MEXICO CITY- March 1, 2026 – After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defense against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven.

At its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC granted Champion Usyk a voluntary defense.  Subsequently, the WBC received a petition to sanction the Usyk v. Herhoeven fight as a voluntary defense.

Champion Usyk’s has showcased incredible activity in recent years, facing and defeating champions in his division like Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice.  He did all of that while maintaining his undefeated record. In reaching its approval decision, the WBC Board of Governors considered Champion Usyk’s activity, which is unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division.

 Rico has been competing professionally at an elite kickboxing level since 2005. Over the course of two decades, while maintaining that very highest level of competition, he has established himself as arguably one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxing champions of all time. 

Rico’s professional journey has been exceptional, which includes headlining and selling out major stadium arenas in front of 30,000 and 40,000 spectators worldwide. At 36, he competed in 76 professional kickboxing fights.  Rico just recently vacated the Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title, going undefeated in 11 years. 

The transition from kickboxing to boxing is not unprecedented. Many Muay Thai athletes have successfully crossed over into professional boxing and competed for WBC titles early in their boxing careers. This WBC decision is within the WBC rules and regulations.

The pyramids of Egypt will give this event historic importance and surroundings.  That has been the dream of many, including our beloved WBC President Jose Sulaiman.

NEW YORK, NY, February 27, 2026 – His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine today announced that unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will take on former kickboxing heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23rd in Egypt for the WBC heavyweight title, globally exclusive on DAZN. 

‘Glory in Giza’ will see Usyk take on Verhoeven, who steps back into the boxing ring following a twelve year absence. 

Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion with two victories over Tyson Fury in Riyadh in 2024. He then became the unified heavyweight champion with a comprehensive fifth-round KO of Daniel Dubois. 

Having fought in Ukraine, Germany, Poland, the USA, Latvia, Russia and the UK, the 39-year-old will compete in North Africa for the first time in his career. 

Dutch former kickboxer Verhoeven, 36, holds Glory records in most wins in title bouts (14), the most consecutive title defenses (13), the most wins (28), and the longest winning streak (27),

while also tying in the record of the promotion’s most bouts (29). He has previously competed in MMA and professional boxing, winning his only fight in each sport by knockout. 

Verhoeven defended his heavyweight title in June last year, defeating former two-time light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov by unanimous decision before announcing his departure from the sport in November after 76 fights and 66 wins. 

He now returns to boxing for the first time since 2014 hoping to become the first man to defeat Usyk in his professional career. 

Usyk said: “I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. 

Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. 

I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!” 

Verhoeven said: “I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. 

I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.” 

Further details, including ticket information and undercard will be announced in due course. 

Stay up-to-date on the latest from DAZN by signing up HERE for DAZN Media Center — your one-stop hub for assets across DAZN Boxing including upcoming pay-per-view events, subscription fights and our archive library.

About Ring Magazine 

Since its acquisition by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh in November 2024, The Ring has entered a new era, reinforcing its status as boxing’s most legendary and authoritative voice. 

The magazine has showcased many of the sport’s biggest fights and most iconic moments, most recently Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez at a sold out Madison Square Garden, British boxing’s most talked about match-up between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, as well as the legacy-defining showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford in Las Vegas, often described as “the fight of the century.” 

The Ring delivers world-class global coverage with unrivaled access to boxing’s top stars. Building on its rich heritage, the magazine continues to document the sport at the highest level whilst shaping the present and preserving the legacy of boxing. 

About DAZN 

DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams more than 110,000 live events annually and is available in over 200 markets worldwide. DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, as well as the NFL Game Pass and NHL.TV internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more.? 

DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. The company partners with leading pay-TV operators, ISPs and Telcos worldwide to maximise sports exposure to a broad audience.?? 

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, visit www.dazngroup.com   

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – New disruptor in the boxing space, Ed Pereira, CEO of iVisit Boxing (iVB for short) officially announced on Friday a partnership with digital media juggernaut YouTube that will see multiple, massive scale live events take place this year in cities of historical significance for the sweet science. The announcement, which Pereira made across the steps of City Hall, alongside San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and representatives from the  Google-owned YouTube, did not make mention of any specific fights or fighters that will be featured, but the word among many in the industry is that a fight between unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former kingpin Deontay Wilder is in play for the July 11th date announced to take place today in the “City by the Bay.” The event will be held outdoors at Civic Center Plaza. 

While Pereira’s name may be new to the average boxing observer, the Uruguay-born, Wales-raised promoter was a key figure behind the scenes while working alongside Saudi Arabian officials on last May’s “Fatal Fury” event in New York City’s Times Square as well as the Ring Magazine Awards Show, which took place this past January in London, England. 

“I have been in and around boxing for the last few years, but historically I have come from sport,” Pereira explained to TheBoxingHour.com on Friday. “I’ve worked for some of the biggest soccer teams in the world, for rugby, and for me the world of boxing is incredible. The people in boxing; the fighters, the fans – they have inspired me to come to the city of San Francisco and ask, ‘How are we going to create bigger and bolder events?’ I was inspired while working in the industry and I saw an opportunity.”  

The goal for Pereira and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is that the event will break the reported all-time boxing attendance record of 135,132 set by world middleweight champion Tony Zale’s title defense against Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 16, 1941. Zale dropped Pryor multiple times en route to a ninth-round stoppage in the main event of a free event sponsored by the Pabst Brewing Company. Lurie reiterated what Pereira had made known in recent interviews: that a large number of standing room tickets will be made available for free for the event in July. 

“I am so fired up to make sure that we see over 130,000 people on July 11th,” Lurie told the crowd gathered at today’s press conference. “What you all might not know is that San Francisco has a long history of boxing. Boxing was and still is a uniting force for our community. Today we are announcing a partnership that builds on that incredible history. This July, I am so excited that San Francisco will be host to iVisit Boxing and a weeklong series of events across San Francisco and the Bay Area, culminating in a historic match right here in our Civic Center. Every match will be free and open to the public, bringing world class sport directly to San Franciscans.” 

One of the criticisms of the Times Square event was that fans were unable to get close enough to see the fights in the ring. San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza obviously offers much more space than the Midtown Manhattan commercial intersection. Space is one of the aspects, alongside the city’s rich boxing history, that Pereira has said in interviews that drew him to the “The City by the Bay.”  

Should the rumored Usyk-Wilder clash end up at Civic Center Plaza, it would be the first world heavyweight championship fight the city has hosted since undefeated champion Rocky Marciano stopped overmatched Don Cockell in the ninth round at Kezar Stadium on May 16, 1955. The city, once one of boxing’s hotbeds, had hosted world heavyweight title fights dating back to a John L. Sullivan title defense in 1886. James J. Corbett, who had graduated from Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School in San Francisco, returned to the city for a world heavyweight title defense in 1897. The legendary James J. Jeffries also made multiple defenses at the turn of the 20th century. Today’s announcement did not include mention of Usyk, Wilder or any other specific fighters. Pereira explained those announcements will be forthcoming, but today was about getting the world excited about the sport being featured in a grand scale on the YouTube platform as well as getting the community in and around San Francisco excited about the July 11th event. 

“My focus has been very much about working with the Mayor’s team to put together everything for this announcement and obviously the YouTube announcement,” Pereira told TheBoxingHour.com. “Whenever those guys [Usyk and Wilder] get together, it is going to be a great card, right? Who wouldn’t want Usyk on their card?” 

iVisit Boxing has made mention on their social media platforms that the company plans to host twelve events this calendar year, including the first on April 4th, outdoors of Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada to recreate the feel of the old Caesars Palace open-air event center that hosted the majority of major fights on the Strip before the casino bosses wanted the patrons and potential gamblers closer to the the tables and slot machines indoors. The coming weeks and months could be very interesting as Pereira and iVB make their plans better known. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

‘All or Nothing’ takes place at The o2 on Saturday night, headlined by the giant heavyweight showdown between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley. The pair a fighting for the right to a straight shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk

The fighters and their teams convened at Studio 338 in London to exchange some final words ahead of the mighty collision and below are a selection of key quotes from this media event.

Select Quotes:

Frank Warren:
“This is the most significant fight, at the moment, in the heavyweight division. It is the best one out there. These two guys have stepped up when neither of them needed to make this fight. Joe Parker, he is the interim champion and the WBO have already ordered that Oleksandr Usyk has to defend his belt against him, but he was injured.

“Joseph wants to fight anyway. And Fabio, again, he is in a fantastic position and he only had to wait him time. He said no, he wanted to fight and, not only that, he wanted to fight Joe Parker because it gives him a chance to jump the queue.

“You have got to take your hat off to them, they are fighting men. Proper, proper fighting men. We have got a superb fight here. Queensberry and DAZN are bringing another great heavyweight fight to the viewers.”

Joseph Parker
“For me this is all or nothing. I am not really thinking about losing this fight, I am going into this fight to win. And when I win I will be going onto the next fight. I respect my opponent and what he has done in his career and how he has prepared for this fight, but I am a different level, to be honest. And I am going to show it on Saturday night.

“I have got many miles on the clock and many more to bring. I am only getting into my prime now.

“Credit to Wardley for taking this fight, but it is the wrong time to take this fight because I am going to smash him. He picked this fight and I said yes to every fight, so we both want this fight.

“He believes in himself but I know I am going to win this fight. He is going to learn that it is okay to have a loss and he has got enough time to climb back.”

Fabio Wardley
“It is a massive night coming up on Saturday. Massive for the pair of us sitting at this table and massive for me at this stage of my career as well. It is obviously the biggest fight of my career and biggest fight of my life coming up. So far, so good for me, every time I do step up I rise to the occasion and rise to the challenge. Saturday is going to be no different.

“The separation between where Joe is and where people think I am has been a common theme for me throughout my career. It is nothing new that I am hearing. Every time I step up to a new level, it is always this is a step too far until I come through and win and then it is the next step is too far.

