he has been hit around the ribs and he hasn’t took to it too well.

“If Tyson can put a bit more concentration than he normally would to the body, then as he gets to the halfway stage impose his size on him, I think he could get a stoppage down the home straight."

'Fury wins the fight'

Amir Khan has told talkSPORT that Tyson Fury will be one of the greatest heavyweights ever if he beats Oleksandr Usyk.

"My prediction is Fury wins the fight," Khan told marvelbet369.com in Riyadh.

"I think Usyk's gonna start fast, but Fury's gonna pick up and win the fight on points.

"I don't think there will be a knockout, but it's gonna be a good fight.

"25 years we've waited for a fight like this, this is gonna show who the best heavyweight is gonna be.

"And I think the winner of this fight will be up there with the best heavyweights ever."

Khan continued: "If Fury wins in my opinion I think he'll be down as an all-time great.

"And look, I don't think people can question that.

"He's a great fighter, he's beaten the big names at the weight.

"Yeah people are talking about him after this fight fighting Joshua, but does he need to?

"For the money? Yeah, why not? But for his legacy I don't think he needs to.

"Because what this guy has done if he wins this fight is something not many heavyweights have done."

In his feelings

Rap superstar Drake has put a mammoth bet on Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk tonight.

It has become something of a tradition for Drake to lay down big-money wagers on top sporting events and showcase his potential winners on social media.

However, the Toronto musician also infamously has a habit of picking the loser when it comes to his gambles, coining the ‘Drake curse’ trend.

‘Unforgettable’ moment for boxing

Fabio Wardley: “It’s not just about the fight, it’s about what it represents, 25 years is a long fight. Just to get them in the ring. It’s a massive occasion.

“The arena, the lights, everything is doing it the justice it deserves, that historic moment. It’s unforgettable, whatever goes on, it’ll be unforgettable.”

David Nyika vs Michael Seitz up next

Interesting ring walk outfit from Nyika ahead of the ten-round clash.

Haye and Chisora analyse Fury vs Usyk

Haye: “I hope Fury goes for the knockout, if he does we’re in for a hell of a fight.”

Chisora: “I think Oleksandr will aim for the eye, I think it’ll open up round three or four.”

Fit for a king!

Tonight's arena at the 26,000-capacity Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is looking in great shape for the main-event.

'Put on a splendid display of fisticuffs'

Tyson Fury's father John has offered his final thoughts on tonight's undisputed showdown.

Fury Snr. claimed his son will serve up an 'absolute corker' as payment to Saudi Arabia for putting on the blockbuster event.

Lowe and behold!

Tyson Fury's close friend and training partner Isaac Lowe continued his winning streak at the start of the undercard.

'The Westgate Warrior' beat Afghanistan's Hasibullah Ahmadi in a comfortable points win.

It marked his fourth straight victory since falling to defeat at the hands of world title challenger Nick Ball.

Lowe dropped Ahmadi in the eighth round en route to a unanimous decision win with referee Mark Bates scoring the contest 97-92 in his favour.

The featherweight contender is a childhood friend of Fury's and trains at his gym in Morecambe Bay.

'Late stoppage for Tyson Fury'

Richie Woodhall tells TNT Sports: “I think Tyson Fury will be that step too far for Usyk, too big, he’s difficult to get to, if he boxes at range.

“I think a late stoppage for Tyson Fury.”

Get well soon Woodsy!

After suffering a facial injury in a freak accident, Laura Woods has pulled out of hosting Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.

Woods, a hugely popular former talkSPORT presenter, was due to travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to host the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight unification fight for TNT Sports.

Laura Woods pulls out of Fury vs Usyk gig after suffering shock injury in freak accident

Lennox weighs-in

Lennox Lewis - the last undisputed heavyweight champion - is edging towards Fury but admits he is not sure how it will go.

"I believe that Tyson Fury has great attributes, he's tall, he can box out of both stances, he can go forward," he told talkSPORT.

"Right now to me it's difficult to beat a bigger guy so I'll always say the bigger guy has the advantage.

"I think Tyson Fury on points, but I'm not counting out Usyk."

Bellew backs old foe

Tony Bellew, meanwhile, believes the old version of Fury would fare far better against Usyk than the current iteration.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Bellew said: "I think Tyson Fury stood the best chance of beating him when he was with his uncle Peter Fury because that's when he was an unorthodox, big, awkward fighter who used his size and his attributes to his advantage.

"Now, he's this fighter that loves to press fighters and look for a knockout under the brilliant SugarHill Steward at the Kronk.

"He's a different fighter now, he's someone that looks for the knockout and that's music to Oleksandr Usyk's ears.

"I know because I've been in there with him, the boy is exceptional at what he does.

"Don't get me wrong there is another side to that coin. Tyson Fury could get on top and he might be too heavy but in my opinion and from my experience, Oleksandr Usyk is going to win wide on points.

"We have to put this into context, if Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were the same size, this fight wouldn't even be up for debate."

'Fury's got a glow on him'

Frank Warren claimed that Fury is in the shape of his life despite concerns that the Brit has lost too much weight for the bout.

A streamlined version of Fury was on show at the public workouts this week and he is expected to come in at his lightest for nine years.

“He’s coming off back-to-back camps without a fight in between because of the cut,” Warren told talkSPORT.

“He didn’t have to lose weight going into this second camp, he’s bang on the money. I mean, he’s jumping out of skin, he’s got a glow on him. I’ve never seen him looking so well.”

He added: “I’m not a big believer in people carrying lots of weight, heavyweights especially carrying weight around on them. Why do that?

“Speed, for me, counts. It’s all about speed, not about being bulked.

“The one thing about Tyson is, for a guy who doesn’t look cut out of marble, he’s quite athletic. He’s very fast in the ring, has great footwork and fast hands.

“I feel he’ll be bang on the money for this, he’s really monitored his weight correctly and I think he’s just peaking at the right time. He’s not overdone it.

“I genuinely think we are going to see something special with these two guys on Saturday night.”