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

Arsena-L

Manchester United legend Ronaldo revelled in poking run at Arsenal's slim chances at winning the Premier League tomorrow.

The Gunners are two points adrift of Man City with one game left and need to beat Everton and hope West Ham get a result at the Etihad.

But with fans dreaming of the club winning their first title since 2004, Ronaldo told Arsenal fan Warren they had no chance...

Fury vs Usyk: talkSPORT coverage

talkSPORT will have live updates on fight night and will also be broadcasting a live watchalong that has just got underway above!

Adam Catterall, Spencer Oliver, Sunny Edwards and Adam Smith will be dissecting every moment of the action and it will be aired live on the radio and on YouTube from 9pm-1am.

You can also head on over to talkSPORT Boxing's YouTube channel for more.

'I can get him out of there'

Joe Cordina to DAZN: "We're quite similar. We're both quite awkward and have a similar skillset. It's kind of last chance saloon so he's going to come out and give it everything."

On possible KO: "I'm going to make sure I do everything in my power to come out the winner. I've got plenty more in the tank. I reckon if I land then I can get him out of there but I never look for it."

On messages from fans: "Thank you for all of the messages, sorry I can't get back to you but I love you all."

Joe Cordina up next!

In the biggest bout for Brits on the undercard, Joe Cordina looks to defend his super-featherweight world title against Anthony Cacace.

The Welshman [17-0-0] is still unbeaten as a professional and has blown away all of his opponents.

But Irishman Cacace has consecutively won his last six fights and will feel he can cause an upset and end Cordina's run.

'What a massive win'

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn on X:"What a massive win for Agit!

"So happy for him, taken two fights no one wanted and really deserves a big one now."

Agit Kabayel def. Frank Sanchez

Agit Kabayel is now mandatory for the WBC heavyweight world title after beating Frank Sanchez via body shot stoppage in round seven.

The green and gold strap is on the line as one of the four belts up for grabs between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in the main event.

Cris cross

Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo are now seated together at ringside.

The Al Nassr star was previously spotted at Joshua's win over Otto Wallin in December next to MMA legend Conor McGregor.

Fury's controversial win against Francis Ngannou also saw the pair meet, with both laughing together before pretending to square up.

This time though, Ronaldo has the pleasure of being next to Joshua for Fury vs Usyk, with Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh to his left

‘He could really struggle’

Carl Froch has advised Tyson Fury to use his weight to beat Oleksandr Usyk.

He told Fastest Online Casino: "I'm not sure if (Fury coming in light) is a good thing to be honest.

"That weight allowed him to bully Deontay Wilder, lean on him, tie him up and just have his own way.

"When it gets on top for Fury, when he's under pressure, he's able to sit back, get hold of the back of his opponent's neck, lean on him and use his body weight to get himself out of trouble.

"If he's losing weight and he's slimmer, he could struggle. I'd like to see him perform at a slimmer weight.

"His body and the way it looks is a product of his training camp.

"So maybe the nutritionist needs to step in and say, right, get some more red meat down here. Get some more protein down you and do some weight resistance exercises.

"I think he needs the muscle on now though. He needs to be bulking up muscle."

'Lost his edge'

Matthew Ellis got stopped by Tyson Fury in 48 seconds but isn't backing him to beat Oleksandr Usyk tonight.

He told marvelbet369.com: "I knew what I was doing, I went for the dough and that is it.

"I believe I would have beaten that version of Tyson Fury at my peak.

"I don't mean the Tyson Fury now, I mean then. What he has done for the sport is unbelievable and I take my hat off to him.

"But I never believed he would go as far as he would. He hit me and maybe I should have gone into films because I would have been a great actor.

"I've been hit harder and I've gone on and won. I had no desire, my head was up my arse, and I might have sounded confident on camera but I didn't want to be in there and I struggled to get up for it.

";I just wanted to get my money and get my life back on track."

Bellew of the ball

Tony Bellew didn't hold back when he joined talkSPORT to address John Fury's recent threats against him this week.

"No one is going to headbutt me, full stop. I've made my predictions that's what I'm paid to do," began Bellew on talkSPORT Drive.

"I don't fear no man and no man is going to put it on me. Understand this, for every action, there is a reaction.

"It was very bizarre watching that yesterday because there's one guy going head to head with him that is the same size and he didn't feel like headbutting him.

"But he felt the need to headbutt the child in the group which I found quite disturbing to be honest.

"It's embarrassing. If my father behaved like that at a press conference I would pull him aside and tell him.

"It can't be happening, it's a really bad look for boxing.

"I'm actually surprised it's been allowed to go on and happen but it is what it is. He's a walking, talking liability."

'Fury will be cautious'

Simon Jordan expects Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk emphatically.

“I think Fury wins the fight,” Jordan said on the talkBOXING podcast he shares with Spencer Oliver. "Based on my belief that he comes in the best version of himself.

"I think he’ll be too big and too strong. I think he’ll be cautious. We might have to yawn our way through the first couple of rounds.