“I relish the challenge, I look forward to stepping up and proving people wrong, showing people that I am very much at the top level in this division.

“I don’t know if it is positive or negative really that everyone focuses on my power, knocking opponents out. My record speaks for itself and I guess in that case it draws away from my boxing skill and ability. I think anyone with an educated brain in boxing knows that it takes more than muscles and a bit of strength to knock someone out.

“It takes practice, timing, precision and you’ve got to work at those things. All this leads to boxing IQ. Just because my record is littered with highlight reel knockouts, I think people get distracted by that and it takes away from what got me to those punches.

“So it can work to my benefit. If you think I’m going to be running around that ring with my right hand cocked waiting ready to go, there is a lot more you and the team need to prepare for.

“He has been going around the block for a long time, with a lot of fights on his record. By no means is he an old man in the game, but he has been in the sport for a long time and had some heavy fights. Look, I’ve been in a few wars myself and I know they put miles on the clock and Joe has been in a lot more rounds and a lot more of those than me.

“There are two sides to that coin of experience. You can take all that experience into the fight, but you are also taking all the miles in there as well. You can’t erase those, you bring them with you. It just depends how you want to look at it.”

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (August 14, 2025) – Marco “El Tiburon” Romero (9-0, 8 KOs) is preparing for his first professional fight at home in Olathe, Kansas, on September 6. His living legend manager and head trainer, John Brown, has advised Romero to observe future Hall of Famer Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) as a perfect example for his development.

Turner Boxing Academy, owned and operated by Brown in Kansas City (KS), is promoting “The Homecoming,” a professional/amateur boxing card to be headlined by hometown hero Romero, on September 6, at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Usyk, a proud Ukrainian who captured a gold medal for his country in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was the undisputed world cruiserweight champion before moving up to duplicate that feat, not once but twice, as a heavyweight.

“Usyk is a good example for Marco to follow,” Brown explained. “I have him watching videos of Usyk. He’s such an impressive guy, in and out of the ring, and that’s why I’m pushing Marco in his direction. I’m a big fan of Tyson Fury, but I’m trying to instill Usyk’s traits in Marco as a fighter because of Usyk’s tenacity and will, top conditioning, and boxing science knowledge. I’m a realist about life and boxing, how tough they both are, but I always teach my boxers that to be successful in this sport, as well as in life, they need to be obsessed for success.”

“I never really paid attention to Usyk until recently,” Romero added. “He is definitely one of a kind. His movement, footwork, and output for a heavyweight is insane, especially since he’s not on the big side in the heavyweight division. Usyk is a beast!”

“The Homecoming” is a fundraiser for the Turner Boxing Academy. The primary sponsor of this event is McCarthy Auto Group, and a part of the proceeds will be donated to Safe Kids Johnson County.

Romero, 19 years old and a 23-time national amateur champion, will be fighting in his first scheduled 8-round bout. Romero takes on Javier Dario Aragon (7-1-1, 3 KOs) in the main event. This bout will also mark Romero’s debut as a middleweight with him moving down one division from super middleweight, where he has competed since turning professional.

To watch a recent American Dream TV feature story of Romero, click HERE.

Undefeated Topeka (KS) heavyweight John “Iron Man” Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs) faces Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO), who is from Lexington, Kentucky, in the 8-round co-featured event.

The undercard will feature popular Kansas City (KS) welterweight Marcell Davidson (6-0, 4 KOs) in a 4-round match versus Ociel Vazquez (2-1, 2 KOs), of Dallas. Davidson was a 2-time winner of The Ringside World Championships, as well as a 2019 National Golden Gloves Tournament gold medalist.

Leawood (KS) cruiserweight Ben Turla will make his pro debut in a 4-round match versus Randy “SPAWN” Martina (1-0, 1) from Fort Riley, Kansas. Turla was a 3-time national amateur champion, including top honors at the 2022 USA Boxing Elite Championships.

Opening the pro side of the card is a 4-round welterweight battle between Anthony Adams, Jr. (6-1, 5 KOs), of Kansas City (KS), and Topeka’s Marquis Hawthorne (1-0, 1 KO).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale and reasonably priced at $75.00 (reserved rows 1-3) and $40.00 (general admission) for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-homecoming-pro-boxing-in-olathe-ks-tickets-1513153987309?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Turner Boxing Academy at 913.515.6431 or www.turnerboxing.com for more information.

A 4-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card, starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, will precede the pro card.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT.

INFORMATION

Instagram: @_MarcoRomero @TurnerBoxingAcademy @KCFavoriteRealtor

Facebook: #MarcoRomero #TurnerBoxingAcademy

About Turner Boxing Academy: Turner Boxing Academy (TBA) is a non-profit youth boxing club run by volunteers who are passionate about the sport and the positive impact it has on young people. The academy is based inside the Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, Kansas. It is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for kids to learn and practice the art of boxing.

TBA is committed to instilling discipline, confidence, and a strong work ethic in our young athletes. We believe in the power of boxing to build character and resilience, and we are passionate about helping our students unlock their full potential both inside and outside the ring.

About McCarthy Auto Group: McCarthy Auto Group is a family-owned network of full-service automotive dealerships and repair centers, proudly headquartered in the Kansas City metro. With more than 30 years of deep-rooted local history, we’ve grown to operate 9 award-winning dealerships across Missouri and Kansas, along with 4 well-established Collision centers.

As a company of over 700 employees, it offers a wide selection of new and used vehicles backed by transparent financing, fair pricing, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. McCarthy Auto Group remains dedicated to giving back awarding over 60 local scholarships annually and supporting numerous community partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, American Cancer Society, Kansas City Crime Commission, area high schools, animal shelters, and many more.

About Safe Kids Johnson County: Safe Kids Johnson County (KS) is led by the Johnson County Health Department, which provides a dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving its common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, which help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

By Norm Frauenheim

Yesterday, today and tomorrow played out on a three-sided weekend last Saturday that summed up what boxing has been, is now and might soon become.

Manny Pacquiao brought the golden-oldie nostalgia. Oleksandr Usyk re-asserted himself as the best of this era and maybe a few others. And Jesse Rodriguez provided another preview at what could be next.

It’s hard to say just who made the biggest statement. Pacquiao’s enduring celebrity dominated the headlines and perhaps contributed to some of the frustration over the scorecards for his majority draw with Mario Barrios, who retained his welterweight title with a second successive draw. Maybe, there’s been some erosion in the 46-year-old Filipino’s skillset, but his likability is intact, as powerful as ever.

“Manny, Manny’’ chants filled the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena like a memorable lyric from an old pop song. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a welterweight champion again, but he’ll always be remembered more than the collection of forgettables among today’s belt-holders.

Pacquiao, who talked about a rematch with Barrios and already is mentioned as a possible challenger for Rolly Romero’s belt, reminds us of what we miss. There’s a huge risk there. He could get hurt. But he’ll fight on, and a Pied Piper-like crowd is sure to follow.

Pacquiao’s immense popularity is matched by what Usyk has in terms of respect for his discipline and smarts. He’s an undisputed heavyweight champion all over again with his stoppage of Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium.

It’s not exactly clear what undisputed means anymore. Acronyms get in the way with so-called mandatories and hollow threats to strip. Already, the World Boxing Organization is ordering Usyk to defend its piece of the heavyweight puzzle against Joseph Parker. 

Usyk hasn’t replied and doesn’t have to, of course. It’d be nice if these self-proclaimed ruling bodies quit issuing orders and just showed Usyk some mandatory respect. He’s a great champion, whose unbeaten record over 24 bouts is notable for what it doesn’t include. He’s never had a pro fight in his home country, war-torn Ukraine. Yet, he fights on, winning with an unerring instinct. To wit: He knows what he’s doing.

The stoppage of Dubois in a rematch has generated a lot of talk about how he would have done against the all-time greats in boxing’s fabled division. Even Muhammad Ali’s name has been dropped into the conversation. Who knows? It’s a fun argument, but it’s impossible to compare fighters from different generations.

I’m not even sure he’s the greatest Ukrainian heavyweight ever. Shouldn’t Wladimir Klitschko and brother Vitali Klitschko, now the major of Kyiv, be included in the conversation? I’m sure Usyk himself would mention them. Then again, Usyk knows something about respect for history, Ukrainian and boxing.

It’s not exactly clear what Usyk does next. Parker is an okay fight, but it doesn’t bring anybody to the edge of their seat or to a live-stream audience. At 38 – 39 in January, Usyk will be exiting his prime, a stage that Pacquiao left long ago.

In terms of prime time during last week’s triple-header, there was only Rodriguez, a poised and master tactician who continued to fulfill everything it means to be Super Fly by unifying the 115-pound belt with a 10^th-round stoppage of Phumelele Cafu in Frisco, Texas.

Rodriguez’ victory got less attention than Pacquiao and Usyk, but at one level it was the most significant bout of the three.

At 25, Rodriguez is 21 years younger than Pacquiao, 13 years younger than Usyk. Pacquiao and Usyk are moving on. So, too, is the way we watch boxing. ESPN is leaving ringside with its last Top Rank show Saturday featuring unbeaten Puerto Rican junior-middleweight Xander Zayas against Mexican Jorge Garcia in New York at The Theater in Madison Square Garden.

How we watch, who we watch is about to change.

Enter Bam, a nickname that Rodriguez manages to fulfill nearly every time he answers an opening bell. To be fair, it was hard to judge the Cafu victory. Cafu, a South African, was fighting in the United States for the first time after scoring a notable upset of Kosei Tanaka in Japan for a belt last October.

The circumstances dictated that Rodriguez do more than just win. He had to be brilliant. He was, delivering a methodical beatdown that led to a 10^th-round knockout at Ford Center on the Dallas Cowboys complex.

Short-term, it set up what had already been announced – Bam in a bid for a third Super Fly belt against Fernando Martinez Nov. 22 in Riyadh on a card that includes Phoenix-born David Benavidez in a light-heavyweight defense against Anthony Yarde.

