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Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the ring walk times, undercard results and round-by-round updates as Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
JEFF POWELL: Brave Tyson Fury could not solve the Usyk conundrum
Fury: Christmas came early for Usyk
What a night of boxing
Anthony Joshua slammed for Usyk vs Fury scorecard
‘I found it difficult to pick a winner’
I had it very close, I couldn’t split it. All three judges had it the same way. I had it a draw, one round, I thought it was close. We’ll watch it back, but I found it difficult to pick a winner.
Usyk claims second Fury fight was ‘easier’ than first
Usyk and his Eeyore
Fury: ‘I’ll believe until the day I die I won the fight’
I was quite confident, I thought I won that fight again, both fights, but then again I’ve gone home with two losses on my record, not much I can do about it, I’ll believe until the day I die I won the fight.
I was on the front foot all night, sometimes it’s hard to score. I feel a lot of people scored it 7-5, Frank had me three or four rounds up, I’m not going to cry. I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by, not a little bit, a lot, when you don’t get a knockout, you can’t guarantee a win.
Usyk claims Fury is toughest British boxer
The controversial scorecard
‘A masterclass from the most dazzling technician’
The longer it went the more it became a master class from the greatest tactician and the most dazzling technician of this and many another generation.
Leave it all in the ring they say, and Fury and Usyk were determined to do exactly that in the final round. But once again, it was Usyk who seemed to edge the exchanges.
Tyson Fury bellows ‘f*** all computers!’
Usyk: ‘Fury makes me stronger’
Tyson is my best friend. I really respect this guy because I think that he is really tough. Tyson Fury makes me stronger, he motivated me. He’s a great man, a good man. Tyson is a lot of talk, it’s just a show. I really respect Tyson Fury and now is already history.
Damage to Fury’s right eye
Where does Usyk rank in the all-time list?
From celebration to deflation
‘No time to walk away’
I am extremely proud. It was an encyclopedia of boxing and he showed today how boxing is constructed from the bottom to the top. Incredible performance. There is no time to walk away, he is happy to do this. I had to Fury three or four rounds. The judges gave him four. That’s the fairest score it could be.
He could be next, but how could you name him next when he is fighting Usyk?
The Fury Slayer
Fury: ‘I thought I won the fight again’
I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again. I was on the front foot the entire time. When you don’t get the knockout, this is what can happen.
Party time for Usyk
Mr. Formidable
AI Judge: 118-112 Usyk
‘Only fight for Fury is Joshua’
There is only one fight for Tyson Fury and it’s Anthony Joshua. Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers but just wasn’t up to it against Usyk. I’d love to see Fury v AJ at Wembley and then maybe come back out here.
FAN REACTION: ‘Usyk a cut above’
Anonymous: I had Usyk winning by 2 rounds not 4 but bottom line he was still a cut above Fury.
Joyce, UK: There is no way Fury lost that fight, people commenting on here either are blinded by their dislike for him.
Anonymous: I had Usyk winning 7 rounds to 5. Fury had over a 3-stone advantage and 6 inches in height. Obviously, Usyk is a far superior fighter.
Anonymous: It was a clear and decisive win. Nobody had it in Fury’s favour and I’d take more notice of the AI judge which has it even more clearly in Usyk’s favour.
Klitschko: ‘Usyk made history’
We are lucky to have such an amazing champion. A legend. Just outstanding from the boxing ground. He just made history and that win is extremely important for us Ukrainians, he’s putting Ukraine on the map once again.
He’s done it so many times. I don’t know another person who’s been as excellent as Usyk in boxing. You are a true legend. Some Ukrainians might not have watched that fight tonight but they will know tomorrow morning that Usyk is a champion.
Bellew has his say
Warren: ‘Emotions are running high’
It’s up to him. It’s just after a fight and emotions are running high. It’s nuts. Did you only give him four rounds out of eight? I don’t get it.
I’m really disappointed. We’ll have to see what happens in the future for Tyson. I thought he was in control, boxed really well and had Usyk on his back foot.
What next for Fury?
Fury believes he won by three rounds
Warren: ‘Im dumbfounded’
I’m dumbfounded. They gave him [Tyson Fury’ four rounds out of the 12, which is impossible. I’ve been around a long time and I know I am biased, but one judge didn’t give him any rounds from round six onwards.
How can that be? That’s impossible. It’s crazy. I’m calm and collected, I’m not screaming and shouting, but that is nonsense.
Was Fury hard done by?
