RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 20: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury 2 pose for a photo during the … [+] weigh-in as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at on December 20, 2024 in Riyadh, . (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The huge card in Riyadh is underway, but the main event between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is still hours away. If you’re wondering what time the two best heavyweights in the world will climb into the ring, the expected ring walks will happen around 5:50 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV.
It’ll likely take both fighters 15 minutes to get to the ring because of all the presentation elements. When you add in five to seven minutes of introductions, the opening bell isn’t likely to ring before 6:35 p.m. ET.
DAZN put out this infographic to help fight fans around the world know when the action will begin for them in their region.
Usyk-Fury 2
Major Storylines on Fight Night – Usyk-Fury 2
Weigh-In Results
The weight disparity was a huge topic of conversation on Friday. While Usyk weighed in at 226 pounds, just three pounds heavier than he was for the first fight with Fury in May, the latter went a different route.
Fury weighed in at a career-high 281 pounds. That’s a noteworthy 55 pounds heavier than Usyk. The larger frame suggests Fury plans to fight for a KO in the rematch. In the first fight, he had Usyk hurt on two occasions early but couldn’t capitalize.
Instead, Usyk put Fury down in the ninth round, shifting the momentum and leading to the former’s split-decision win. We’ll soon find out if a heavier Fury is more effective.
Usyk Wants Fury to Trim His Beard
According to a story on ESPN, Usyk’s team has requested Fury trim his beard. A fighter with a long beard can be considered unprofessional in combat sports because it can grind against the skin of an opponent during clinches.
At any rate, Fury’s team declined and offered a statement from the former champion’s manager, Spencer Brown of Goldstar.
“Tyson Fury has boxed with a beard on many occasions, as do other fighters, most recently [Artur] Beterbiev,” Brown said, referring to the undisputed light heavyweight championship title fight in October. “Usyk himself has come out publicly and said Tyson having a beard is no problem. There is no law or ruling in boxing to say you can’t fight with a beard. It’s ridiculous that this has already been brought up in a rules meeting to no avail. Simply put, if Usyk had a beard, we would have no issue. This is not a fashion show; it’s boxing.”
This grooming decision seems to be further proof Fury wants to fight on the inside to make it uncomfortable for Usyk.
Fight Night Results
- Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
- Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean
- Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis
- Johnny Fisher vs. David Allen
- Lee McGregor defeats Isaac Lowe via unanimous decision (96-92, 97-91, 97-91)
- Peter McGrail defeats Rhys Edwards via unanimous decision (96-95, 96-94, 96-94)
- Daniel Lapin defeats Dylan Colin via unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91)
- Andrii Novytskyi defeats Edgar Ramirez via unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 98-92)
- Mohammed Alakel defeats Joshua Ocampo via unanimous decision (60-53×3)