Long-term, it puts Rodriguez a little bit closer to what has been a dream fight for a couple of years. On the pound-for-pound ratings, Rodriguez’ last victory put him within talking – if not striking – distance of Japanese star Naoya Inoue, the current junior-featherweight champion who is a consensus No. 2, second to Usyk.

Rodriguez, who jumped into the pound-for-pound debate with a stoppage last June of accomplished Juan Francisco Estrada in downtown Phoenix on the Suns home floor, is a consensus No. 5 in ratings released this week.

Bam’s victory over Cafu prompted his promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, to put him at No. 2, ahead of Inoue, who is not among Hearn’s favorites. He’s ripped Inoue for a resume that – Hearn says – includes weak opposition. His criticism of Inoue might have helped land Inoue’s next opponent, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Sept. 14 in Nagoya, Japan.

It’s no coincidence that Hearn also represents Akhmadaliev. It’s also no coincidence that Hearn publicly ranks Bam ahead of Inoue. Some early negotiations – opening salvos — have already begun.

A lot still has to fall into place if in fact Bam-versus-Inoue has any chance at ever happening. Inoue is projected to fight Mexican Alan David Picasso, perhaps in December.

Then, there’s Junto Nakatani, a unified bantamweight champion living and training in southern California. Just a couple of months ago, Nakatani had been calling out Bam. But that talk ended, abruptly, after Nakatani stopped Ryosuke Nishida June 8 in Tokyo.

Nakatani-versus-Inoue has been at the top of the want-to-see list for Japanese fans. It’s also at the top of fights most wanted by Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda, known simply as Mr. Honda.

Multiple sources in Japanese media and boxing circles told The Boxing Hour that Mr. Honda told Nakatani to forget about a fight with Bam any time soon. The reasoning is as clear as it is solid. Mr. Honda doesn’t want to risk Nakatani-Inoue, a fight expected to generate record receipts in Japan. In part, that’s an acknowledgement of just how dangerous – how good – Bam is.

The path is still there, if Inoue beats Akhmadaliev, Picasso and then Nakatani. There are doubts he can, in part because of the way he was knocked down by little-known Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas May 4.

Cardenas floored him in the second round. Inoue went on to win by TKO in the eighth. But there’s talk that Inoue would not have been able to get up if the knock-down punch had been delivered by Nakatani, who’s noted for his power.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez has to beat Martinez and then continue to win as he moves up the scale, first to 118 pounds and then 122.

A lot still has to happen. Last Saturday, a lot did.

NOTES

Thanks to emerging Mesa, AZ junior-welterweight Trini Ochoa (21-0, 9 KOs) for helping kids get ready for school while also helping the old-school boxing gym, Central, in downtown Phoenix (1755 West Van Buren Street) Saturday. Ochoa there (9 am to noon) to sign autographs, pose for pictures, pass out school supplies and help the famed gym raise funds for repairs to fix some vandalism on a mural, a west-facing wall covered with faces and memories from Arizona’s rich boxing history

Coming off a heavyweight blockbuster last weekend with Oleksandr Usyk emphatically knocking out Daniel Dubois in London, DAZN, the world’s leading sports and entertainment platform, is keeping the action rolling this week with the return of the GWOAT, Claressa Shields. The fights never stop on DAZN, with over 185 coming to fans this year from the world’s top promoters. 

Claressa Shields, the undefeated, undisputed women’s heavyweight boxing champion, defends her title in Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena against Lani Daniels this Saturday at 8pm ET. This will be the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and a five-division world champion’s second defense of the heavyweight title and her fourth-straight fight in her home state of Michigan.  

Coming up later this summer, Misfits Boxing returns to DAZN for MIsfits 22 from Manchester, England on August 30, featuring former UFC champion Luke Rockhold taking on former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till competing for the promotion’s bridgerweight title. In the co-main, former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will make his professional boxing debut against social media personality and boxer Nathaniel “Salt Papi” Bustamante in a tilt for the MFB interim middleweight championship. Misfits hosted an official launch press conference yesterday featuring the combatants, which can be viewed HERE.

History will be made on September 13, as Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will rematch for the vacant IBF Welterweight World Title on DAZN in the first-ever World Title fight to feature two boxers from the Island of Ireland. The bout will take place in front of what will surely be a raucous crowd inside Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. Crocker and Donovan first met in March of this year in a Final Eliminator for the IBF championship, with Crocker taking a controversial disqualification win at the end of the eighth round after Donovan was ruled to have punched after the bell, despite being well ahead on points. Full details on the rematch can be found at the end of this email.

Check out the below for the latest news and content from DAZN. 

NEWS & SOCIAL

• Claressa Shields vs Lani Daniels: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream
• Multi-platinum rapper to walk out with Claressa Shields for heavyweight title defence
• Who’s next for Usyk? Did Pacquiao deserve to win? ARIEL X ADE: THE BOXING SHOW EPISODE 35

• The ????? is back  @claressashields makes a second defence of her undisputed heavyweight titles 
• Claressa Shields fight this Saturday coming in as fast as her hands 
• The one moment that @claressashields wants fans to remember? 
• Learning combos off the ????? 
• “If I sucked, I would have more friends” 

CROCKER AND DONOVAN REMATCH FOR IBF WELTERWEIGHT CROWN AT CLEARER TWIST NATIONAL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK IN FIRST EVER ALL-IRISH WORLD TITLE FIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 13

Historic clash to be shown live worldwide on DAZN

Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will rematch for the vacant IBF Welterweight World Title at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast on Saturday September 13, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The historic clash will be the first time two boxers from the island of Ireland have met in a World Title fight, and the 18-500 capacity home of the Northern Ireland football team will host the biggest all-Irish fight ever.

The first meeting between the rivals earlier this year in March was a Final Eliminator for the IBF World Title and ended in highly controversial fashion with Belfast’s Crocker taking the win by disqualification at the SSE Arena.

Limerick’s Donovan, who had twice previously been deducted points, was disqualified at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell. ‘The Real Deal’ was well ahead on all three judge’s scorecards before his disqualification.

An appeal from Donovan’s team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch which would again serve as a Final Eliminator for the World Title – but with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis moving up to Super-Welterweight, the huge rematch will now be for the vacant World Title.

“This is the fight I’ve wanted since the final bell of the first one,” said Crocker. “To run it back for the IBF World Title — and to do it such an iconic stadium in Belfast, in front of my own people — is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life.

“This isn’t just a rematch. It’s my chance to silence the doubters and prove I’m the best welterweight in the world. I know exactly what I need to do — and on fight night, I’m leaving with that World Title.”

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere in Belfast on fight night,” said Donovan. “I’m looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight and come home with a World Title. I can’t wait!”

“This is absolutely huge – the first ever all-Irish World Title fight,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The first meeting between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan had it all – an electric build-up, guts, knockdowns and a hugely controversial ending. That drama-filled night in March has set the rematch up perfectly, and September 13 promises to be even bigger and better.

“We expect a sell-out crowd at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast and one of the best atmospheres you’ve ever witnessed in Irish boxing – you do not want to miss this one. The first boxing event at Windsor Park since Irish icon Carl Frampton headlined here back in 2018, and the main event couldn’t be more fitting. Two of the best Welterweights in the world battling it out for the IBF World Title. Watch it live around the world only on DAZN.”

“This is a monumental occasion — the first ever all-Irish World Title fight,” said Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan. “The controversy surrounding the first bout, combined with the fact that it’s taking place at Northern Ireland’s national stadium, takes an already massive fight and makes it truly historic.

“Lewis Crocker lives just a stone’s throw from Windsor and has followed Linfield Football Club since he was a boy, so for his first World Title fight to be held at the stadium is something out of a dream. This isn’t just a fight — it’s a moment in Irish boxing history, and Lewis is ready to seize it.”

Irish FA Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson, said: “Live sport unites communities across Northern Ireland, and we’re thrilled to build on the success of our previous boxing event in August 2018.

“We are proud to be partnering with Matchroom in hosting this world championship bout that not only showcases top-tier boxing but also highlights the versatility of the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park as a multi-purpose venue.”

“The first battle ended in highly controversial fashion, and I can’t wait to see them run it back – this time for world honours,” said Alfie Sharman VP DAZN. “It was a brilliant back and forth in front of an electric crowd. The rematch promises so much more. I expect Donovan to bring that same energy and Crocker to be better than before. It has all the makings of a classic. Watch it live and exclusive only on DAZN.”

Daniel DuBois had a ring walk full of fireworks and pyrotechnics, but it was Oleksandr Usyk who brought inferno as Usyk became the Undisputed Heavyweight champion for a second time with an emphatic fifth round destruction in front of over 90,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

In round five, Usyk landed a perfect counter right hook that put DuBois down to the canvas. Usyk then landed a perfect left to the jaw that put DuBois with a defeated and bewildered look on his face and did not beat the count at

Okolie Decisions Lerena

Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kevin Lerena in a heavyweight bout.

Okolie, 262.4 lbs of London won by scores of 100-90 twice and99-91 and is now 22-1. Lerena, 232.5 lbs of Johannesburg, SA is 31-4

Daniel Lapin Wins Majority Decision over Lewis Edmondson

In a battle of undefeated light heavyweights, Daniel Lapin won a 10-round majority decision over Lewis Edmindson.

Lapin, 174.13 lbs of Kyiv, UK won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95 and is now 12-0. Edmindson, 174.13 lbs of Soutampton, ENG is 11-1.

Dacres Decisons Sirenko

Solomon Dacres won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Vladyslav Sirenko in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 235.9 lbs of Birmingham, UK won by scores of 99-91, 99-92 and 98-92 and is now 10-1. Sirenko, 256.3 lbs of Kiev, UKR is 22-1-1.

Adam Hamed remained undefeated with a four-round decision over Ezequiel Gregores in welterweight bout.

Hamed, 144.3 lbs of Dubai via Manchester won by a 40-36 score and is now 6-0. Gregores, 145.10 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 3-25.