Fury leaves ring without comment
Dubois demands Usyk rematch
Usyk: ‘A great 24 rounds’
I win, it’s good. I’m not judge, I am a sportsman and athlete. My win. I train, good prepare. My wife helps me and my children. It’s a very happy day, my boys win competition too in judo. A great fight, a great opponent, a great 24 rounds.
Breaking:OLEKSANDR USYK WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
Tough to call
‘Fury goes for Hail Mary’
A desperate Fury goes for a Hail Mary right – and eats leather for his trouble. Fury gallant fights back but lacks the sharpness to have effect. Fury kneels to the crowd in supplication. Fury raises a fist in hope.
ROUND 12: Both finish with a flurry
ROUND 12: One final push
‘Fury in a daze’
The left sinister wreaking concern now, one after the other and another send Fury reeling around the ring in a daze.
ROUND 11: Usyk puts his foot down
‘Usyk reeling Fury in’
Fury finally unleashes a huge right but Usyk has him reeling at the end from a sustained barrage.
ROUND 10: Fury ramps up the pace again
‘Fury slowing now’
More vintage Usyk keeps driving back Fury, who might just be slowing now.
ROUND NINE: Low activity continues
‘Usyk complains’
Usyk complains about a butt. The referee is unconvinced but he exacts his own retribution with a succession of left hooks.
ROUND EIGHT: Usyk lands some big shots
‘A more watchful round’
A more watchful round from both but Usyk nips and out for the more telling of the few punches.
ROUND SEVEN: Fury slows the pace
‘Wonderful work from Usyk’
Wonderful work from Usyk, speeding in and out towards a climax of three shuddering left hooks.
ROUND SIX: Usyk clocks Fury
‘Fury goes to work’
Fury goes to work with left-right combinations and despite clever replies Tyson is level again.
ROUND FIVE: Fury applying pressure
‘Fury edges round’
The crowd roused as Usyk sends spray flying but Fury’s work edges the round.
ROUND FOUR: Usyk catches Fury
‘Usyk cleverly reverses attacks’
Tyson runs at him at the start of the third. It was he who was supposed to go for the body but Usyk cleverly reversed that with attacks on the huge form front of him.
ROUND THREE: Fury controlling pace
‘Crisp jabs from Fury’
Fury’s intent in welcome contrast to his showboating at the start of the first fight. Crisp jabs from and a couple of hefty rights get him on the scorecard. Is he going for a quick finish?
ROUND TWO: Fury ROCKS Usyk
‘David v Goliath’
That beard was bushier than ever, Usyk’s shaven head in gleaming contrast. In size, it really was David v Goliath. Fury’s first right sent Usyk staggering back across the ring. Fury’s fast start negatedby some darting two-fisted interventions from the champion.
ROUND ONE: Fury keeping his distance
Here we go!
Final predictions?
Time for the national anthems
‘A chilly enclosure’
Before they could even think about getting into limousines for the motorcades to the stadium along the impromptu race tracks which serve as highways here there were log jams in committee rooms for teams Fury and Usyk.
Could the Gypsy King keep his Methusula beard grown in his long and isolated training camp? Or should it be sheared off or trimmed in case it cushioned the Kyiv Cat’s punches or aggravated any damage to his face?
This Cat is cool. He stayed calm through that record 11 minutes and 20 seconds stare down during fight week until Tyson could not restrain himself no longer from yapping into a slew of insults.
The Kingdom Arena awaiting them, after all was said and done, is roofed in but with temperatures plummeting after dark in this month in which snowfall in the desert was recorded for the first time in Saudi history it was still a chilly enclosure. As for those single-bar heaters known as human beings, this is a Kingdom of the night.
Scorching heat most of the year dictates that work, play and the national sport of shopping start late afternoon at the earliest. With the peak hour for restaurant reservations close to eleven than seven. As for the boxing, since big fights like this come to the ring around 2 am the place doesn’t fill up much if anything before the witching hour.
Almost on the stroke of midnight the locals came trooping in, warming up the hall and the atmosphere. Screenshots of Fury and Usyk arriving revealed their preference for the champion. Fury always has his following but there were fewer fellow travellers than usual.
Steely-eyed Usyk
Fury or Santa?
Fury’s legacy on the line
Pre-fight show begins
‘I can’t see past Usyk ‘
Fury might try to come out and box and move but he won’t be able to outbox Usyk. If Fury comes out and goes for the finish, which I think is his only chance, he’ll come close but he’ll run out of steam. I can’t see past a Usyk win.
How will extra weight affect Fury?
Fury’s high shorts
Dubois: ‘I want to challenge the winner’
I think it will be a great fight and I am looking forward to challenging the winner, so may the best man win. I want to get my revenge on Usyk but I am rooting for Fury.