"I think he will lean on him and slow him down with his weight. I think he’ll pop him around his midriff and I think he’ll knock him out in around eight or nine [rounds].

"I think Fury will want to knock him out. I think Fury will see it as a badge of honour to knock him out.”

Itauma reacts to Haye praise

"I'm over the moon to hear that praise, I always listen," says Itauma after hearing Haye's praise.

Haye added: “He’s got a great coach and team to help guide you. Live healthy, live clean, focus on the fights, and you’ll have that world title. It’s possible, believe me.”

Promoter Warren: “I saw composure. But every time he fights, he looks a bit more chilled, he’s learning and executing. Not rushing. Very professional and precise. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

'Future world champion'

David Haye on Moses Itauma: “I saw a future world champion, he showed all the attributes you need.

“At 19 to be in that position, physically, not taking unnecessary shots. It’s what you want to see in a future champion.”

Holy Moses

Moses Itauma blasted out Ilja Mezencev in two rounds on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.

Mezencev was the most experienced opponent Itauma had faced to date with 29 fights (25-4) to his name, including two against Fury's former foe Tom Schwarz.

Read our report below...

Britain's Mike Tyson scores vicious KO on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard

Moses Itauma eyes Mike Tyson record

“Nobody wants to challenge me! Now I’ve got this belt, 100 percent [I can beat Mike Tyson’s record to be the youngest-ever heavyweight world champion.”

“Really pleased, an extremely rare skillset,” added Ben Davison.

“You have to take it step-by-step. It’s fantastic when you get the knockout, but nothing beats experience and getting the rounds.”

Moses Itauma up next!

The 19-year-old has drawn early comparisons to Mike Tyson due to his brutal style, with Fury even describing him as the 'future of the division.'

He last fought in March against Dan Garber, and the young heavyweight demolished his opponent, securing the win inside round one.

His record currently stands at 8-0-0, and he will look to extend that against Ilja Mezencev in front of his promoter, Frank Warren.

Shape of his life

Frank Warren is convinced that his fighter’s weight loss will lead to an exceptional performance when Fury takes on Usyk.

He told talkSPORT: “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.”

One in the Chamber

Mark Chamberlain made quick work of Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.

Wahab hadn't even been knocked down in his 25-fight career (23-2) until he met the Brit on Saturday night.

But Chamberlain, nicknamed ‘Thunder’, landed a lightning-quick left hand to deck Wahab in the opening round.

To his credit, Wahab made his way back to his feet but was quickly hammered back down again by a fast flurry that left him slumped unconscious against the bottom rope.

Chamberlain, who is said to be His Excellency Turki Alalshikh's favourite fighter, moves to 16-0 as a pro with 12 knockouts.

Hell hath no Fury

Paris Fury has re-issued a plea to husband Tyson Fury to retire after his two fights with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury called time on his boxing career after defending his WBC title against Dillian Whyte in April 2022, but elected to return in a bid to secure fights with Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.

Paris has since repeated her stance on her husband's career, insisting she would love him to return home to his seven children in Morecambe.

Fury made wife Paris happy with retirement plan then swapped doing the bins for the gym

Lennox Lewis explains power of undisputed

“The feeling was great, I worked my entire career for it, to get all the belts together. I didn’t look at the history aspect. But Holyfield has never fought me, but people said he was the champion.

“If a cruiserweight comes up to my weight class, I’ve got to let him know.

“Holyfield realised he had to work to beat me. In the first fight, he was coming to the ring singing, I thought, ‘how is he singing? He’s not taking me seriously!’

“I didn’t want the argument, ‘who’s the champion?’ Holyfield, Tyson, Lewis… When you’re undisputed, nobody can say nothing!”

Would Lennox Lewis reign today?

“He’s a mountain of a man” Carl Frampton says. “Lennox Lewis was a great champion, it’s a black mark on British boxing to not have another undisputed champion since. His resume is incredible.

Fabio Wardley: “His mentality is that he thinks he could beat them [Fury and Usyk], if in pure fantasyland, is Manny [Emanuel Steward] there and next to him?

“Maybe he doesn’t gel as well with a modern trainer.”

Eye for an eye

Agron Smakici, who cut Tyson Fury in sparring, has told talkSPORT what to expect from 'The Gypsy King' tonight.

"I think he's going use his legs, he's going to move a lot," Smakici told marvelbet369.com.

"You're going to see him use his heavy body to grab Usyk and he will use his long jab.

"I think now he is much more ready than he was before."

Asked whether the wound above Fury's eye is at risk of opening against Usyk, Smakici replied: “It isn’t serious against Usyk because he is not a heavy hitter.

"If he was fighting [Anthony] Joshua he would cause some serious damage.

“You saw what he did to Otto Wallin’s face [when they fought].

"Punchers like him will cut Fury but Usyk will box with him and shouldn't do the same damage.

“It is 100 percent a problem against big punchers because they can make the cut bigger with their punches.”