Lasha Guruli beat down James Francis and their eight-round junior welterweight bout was stopped after in round five.

The corner pulled Francis from the fight officially at two seconds round five,

Guruli, 139.15 lbs of Georgia Republic is 2-0 with knockout. Francis, 137.12 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 7-2.

The Undisputed Heavyweight Championship – 12 X 3 Minute Rounds Contest
Oleksandr Usyk – 227.3lbs
Daniel Dubois – 243.8lbs

WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship – 10 X 3 Minute Rounds Contest
Lawrence Okolie – 262.4lbs
Kevin Lerena – 232.5lbs

The IBF Inter-continental, WBO and WBA International Light-Heavyweight Championship – 10 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Heavyweight Contest
Daniel Lapin – 174.13lbs
Lewis Edmonson – 174.13lbs

10 X 3 Minute Rounds Heavyweight Contest
Vladyslav Sirenko – 256.3lbs
Solomon Dacres – 235.9lbs

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Lightweight Contest
Aadam Hamed – 144.13lbs
Ezequiel Gregores – 145.10lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Leightweight Contest
Lasha Guruli – 139.5lbs
James Francis – 137.12lbs

UNDISPUTED PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES:

THE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT Championship of the World showdown between unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF King Daniel Dubois takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in front of in excess of 90,000 fans.

Today, at Wembley Stadium, the final words were exchanged between the pair at the pre-fight press conference and below are a selection of key quotes from this media event.

Frank Warren
“I am excited because it is such a phenomenal, historic fight. Four belts on the line for the first time in the UK and Daniel’s chance for greatness. To become a British icon by winning these belts.

“How’s it going? We are nigh on sold out. The atmosphere on Saturday night is going to be amazing. Amazing, everybody is going to love what they see and it is going to be an unbelievable, competitive, great fight.

“I think he (Daniel) is coming into his prime. He’s had great grounding, if you look at his resume, at his age, he has probably fought the best out of any heavyweight. He has got the experience, he’s got a great team behind him. They have shared a ring, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He knows he can hurt Oleksandr, he’s done that before and I feel, genuinely, this is going to be his time.

“He is on a roll like you cannot believe, beaten world class fighters, undefeated fighters, two-time world champions and done it in style. I think he is gonna do it, I really do believe he will on Saturday night. He will beat one of the great, great champions in heavyweight boxing.”

Daniel Dubois
“I have prepared right and I am just on a different level now, ready to go for whatever I need to on Saturday and get all them belts. I am chasing glory and I am chasing greatness. All of it (when asked what means more), the whole thing, this is history-making and I’ve got to do a real demolition job. I am hungry and ready for it.

“Right now I just want to get it on. I am going to write my own script now. They’ve got a script and I’m going to write my own. I am going to win these belts and I am going to be the man.

“I have been getting a lot of confidence just from my training and what I’ve done in the gym, the shots I’ve been landing on the people I’ve been sparring. All of that is inside of me and it’s built up. I am ready to let it out now.

“It don’t mean sh*t to me that (Canelo placing bet on Usyk), he’s gonna lose his money. I am just focused now. Let’s get it on.

“It’s facts (Usyk feeling his age). I know what I’ve gotta do. I am a young guy and I’ve got to take over, be the man and execute him.

“I am going to make this a great fight. I feel at the moment I am at the peak of my powers and it is going to be a great performance.”

Oleksandr Usyk
“Hello London. I am happy to be here again. Why will it be my night? Because I believe in this, I hope and I prepare for this fight. Listen, every one of my fights is important to me and my team. Now it is very important for me and my country, the soldiers who protect my country. It is motivation for my people. It is very important for me!

“Listen, I respect this guy, this young guy. This guy is motivated, but I am too. I am not an old guy. 38 is not old. We will see on Saturday. It’s God’s will.

“Yeah I believe this (winning inside distance).”

LONDON – July 16, 2025 – BeforeWBA, WBC and The Ring Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF titleholder Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois clash for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship, the pair and other fighters on the card stepped into the ring at Box Park Wembley today for an open workout in front of fans and media. One of the biggest events in recent British boxing history, the card takes place this Saturday, July 19, live exclusively on DAZN PPV (12:30 p.m. ET) from London’s Wembley Stadium, brought to fans by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. 

Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) met for the first time in 2023, where the Ukrainian champion won by 9th round KO. However, the bout did come with controversy, as earlier in the fight, Dubois landed what was deemed a low blow by the referee, who allowed Usyk ample time to recover. To this day, Dubois defends that it was a legal punch. Since then, Dubois has won three fights in a row by stoppage, picking up the IBF Heavyweight Championship Usyk vacated after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in two decades in 2024.

Also appearing during today’s open workout ahead of their respective bouts on Saturday were WBC Silver Heavyweight titleholder Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs) and current WBC Bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena (31-3, 15 KOs),  and IBF Intercontinental and WBC Continental Light Heavyweight titlist Daniel Lapin (11-0, 4 KOs) and Lewis Edmondson (11-0, 3 KOs). In preliminary action, heavyweights Vladyslav Sirenko (22-0, 19 KOs) and Solomon Dacres (9-1, 3 KOs)along with two super lightweight bouts featuring  “Prince” Aadam Hamed (5-0, 3 KOs)and Ezequiel Gregores (3-24, 0 KO) as well as James Francis (7-1, 1 KO) and 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist from Georgia Lasha Garulli (1-0) will kick off the night. 

Below is what a selection of fighters had to say following their workouts:

Daniel Dubois

On how he is feeling going into Saturday

“I’m switched on and focused. I’m ready to cause chaos in that ring, I’m ready to go.”

On what the support of the fans here in London means to him

I’m grateful for this opportunity and I’m ready to seize it, I’m ready for the moment.”

On what winning the undisputed heavyweight title would mean to him and his team

“To the whole team, it means a lot to all of us. We worked hard for this. We’re not going to let this one go.”

Solomon Dacres

On coming into this fight in impressive shape

“I’ve just been working. Obviously, my last fight was in December, so I’ve been working a good solid 6-7 months, working on my strength and conditioning, sparring and everything. Always working to improve all the time.”

On if his loss in his last fight might have been the best thing for his career. 

“100%… Like you said, in this career it’s not going to be a straight line, something’s going to happen, you’re going to have a blip. That was my blip right there, my last fight, so next time out, I’m going to get things much better.”

On if it’s more important to him to be impressive or win by any means necessary?

“A bit of both really. But winning is the ultimate really because I’m coming off the defeat. I’ve got to win to get myself back in the picture and winning is going to do that. I’m coming straight back in against a 22-0 guy, there’s no rebuilding, it’s straight back in there and show what I’m made of.”

On accepting this opponent on short notice

“I just said we’ve got to take the opportunity. I wouldn’t take the fight if I didn’t think I was going to win it. I’ve been training all the time. Obviously you want more notice. I got three weeks notice, but I’m in generally good shape all the time so it wasn’t tough to ramp it up for a few weeks.”

Aadam Hamed

On his legendary father, “Prince” Naseem Hamed

“He paved the way for me and now it’s time for me to continue the legacy.”

On what fans can expect from his fight on Saturday

“Expect fireworks.”

This Saturday, July 19, London’s iconic Wembley Stadium will host a high-stakes showdown as Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) faces off against Britain’s Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) in a direct rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

Their first meeting took place in August 2023, when Usyk stopped Dubois via ninth-round TKO in a fight that stirred controversy. A contentious low blow from Dubois momentarily halted the action, igniting debate across social media. Usyk, ever the technician, regained composure and closed the show with authority—but Dubois left the impression that he had the tools to trouble the champion.

Since that night, Usyk hasn’t slowed down. He scored a unanimous decision win over Tyson Fury in May 2024, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century. At 38, the former cruiserweight king continues to shine with a slick, cerebral style, relentless pace, and the ability to adjust to any opponent. He remains undefeated through 23 bouts.

Dubois, just 27, has undergone a transformation since their first clash. He stunned the boxing world last September by knocking out Anthony Joshua in the ninth round and has racked up four straight wins since. With 21 knockouts in 22 victories, the Brit enters the rematch loaded with power, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. His team insists he’s improved defensively, moves better, and has sharpened his ring IQ.

This fight will shape the current and future landscape of the heavyweight division. Usyk looks to cement his legacy as an undisputed champion in two weight classes. Dubois aims to flip the script in front of more than 80,000 fans on home soil. Both men are ready. The ring will reveal who stays on top.

Coming off a blockbuster weekend in New York City, DAZN, the world’s leading sports and entertainment platform, is continuing its action-packed summer of boxing this week with a doubleheader of championship contests, including a clash of the titans for the undisputed heavyweight championship from London. The fights never stop on DAZN, with over 185 coming to fans this year from the world’s top promoters. 

WBA, WBC, and WBO Champion Oleksandr Usyk steps back into the ring against IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois this Saturday, July 19 in London’s Wembley Stadium live exclusively on DAZN PPV. It is a rematch from their 2023 encounter that saw Usyk win by stoppage in round 9. That bout was not without controversy, as Dubois still claims that his 5th round low blow was a legal punch, which the referee allowed Usyk nearly 4 minutes to recover from. 

Following Usyk – Dubois,  eyes will turn back to the United States for a super-flyweight unification fight with WBC beltholder Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (21-0) returning to his home state of Texas to take on South Africa’s WBO champion Phumelele Cafu (11-0-3) beginning at 7pm ET.