Last time out in Riyadh…
Itauma stops McKean in round ONE
Fights breaking out in the crowd
There has just been a bust-up between security guards and a fan – just been escorted out of the arena.
It is unclear what it was all over but around three or four security guards ended up dragging him out.
Itauma and McKean underway
Moses Itauma up next
Usyk’s hands are wrapped
Serhii Bohachuk stops Ishmael Davis
‘Usyk is relaxed’
I have seen real Usyk. I have seen the genuine man, the family man, embracing his wife. The energy coming from the sun, so much heat, he was happy to see her. He is calm, he is relaxed, but he will get more focused in the next hours.
All eyes on the ring
Fury all smiles
Lewis: ‘I would go after Usyk if I was Fury’
I would go right after him because I’d say he’s not as strong as me. And he would realise this and he would move and it would be a situation where I’m cutting off the ring and putting my weight on him, throwing that jab, that left hook, that right hand. I’d be a pugilist specialist in that fight using all my strengths.
Whether it’s my uppercut, whether it’s my jab, whether it’s my hook. And I’ve got to put all those things together. He’s going to see that he had great effect with his uppercut so he’s going to be throwing it a lot more.
I would throw some combinations and end off with the uppercut, because he’s going to throw the left, right then the hook and he’s going to duck under that. Then, the uppercut should be there.
Statham in town
Serhii Bohachuk and Ishmael Davis in the ring
Fury: ‘I will put this f***** in the hurt locker’
I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain, I am going to put this f***** in the hurt locker for sure. I have got nothing to say other than there will a lot of hurt and pain. Last time out I laughed and I joked.
Talking has been done. The first fight I joked but this Saturday I’m going to do a whole lot of damage.
The record-breaking face-off
Paris arrives via VIP entrance
Fisher beats Allen via split decision
Usyk’s lucky charm
Beard-gate
Fisher floored
‘It’s freezing’
You’d be forgiven for forgetting this fight is taking place in Saudi Arabia by taking one look at those ringside. Hats, gloves and scarfs are out in full force this evening. It’s freezing!
Mudryk supporting Usyk
Fisher continuing to dominate
Fisher makes fast start
Can Fisher prove he’s a future superstar?
Tyson Fury is in the building!
To the heavyweights we go
McGregor gets the win
Gumshield drama in Lowe vs McGregor
Another great is in the building
Lowe vs McGregor becoming scrappy
Oleksandr Usyk is here!
Amir Khan arrives
Nip and tuck between Lowe and McGregor
Careful, Eddie!
Lowe has the support of Tommy Fury
Hamzah Sheeraz tipping a Fury win
Straight down to business
McGrail’s gruesome cut
Paris backs her husband to get the job done in brutal fashion
Time for Lowe vs McGregor
Paris Fury is here!
McGrail gets the nod
Edwards finishes strongly
David Haye breaks down head-to-head battle between Fury and Usyk
The troubling habit Fury needs to fix
Up for grabs in McGrail vs Edwards
Mudryk spotted in Saudi
Royalty arrives in Riyadh
No John Fury in Tyson’s corner tonight
Sleepy time then showtime for Itauma
Moses Itauma ready to put the heavyweight division on notice
Dave Allen eyes an upset
What time is tonight’s main event?
McGrail is cut!
Good start to McGrail vs Edwards
Fury’s insane watch collection
Fisher ready to shine
Fourth fight coming right up
Daniel Lapin wins a landslide decision
The final bell rings for the third fight of the night
Who is fronting tonight’s boxing coverage?
Lapin in complete control
Bugzy Malone arrives
The family behind Usyk’s remarkable rise
The big men getting gloved up
Isaac Lowe vows to make a statement
To beard or not to beard?
Big John makes his prediction for Fury vs Usyk
Lapin starts well
Johnny Fisher set for his biggest fight
Bob Arum’s advice for Fury
First Brits in action soon
The big stars are out in Riyadh
Joseph Parker has his say on Fury adding weight
Paris Fury opens up on not speaking to Tyson for three months
Third fight on the way
Big John and Okolie in the building
Novitsyki wins second fight of the evening
Lennox Lewis struggling to pick a winner
Late change for tonight’s main event
What’s coming up?
The action is already underway
What happened at the weigh-in?
Good evening!
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Fury: ‘I thought I won the fight again’
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Fury believes he won by three rounds
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OLEKSANDR USYK WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
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Last time out in Riyadh…
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Tyson Fury is in the building!
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Oleksandr Usyk is here!
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What time is tonight’s main event?