Below, please find a schedule of all the media activities happening in London this week that viewers can find on DAZN:

• Wednesday, July 16, 11 AM ET: Open Workout Livestream
• Thursday, July 17, 8 AM ET: Press Conference Livestream
• Friday, July 18, 10 AM ET: Weigh-In Livestream
• July, 19, 12:30 PM ET: DAZN Broadcast begins

SOCIAL

• Oleksandr Usyk’s INTENSE training camp in Spain | DAZN On the Ground
• Daniel Dubois wants revenge! DAZN On the Ground
• “I love my British opponents” | Oleksandr Usyk interview with Carl Frampton
• I Know I Can Do It Again! | Daniel Dubois Interview With Carl Frampton
• Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2 | The Debate
• Rob Beckett steps into the ring with Daniel Dubois, what could possibly go wrong? 
• The mind games have begun. 
•  What factors will determine the outcome of Usyk vs. Dubois 2? Let’s look at the numbers via @rtfight_com
• ?????? ????? ?? with @dynamite_daniel_dubois 

A NEW UNDISPUTED heavyweight champion of the world will be crowned on Saturday, July 19 at Wembley Stadium, the home of English football, where unified WBC, WBO and WBA world champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF world champion Daniel Dubois will fight for all the belts in a historic event on UK soil, broadcast live on DAZN Worldwide and promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren for Queensberry and Ready To Fight.

The fighters will come face-to-face at the launch press conference at 2pm on Tuesday, 29 April. Tickets for the blockbuster undisputed clash go on general sale at 12pm on Wednesday, 30 April available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts to receive the ticket link directly into their inboxes.

Under the sponsorship of Riyadh Season, Usyk and Dubois will now battle to unite all the heavyweight titles for the second time in 14 months, with the previous undisputed clash having taken place in November 1999 when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield. 

For Oleksandr Usyk, 38, this fight is an attempt to become the undisputed champion for the third time. The Ukrainian first won this title in cruiserweight in 2018. Later, in May 2024, Usyk subsequently entered into his original undisputed match with WBC champion Tyson Fury in May 2024 and was declared victor via a split decision, before repeating his success with unified honours at stake in December.

For Dubois, it is a rematch of their first meeting in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023, where his body shot in the fifth round was deemed illegal by the referee and Usyk was afforded over four minutes of recovery time. Deflated by the overrule of his knockdown and ultimately stopped in the ninth, Dubois never agreed with the referee’s decision and has been pushing for a rematch ever since.

Since his Usyk reverse, Dubois, 27, has put together a treble of resounding victories by overcoming the previously undefeated Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, followed by a Wembley destruction of former unified champion Anthony Joshua.

His IBF Interim title success over Hrgovic was later upgraded to full champion status, with his encounter with Joshua being his first defence of the title. A scheduled second defence against former WBO world champion Joseph Parker in February was called off at late notice due to illness.

Never before has an undisputed heavyweight championship been fought for on British soil and attendance and viewing figure records in the UK and Europe are likely to be shattered on what will be a monumental night for the sport.

“I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to once again fight for the undisputed championship,” said Oleksandr Usyk. “Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt – now I want it back.”

“This is the fight I wanted and demanded and now I get my chance for revenge against Oleksandr Usyk,” said Dubois. “I should have won the first fight and was denied by the judgement of the referee, so I will make no mistake this time around in front of my people at the national stadium in my home city. I am a superior and more dangerous fighter now and Usyk will find this out for himself on July 19. I would like to thank my promoter Frank for making this happen for me and I intend to repay him by becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”

“I am thrilled to deliver this historic undisputed occasion for Daniel at Wembley Stadium,” said promoter Frank Warren. “It will be an honour to promote a sporting event of this magnitude and a privilege to bring over a champion of the stature of Oleksandr. I would like to thank Oleksandr and his team at Ready to Fight for their great cooperation in making this fight become a reality. I am certain that we will see the best of British both in and outside of the ring, from Daniel and the unrivalled fight fans who will pack out the biggest sporting venue in the country.”

“Both teams have done tremendous work to make this fight a reality. Even more work is waiting ahead, especially for Oleksandr and Daniel themselves. I’m confident no one will be left disappointed,” said Egis Klimas, Oleksandr Usyk’s manager. 

“Thank you to Queensberry Promotions for the cooperation, as well as Riyadh Season and DAZN for their support,” said Sergey Lapin, the CEO of Ready To Fight and Usyk’s team director. “This will not only be a great bout, but also a unique event in terms of entertainment. We are ready to deliver the Undisputed Resolution to all boxing fans worldwide.”

“We are delighted to add Usyk vs Dubois II to the DAZN calendar,” said Michael Ridout, EVP New Business, DAZN. “An already packed fight diary has just got bigger with such an era-defining fight at the home of English Football. Usyk, a nailed-on future Hall-of Famer, puts his legacy on the line against Dubois, a fighter who sees this as an opportunity to right a wrong. I personally cannot wait for this match-up and look forward to showing fans around the World in the build-up, and on fight night, why DAZN is the global home of boxing.”

The fighters will come face-to-face at the launch press conference at 2pm on Tuesday, 29 April. Tickets for the blockbuster undisputed clash go on general sale at 12pm on Wednesday, 30 April available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

New York – Undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will attend the 100^th Annual Boxing Writers Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, April 30 in New York City. Usyk will travel from London to accept the 2024 Fighter of the Year Award as well as the 2024 Fight of the Year Award for the Usyk – Fury I fight.

The event will take place at the Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47^th Street, starting at 7 PM for cocktails followed by dinner, open bar, awards, and gift bag for all guests.  A limited number of VIP tickets and regular tickets remain. For more information, visit www.bwaa.org.

Other boxing luminaries to be honored that evening include Gabriela Fundora (Female Fighter of the Year), Egis Klimas (Usyk’s manager), trainer Robert Garcia, legendary sports announcer Marv Albert, Bruce Silverglade of Gleason’s Gym, Brad Goodman of Top Rank, and writer Thomas Gerbasi, who will receive the Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism.  Steve Albert will serve as the MC for the award ceremony.

The winners of the Bernie Awards, BWAA members who topped the competition with honors in the BWAA writing contest for 2024, will be celebrated. A silent auction of sports and other memorabilia will also take place, including autographed boxing gloves, books, and posters.

For more information: www.bwaa.org or call Gina Andriolo at 917-312-6418.

No tickets will be sold at the door.  Tickets must be reserved and paid for in advance by Monday, April 28^th.

By Norm Frauenheim

Legacy is this generation’s tired cliche. Actually, it’s more than just that. It’s silly, a refrain repeated by fighters more idle than busy. Legacy has been transformed into just another argument, which makes it about as cheap as another title belt. Just about everybody has one, or thinks they deserve one. 

But there is an exception:

Oleksandr Usyk.

His decision — unanimous on identical scorecards and tactically thorough throughout 12 rounds — over Tyson Fury last Saturday has led to a yada-yada debate about his place in heavyweight history. He’s an all-timer. No, he’s not. Hell, yes, he is. Opinion, more plentiful than even those aforementioned belts, is also like legacy these days. On social media, everybody has one. A boxing acronym would say it’s mandatory. Meaningless, too. 

Usyk, I think, knows that. His voice is missing from the debate his victory ignited. Above all, he has already delivered a solid argument, one that will be fairly judged and best decided over time. He has beaten Fury twice, nearly stopping the much bigger man in their first encounter and dominating him on the cards — 116-112 on all three — in the second.

Each fight provides a further look at Usyk, whose ring persona is beginning to say a lot about who he is outside of the ropes. In his two fights against Usyk, it’s clear — make that undisputed — that he fights with purpose. As a tactician, he possesses some deadly determination. He’s stubbornly sure of himself and what he can do. Nothing Fury said or sang could interrupt a focus that was evident on any television screen. What’s more, it was there, from Round 1 to Round 24, in Fury’s face, a mix of confusion and frustration

Fury’s clowning is a lot more than a lousy lounge act. It’s been a Fury tactic, effective against Deontay Wilder and others. Distract the opponent, anger him and then turn him into the punch line. But Usyk would not fall for the Fury feints and foolishness. In effect, Usyk turned the stand-up routine in Fury’s skillset into a significant, perhaps, fatal weakness.

Simply put: He wouldn’t allow Fury to be himself. That’s an art, performed only by some of the all-timers. Muhammad Ali did it to George Foreman with the Rope-A-Dope on a 1974 night in Africa forever memorialized in the film, When We Were Kings.

I don’t know if Fury will be back. Maybe, he returns for a fight against Anthony Joshua or somebody else who would fall for his tricks, a show that still sells.

I don’t know if Uysk will be back. Maybe, he goes back to cruiserweight. He talked about it. Maybe, he fights Daniel Dubois, who made a fool of himself when he climbed into the ring and tried to goad Usyk into a rematch. 

It was a flashback to the aftermath of his split-decision over Joshua in a rematch August, 2022. Joshua, acting very much like a big toddler throwing a heavyweight tantrum, threw belts out of the ring, grabbed the microphone and later cried at the post-fight newser. All the while, Usyk, looking like the only grown up in boxing’s overgrown kindergarten, remained patient, poised and ever purposeful.

During Saturday night’s aftermath in Riyadh, there was a further sign — a powerful symbol — that Usyk is fighting for something more than just another belt or some more Saudi cash. Instead of a belt, he held an ancient sword above his head. The saber, according to Ukrainian media, belonged to Ivan Mazepa, a warrior who used it to fight for Ukraine’s independence from Russia three centuries ago.

It’s a story I didn’t know. It’s a story boxing fans beyond Ukraine’s bloodied front lines don’t know. It’s a story that today’s  Russians are trying to bury in their ongoing war against the Ukrainians

It’s also a story worth telling, one that helps explain Usyk, a fighter with a purpose bigger than himself and one that will eventually put him among the all-time greats, no matter what is said today.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – December 20, 2024 – Ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) faced off one last time at the official weigh-in before they go toe-to-toe on Saturday, December 21 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Also in action is a heavyweight clash between top teenage prospect Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) and Australian knockout artist, Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs).

On the main card, former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs), will take on Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs). Fans can then look forward to watching  undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) square off against former Commonwealth title challenger David Allen (23-6, 18 KOs). Former Olympian, Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs) will face off against an undefeated Rhys Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs), while Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) will fight former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout. Fighting out of Ukraine, undefeated Daniel Lapin (10-0, 4 KOs) will take on another undefeated fighter, Dylan Colin (14-0, 4 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout, and to kickoff the night, fans will witness knockout specialist Andrii Novytskyi (13-0, 10 KOs) confront Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in an exciting heavyweight bout. 

The Oleksandr Usyk / Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, with no DAZN subscription necessary. The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform. The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com. 

Please see below for official weights and see what fighters had to say ahead of tomorrow’s event:

MAIN EVENT: WBC WORLD, WBO WORLD, WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE – 12 ROUNDS  

Oleksandr Usyk vs.      ????????????Tyson Fury

Shypyntsi, Ukraine                             Lancashire, United Kingdom

22-0 (14 KOs)                                     34-1-1 (24 KOs) 

226 LBS                                              281 LBS

CO-MAIN EVENT: HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT (201+ LBS) – 10 ROUNDS 

Moses Itauma                         vs.      Demsey McKean 

Kent, United Kingdom                                    Queensland, Australia 

22-0 (10 KOs)                                                 22-1 (14 KOs)

249.1 LBS                                                       251.1 LBS

LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT (154 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS 

Serhii Bohachuk vs.      ??????????????????Ishmael Davis 

Vinnytsia, Ukraine                                          Yorkshire, United Kingdom 

24-2 (23 KOs)                                                13-1 (6 KOs)

153.1 LBS                                                      153.6 LBS

HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT (201+ LBS) – 10 ROUNDS 

Johnny Fisher                    vs.      David Allen 

London, United Kingdom                        Yorkshire, United Kingdom 

12-0 (11 KOs)                                                23-6, 18 KOs

241.1 LBS                                                      257.6 LBS 

INTERNATIONAL SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST – 10 ROUNDS

Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards

10-1 (6 KOs) / 16-0 (4 KOs)

Liverpool, United Kingdom / Merseyside, United Kingdom

129.8 LBS / 129.1 LBS

WBA CONTINENTAL USA FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT (130 LBS) – 10 ROUNDS

Isaac Lowe                           vs.      ????????Lee McGregor 

Lancashire, United Kingdom                          Edinburgh, Scotland 

25-2-3 (8 KOs)                                               14-1-1 (11 KOs)

125.1 LBS                                                      125.9 LBS

WBA CONTINENTAL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS

Dylan Colin vs. Daniel Lapin

Meurthe-et-Moselle, France / Wroclaw, Poland

14-0 (4 KOs) / 10-0 (4 KOs)

173.1 LBS / 174.9 LBS

WBC INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS

Edgar Ramirez vs. Andrii Novytskyi

10-1-1 (4 KOs) / 13-0 (10 KOs)

Ecatepec de Morelos, México / Odessa, Ukraine

261.1 LBS / 237 LBS

PRELIM:  BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT (135 LBS) – 4 ROUNDS

Joshua Ocampo vs.      Muhammad Alakel

Cúcuta, Colombia          Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

8-33-5 (6 KOs)                1-0

133.4 LBS                        134.1 LBS

Oleksandr Usyk

Q: You just faced Tyson Fury for the last time before stepping into the ring. What are you feeling?

“Nothing.”

Q: None of this gets to you. How do you pull that off?

“My angel helps me, God and Jesus help me, as well as my family and my team.”

Q: Who will you dedicate this fight to?

“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

Demsey McKean

Q: 24 hours to go. What are your thoughts?

“I just have to get in there and do the business. We’ve put in the hours and twelve weeks of training camp has brought us to this moment. I’m excited and more than ready for this.”

Q: What is your plan on messing up his (Moses’) party?

“Winning the fight. Punching him more than he punches me and inflicting more damage than he does to me. We’re confident in our game plan and skillset and just have to put it all in play.”

Moses Itauma

Q: Tell us what’s going on in the mind of Moses Itauma?

“Nothing really, I’m ready to go. I’m trying to perform in front of the crow and put on a big show and do my thing. I’m more than pleased and I’ve put myself in this position and now I’m going to grab it with both hands and not let go.”

Q: We’ve seen you just a little bit heavier in this fight than previously. Is there any thought behind that?

“I’ve got more weight in my punches now. We’ll see tomorrow.”

Ishmael Davis

Q: You’re fighting on late notice, what does it mean to you to be here?

“It means everything. I want to thank the man to my right, Eddie, for giving me the chance again. These are the chances that make great people. Let’s see what he’s got.”

Q: What kind of statement do you need to do?

 “I just need to get the win. That’s all I need to do.”

Serhii Bohachuk

Q: How do you feel about the change in opponent? He’s very ambitious.

“It doesn’t matter who. I’m ready for this fight. I’ve prepared, had many different sparring partners. I have a lot of experience.”

Q: A win takes you closer to your dream, how does that feel?

“I’m happy and excited of course. It’s a big chance for me and I want this.”

Q: Very proud to have that Ukrainian flag behind you. What would this mean to you and your country tomorrow night?

“In Ukraine, it’s a hard time right now. I want to motivate my people. I want to win and show my people that Ukraine is full of winning people.”

Dave Allen

Q: You’ve said this is the best you’ve ever felt because you’ve never been so motivated to win this fight against Johnny Fisher. What is burning those fires so brightly for Dave Allen?

“This is the one. This is the one people will remember me for, and I want to be remembered for being one hell of a man.”

Q: If Johnny Fisher comes steaming at you, what do you believe happens?

“A big mistake. This is a big step up, no one’s ever run up to me before. I’ve been beaten, I’ve been out-boxed, but I will never be out-fought. If he wants to play those games, you know what they say about feathers and stuff, so we’ll see.”

Johnny Fisher

Q: You’ve just heard from Dave. You’re making a ‘big mistake’ – what do you have to say about that?

“There’s no mistake in this game because I leave no stone unturned. I’m ready for whatever is thrown at me. I’ve got huge power and a huge heart and I’m going to show all of that tomorrow.”

Q: This is perhaps the biggest challenge you have. Why is this so important to you?

“My next fight, whoever it is, is always my biggest challenge. The opposition never matters to me. It matters what I can do. I’m going to do what I do every time and that’s bringing heat.”

Lee McGregor

Q: Tempers rising, that tends to be the case less than 24 hours to go. Tell us what was being said between yourself and Isaac Lowe?

“That’s the good thing about this. We get to find out tomorrow, all the talking has been done. It’s time to go to work.”

Q: What do you believe in the ring will be the difference and his reality once the bell rings?

“He’s saying that I’ve got no heart. That’s one thing I’ve got. You cannot question my heart and I told him that. I said we’ll see tomorrow.”

Q: What do you believe this moment represents in the Lee McGregor story?

“This is a new chapter for me. I’ve been through so much, got through so much and now’s my time to announce myself to the world, and I’m going to do it. Trust me.”

Isaac Lowe

Q: You just heard that this is Lee McGregor’s chapter. What do you have to say about that? 

“We’ll see tomorrow night when he gets put to sleep. He said it’s the best version of Lee McGregor, and I hope it is. It’s the best version of Isaac Lowe and trust me, he is getting put to sleep tomorrow night. I am going to die in that ring.”

Q: There’s talk that this could be the fight that steals the show. What are your thoughts on that?

“Yes, 100%. There’s no pressure, this is the fun part. This will be a good fight, Lee’s a tough kid, coming forward. But there’s no one like me. I’m strong, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.”

Andrii Novytskyi

Q: Your opponent is almost 20 pounds heavier. What do you need to do only 24 hours away from getting into the ring?

“It’s okay he’s a little bit heavier. I’m heavy too but I am faster. I am so excited for this fight and I will show you a very good fight. December 21, let’s do it.”

Peter McGrail

Q: You finally get a faceoff with your opponent 24 hours away from getting into the ring. What are your impressions?

“Big respect to Rhys and his team for taking this fight on short notice. It gives me the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage of them all. It feels a lot more real now and we’re ready to go tomorrow.”

Q: “For you, this is perhaps the heaviest you’ve ever been. How is that going to work for you?” 

“That’s made fight week much easier for me, I’ve been eating very well and it’s going to show in the ring. I’m feeling ready, feeling strong, I’m in great shape and looking forward to performing on Saturday.”

Rhys Edwards

Q: When the call came to face Peter McGrail this week, what made this an easy decision for you and your team?

“It was an easy choice, I’m grateful to be here. Can’t wait to get in tomorrow and do the job.” 

Q: You’re an unbeaten fighter. What gives you the self belief that you can turn up here from what you’ve seen of Peter McGrail and cause what would be an upset because of the late notice?

“I know Peter is a very good fighter but I believe in myself also. I’ve sparred some top people and I know I’m very good. I’m looking forward to it.”

Mohammed Alakel

Q: What are your thoughts to your opponent saying it will be a great show?

“I’m excited, all the hard work is done and it’s now time to have fun.”

Joshua Ocampo

Q: What problems can you cause young fighters like Mohammaed Alakel who are just finding their feet as professionals?

“Would be my experience. There’s a lot of fights, a lot of times I’ve been in the ring. I hope it will be a very good show.”

About DAZN:

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Oleksandr Usyk, never a man of many words, has had even fewer this week, just days before a sequel that has all of social-media’s usual suspects talking. 

But Usyk doesn’t have to say much, if anything, before a rematch full of its own redundancies. His name already says it best.

Oleksandr, which is of Greek origin, means:

To Defend.

It’s a goal as clear as it is risky against Tyson Fury, whose heavyweight resume is a masterpiece collection of adjustments within fights and between them.

To wit: He doesn’t lose rematches. 

Then again, neither does Usyk. 

That’s about to change Saturday (DAZN) in Riyadh in a rematch perhaps as significant as any in the history of boxing’s fabled flagship division.

Of course, Fury, unlike Usyk, has had a lot to say this week without really saying anything at all.

“The biggest adjustment I’ve made is to grow a beard,’’ Fury said after he arrived in Saudi Arabia to a parade that added a few octaves and exclamation points to what over-the-top means.

Fury has always been better with lyrics and one liners than just anybody in the crowded trash-talking corner of the noisy game. It’s part lousy-lounge act. But it’s also a tactic, one he has used with great effect throughout his heavyweight reign. 

After opening bell, his brilliant feint is a weapon. Before opening bell, he weaponizes his words. 

It worked against Deontay Wilder, especially in their first rematch when the dangerous Wilder tried to blame the sudden loss of his singular power on fatigue he said he suffered by wearing an armored medieval costume in his ring walk. 

Truth is, Wilder didn’t know who the heck he was anymore. He had lost his feared identity, his armor of confidence, on the night Fury got up from his power six years ago in Los Angeles, in a wild draw. 

Fury then reminded him of that repeatedly — hauntingly — during the weeks and months before their first rematch — won by Fury in a seventh-round TKO — February 2020 in Las Vegas.

Wilder was embarrassed then. Later, he was destroyed in a concussive conclusion to the trilogy, five knockdowns of violence that ended in Fury winning an 11th-round KO October 2021, also in Vegas.

Fury dominated Wilder, both physically and psychologically, perhaps finishing his career. 

The damage done to Fury is still an open question, one that Usyk surely hopes to answer Saturday in the rematch to his contentious split decision over Fury seven months ago. 

Fury swears he’s in better condition. He says he went into seclusion in training at a camp in Malta. He says he didn’t speak to his wife for months. She might have been relieved. Just joking, I think. This time, he says he won’t clown around. This time, he says he promises to deliver only pain. 

Blah-blah-blah. By now, we’ve heard it all from Fury.

So, too, has Usyk.

A difference, however, is that Usyk, unlike Wilder, doesn’t really listen. At least, he doesn’t appear to react to anything said or sung by Fury. Usyk — poised, patient and menacing — is his own counsel. 

Amid everything he didn’t say this week, he had one comment, quotable if you’re the media and perhaps foreboding if you’re Usyk.

“Don’t be afraid,’’ Usyk said at a final news conference that included an unblinking, 12-minute stare-down. “I will not leave you alone.’’

By now, Fury knows that. Since May, I’m guessing he has had dreams of Usyk, always there and always in his face. 

In a style that borders on a battle of attrition, the smaller Usyk, stubborn and stealthy, tirelessly works his way inside. It a risk, big enough to be costly for Usyk, especially in the early rounds.

Fury knows that. Fury’s immense advantages in size and power could end this fight before the sixth round. If, however, Usyk is able to push the fight into the seventh, then the eighth and again into the ninth, perhaps he has a chance to finish what he could not in their first fight. 

That’s when he hurt a fading Fury badly. He didn’t stop him, although there’s a solid argument that it should have ended, then and there. But a knockdown was ruled, which was enough for Usyk to win on two of the three scorecards.

It was close, but close is when Usyk is at his very best. Fury is best at pulling off the dramatic. Only Fury got up from the full impact of the lethal power in Wilder’s right hand. Only he could survive that right once more, get up all over again and knock out Wilder in a scary third encounter. 

Guess here: Each fighter knows the other very well by now. For Usyk, the task is to endure an early assault, then launch one of his own later. For Fury, the test is to end it, close the show as fast as possible.

There’s a temptation to predict that this one ends in a draw. Yes, that’s cynical, but some cynicism is a fight fan’s best defense. Riyadh, Matchroom, Top Rank and DAZN would love a third fight. 

A close first fight suggests that the second will be too, which also would probably lead to a trilogy. Neither Usyk nor Fury is young. But they’re not exactly old either. Usyk is 37. He’ll be 38 on Jan. 17. Fury is 36. He’ll be 37 on August 12.

A rematch clause is in place, according to Fury promoter Frank Warren.

“It’s contracted,” Warren told Boxing News. “That will be the case if Tyson wins, providing nobody retires.”

Providing, too, that Usyk, the defending champion, doesn’t do what his name has always told him:

To Defend.

RIYADH – (December 19, 2024) – Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) held their final press conference today at the Riyadh Season ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, December 21 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Further action on the card will feature former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) who will face British boxer Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs) in a 12-round super welterweight bout, after Israil Madrimov was forced to withdraw due to illness. Rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) will take on Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs), as well as undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs), who squares off against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs).

Former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs) takes on last-minute replacement Rhys Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) in a super featherweight bout, and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) will face former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout.

Also in action are unbeaten Daniel Lapin (10-0, 4 KOs) taking on fellow undefeated lightweight prospect Dylan Colin (14-0, 4 KOs), knockout artist Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) facing off against Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight clash, and local talent Mohammed Alakel (1-0) squaring off against Joshua Ocampo (8-33-5, 6 KOs).

The entire card will be available on DAZN platforms worldwide starting at 11 a.m ET.

This is what the fighters and their teams had to say:

Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs)

Q: What is it all about for you on Saturday night?

“Now we just have the performance. Talks, cameras, lights, kind of show. Everything is going to be taking place Saturday night on the 21st.”

Q: What is your final message to Tyson before Saturday?

“Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday.”

Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs)

Q: What is this fight all about for Tyson Fury on Saturday night? 

“I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain.”

Q: There seems to be an extra menace about you this week?

“I’ve got nothing to say apart from there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. The talking’s been done. The first fight, I talked, I joked, all my career. This time I’m serious, I’m going to do some damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work.”

Q: What do you want to tell Usyk ahead of Saturday night?

“I can’t wait for Saturday night. Thank you everybody involved. God bless.”

Frank Warren, Founder and Chairman, Queensberry Promotions

Q: Talk to us about Saturday’s event and how you’re backing your man, Tyson Fury

“The biggest fight is happening on Saturday night. The rematch. The first fight was magnificent, it was a great fight. It had everything, a very close fight, a cigarette paper in the decision. This time around, I know these guys, they’ve shared the ring together for 12 rounds. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s going to be about who can exploit the weaknesses, who has the strength to exploit the weaknesses. I believe Tyson Fury will come through this, and I don’t believe this fight will go the distance. He’s in great shape, a great frame of mind for this fight. Fighting mode. We’re going to get an extra, extra, extra special event. Do not blink after the first bell.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing

Q: Are you supporting Tyson Fury in this fight?

“Regarding the main event, I’ve got a lot of history with Oleksandr Usyk, but I am backing Tyson Fury. Of course, he’s the Brit. People ask me all the time, “who’s going to win this fight?” and I’ve said this: Oleksandr Usyk is an incredible fighter and it will take something extraordinary to beat him on Saturday night. But, and I know we’ve had our differences, Tyson Fury is capable of extraordinary things. His victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, I watched that on a laptop in a hotel in America, I thought he had absolutely no chance. He won every single round. When he fought Deontay Wilder in America, I thought he had absolutely no chance. He was robbed in the first fight, he smashed him to pieces in the second fight. Two generational great heavyweights, two credits to the sport. May God bless you both on Saturday night, but most of all, I can’t believe I’m saying it, may Tyson Fury be victorious on Saturday night for Britain and get the championship back.”

Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank Boxing
Q: Give us your thoughts on Saturday night and where it stands historically as well.

“I’m not going to talk about great fights and great fighters because it will be a great fight, and these are great fighters. I’m not only Tyson Fury’s co-promoter, I am also a Tyson Fury fan. If anyone watched the second Wilder fight, Tyson knew what he had to do and won that fight in a real one-sided way. I’m looking forward to him fighting in that way again, and being successful on Saturday night. That being said, he’s fighting a tough, skilled Ukrainian. Personally, like many Americans, I am so proud of his people, how hard they have been fighting, and what they have been accomplishing. Oleksandr Usyk typifies the strength of Ukraine, but on Saturday night he’s fighting one of the best heavyweights of all time, Tyson Fury. I’m very confident that our man Tyson will emerge victorious.”

Sergey Lapin (Oleksandr Usyk’s Team Director)

Q: You’ve got 12 rounds of data now as a team. What’s going to happen on Saturday, have you had to change much?

“This upcoming Saturday, we will have the battle of two great champions, where the current champion will prove to the other that he is the stronger man. Usyk is the champion and you will see that on Saturday night.”

Egis Klimas (Oleksandr Usyk’s Manager)

Q: Tell us why he (Usyk) will get the job done?

“Listen, Oleksandr Usyk has been the champion on the road. He’s a warrior on the road. In May, Oleksandr Usyk proved to the whole world when he became the undisputed champion of the world, winning against Tyson Fury. We don’t have anything else to prove. We did everything, every fight that Oleksandr fought, he never fought at home. He fought in the UK, in the United States, then he came here to fight in Riyadh, it’s always on the road. Now, after he’s already been undisputed we’re coming here and we have to prove again, which is no problem. We will see Saturday night once again who is Oleksandr Usyk.”

Alex Krassyuk (Head Promoter, K2 Promotions)

Q: Last time we had a press conference, you had a lovely short poem for us. I’m curious what you have for us tonight?

“Who could ever imagine that a small common young kid from Crimea, one day becomes the two-time undisputed champion? His dream came true, our dream came true, his fans dreams came true. There is a man in the kingdom who has a habit of making dreams come true. Your excellency, thank you very much.”

“And one more gratitude goes to the Gypsy King. We know that he is not very good at making the rematches, but we must admit that courage and bravery lives in his heart. Tyson, thank you for being here.”

“Just one day separates us from the battle and from its outcome. May strength and valor accompany them in the battle. Good luck to both of them and let the best man win, again.”

Spencer Brown (Tyson Fury’s Manager and Founder, Goldstar Promotions)

Q: You’ve heard from Egis Klimas. What is the case for Tyson Fury?

“Tyson’s had an amazing camp, he’s lived like a monk. As you can see, he’s very focused. He thinks that he’s had something taken off him and he wants it back. On Saturday night, he will get it back. Don’t underestimate a gypsy man, a traveling man from Lancaster, who has fighting in his blood. He’s very focused and we believe on Saturday night, he’s going to bring that belt back to England where it belongs.”

Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs)

Q: You’ve heard it all week. All the talks about what Moses can do and what he’s going to go on to achieve. You are a 6 foot 6 Australian tower, and you’ve got your own plans, right?

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank His Excellency and the beautiful kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting us and giving us the platform to be able to come here and fight and showcase it all. Yeah…it’s all the Moses show isn’t it. But, I don’t mind that. I’m used to being the underdog and I’ve had a really good training camp, my sparring has been good and I’m ready to disrupt the Moses show on Saturday.”

Moses Itauma (10-1, 8 KOs)

Q: You’ve just heard from the man (Demsey McKean) who’s looking to disrupt the Moses Itauma show on Saturday. What are you thinking?

“Listen, I’m just a teenager from Chatham, it’s mad that I’m on the same table as Tyson Fury, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Oleksandr Usyk. I’m just grateful for this opportunity, I’m going to take it with both hands. I’m not looking past Demsey McKean. For me, this is like my world title fight.”

Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs)

Q: Dave Allen sounds ready to go. He said he feels “very, very confident” of upsetting you on Saturday night. What’s going on in your head Johnny?

“Would expect nothing less from Dave Allen, the White Rhino, to be ready to go. That’s what we’ve trained for these past 12 weeks. I’ve been training for longer than that though, I’ve been training for four long years, and now this is my time to show people what I can do.”

Q: What happens when you put a rhino and a bull together?

“There’s a possibility for some carnage for sure. Put a rhinoceros and a bull in the same ring and there are bound to be some fireworks. I’m not going to take a backwards step, and I’m sure that he won’t either. I’m doing this for my family. I’m doing this to make everyone proud that comes to support me, but I’m also doing it for the people at home. You all give me strength everytime I fight.”

Q: Can we expect a big knockout on Saturday night?
“Winning is all that matters, victory at all costs. It’s an honor to be on such a big card, but I’m aware of what my job is. My job is to beat Dave Allen, whether that’s in Saudi Arabia, somewhere back in England, or anywhere around the world. This just happens to be on the biggest stage on the biggest platform. My job stays the same, win.”

Q: Do you have a message for Dave Allen?

“As you said he’s a good friend, but there are no friends in that boxing ring and on Saturday night we’ll be trading leather. I’m sure that I’ll shake his hand before, and that I’ll shake his hand after, but for now and when we’re in that ring we’re enemies.”

Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs)

Q: Do you think Johnny Fisher might be nervous going into this fight?

“Yeah, I think so. I am, we both should be. It’s a huge occasion, it’s a huge fight. Johnny Fisher, someone asked me last night, you’re good friends. I’ve got a son, if he grows up to be half the man Johnny Fisher is I’d be a happy man. This is not personal, this is sport. But, I’m very confident I will do the job. I’ve worked really hard and I genuinely believe this is my time to finally fulfill my potential.”

Q: You’ve sparred Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Curious, what do you think will happen in the main event?

“The two best heavyweights of my generation. I’m a huge fan of both, everyone knows the regard I hold them both in. I personally foresee a Fury win, but these two are the greatest heavyweights of my time and I’m so fortunate to be here and witness it in person. Hopefully it can be half as good as last time.”

#          #          #

ABOUT OLEKSANDR USYK VS. TYSON FURY 2: REIGNITED

Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) faces former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) in a highly anticipated rematch on December 21, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. The blockbuster main event will be complemented by a stellar undercard featuring elite talent across multiple divisions, including a clash between former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) and British boxer Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs) in a 12-round super welterweight bout and a heavyweight showdown between top teenage prospect Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) and Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs). Also in action are undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) squaring off against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs), former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs) taking on last-minute replacement Rhys Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) in a super featherweight bout, and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) facing former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout. Plus, unbeaten Daniel Lapin (10-0, 4 KOs) taking on fellow undefeated lightweight prospect Dylan Colin (14-0, 4 KOs), knockout artist Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) facing off against Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight clash, and  local talent Mohammed Alakel (1-0) squaring off against Joshua Ocampo (8-33-5, 6 KOs).

DAZN subscribers can access the fight via the DAZN app on any device, from smart TVs to smartphones and tablets, with no additional contracts or hidden fees. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com.

RIYADH – December 18, 2024 – As we get closer to another historic heavyweight boxing matchup, unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs), conducted open workouts for fans and media today at the Riyadh Season, ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, December 21 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

When interviewed in the ring by DAZN announcer Claudia Trejos, Fury offered few words other than promising “a lot of pain,” “smash and damage” and “hurt, serious hurt,” for his opponent.   

When Trejos told Usyk later of his opponent’s promises and no-nonsense behavior, the champion confidently shrugged and offered a simple “okay.”

Speaking with the DAZN studio team after the brief workout, Fury’s trainer, SugarHill Steward, commented on his fighter’s all business attitude. “Tyson Fury is just ready right now, along with myself. He’s always had a silly demeanor, playing around, but always been serious. But this is a different side of him. He’s just ready, 100 percent.”

Reflecting on being in the evening co-main event, surging heavyweight contender Moses Itauma (10-0, 8 KOs) remarked “when you’re in the ring, you don’t really pay attention whether you’re co-main event or three fights before. It’s obviously nice and I am grateful for it, but the main thing is to be in the main event, to be the top man. Obviously, if I beat Demsey McKean, it doesn’t matter if I’m the first fight or the last fight, I still beat him. ‘

Stepping back into the ring for the first time in over a year, Itauma’s opponent Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs) is confident in his preparation. “I feel like I’m coming in in the best condition possible. It’s been a great training camp, I know every fighter says that on fight week but I honestly think it’s been my best one. My body feels great, I’ve been sparring really well. I’ve never been a good sparrer in the past, but in my sparring I’ve been hitting all my strides lately as well, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

In the first of the night’s trio of featured heavyweight fights,undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) told the studio team that “I’m the underdog everytime I get into the ring. And listen, I’ve got to be like that because if you want to be the best you need to have that mentality. You have to prove yourself every single time. And by doing that, you’re doing it in the gym, as well, where you learn as you go. I want to show what I’ve learned as I’ve gone. “
 

Fisher will take onveteran David Allen (23-6-2), who promised to end his night before the final bell. “This is boxing, and I fully expect to knock [Johnny Fisher] out. I expect to level him completely. I’m good enough to beat him, 100%. My talent beats him, and beats anyone else outside of the top 10. I’ve always believed that. I can box with my eyes shut. This fella is not in my league.”

Immediately following the open workout, six fights emanated live from Riyahd’s Boulevard World, put on by Queensbury Promotions in conjunction with Matchroom Boxing and K2 Promotions. 

In international welterweight action, Scotland’s Luke Bibby (8-0, 2 KOs) outclassed Jordan Ellison (15-56-5, 1 KO) of England over six rounds to a decision victory (59-55). 20-year-old Englishman Levi Barnes(7-0, 2 KOs) took Guadalajara’s Ramiro Garcia Lopez (8-17, 7 KOs) the distance, earning a decision victory (40-36) across four rounds. 

Riyadh native Abdullah Darkazanly (1-0, 0 KOs) made his professional debut in his hometown, as he faced Costa Rica’s Jose Aguirre (2-9, 0 KOs) over four rounds in an international middleweight contest. Darkazanly didn’t disappoint in his debut and took home the decision victory (40-36).

Super lightweight Aadam Hamed (5-0, 2 KOs), of Dubai, impressed in his bout against Colombian Jesus Gonzalez (3-6, 0 KOs), earning a TKO 26 seconds into round 4. 

Rounding out the card featured super welterweight Chris Kongo, (17-2, 7 KOs) of London, clashing with Colombia’s John Mosquera (5-21, 1 KO) in a six-round bout. Kongo displayed a tough performance and cemented his 17th victory in a 60-54 decision.

DAZN subscribers can access the action this weekend via the DAZN app on any device, from smart TVs to smartphones and tablets, with no additional contracts or hidden fees. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com. 

RIYADH – December 17, 2024 – In anticipation of a monumental clash in heavyweight boxing, unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs), made their grand arrivals today at the Riyadh Season, ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, December 21 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Also making their grand arrivals were co-headliners, top contenders, and rising stars featured in the undercard. Former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) will now face British boxer Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs) in a 12-round super welterweight bout, after Israil Madrimov was forced to withdraw due to illness. Also in attendance was rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) and his opponent, Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs), as well as undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs), who squares off against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs).

Former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs) is taking on last-minute replacement Rhys Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) in a super featherweight bout, and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) will face former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout.

Also in action are unbeaten Daniel Lapin (10-0, 4 KOs) taking on fellow undefeated lightweight prospect Dylan Colin (14-0, 4 KOs), knockout artist Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) facing off against Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight clash, and local talent Mohammed Alakel (1-0) squaring off against Joshua Ocampo (8-33-5, 6 KOs).

Here is what the fighters had to say during their grand arrivals today:

OLEKSANDR USYK

We spoke with Tyson Fury and he promised his excellency that he will knock you out in round 13. How do you feel about that?

“It’s only talk. We will see. Whatever happens is God’s will.”

Right now, all eyes are on you. The world is watching as we close 2024 with you as the main event. How does that make you feel?

“It will be a great fight, I feel really good. I think that I will win.”

Oleksandr, I saw you today working out in the gym going through your routine. Is it now just a case of staying loose and active until Saturday?

“Yeah, today was easy, I was just doing cardio and stretching. Just want to stay active until Saturday.”

You seem very confident. Even your size, you look like a proper heavyweight. You seem very confident going into this second fight with Fury?

“Yeah, I feel really good at my weight at 222 lbs. I don’t feel too heavy, I don’t feel too light. I feel perfect.”

Oleksandr, in the first fight you said that you weren’t going to leave him alone. You said that you were going to be in front of Tyson Fury. Can we expect the same type of performance on Saturday?

“Yeah, my fans can expect something similar again. But, we may switch a few things up a little bit. My team and I have a few secrets for Saturday.”

Have you had a chance yet to sit back and realize what you’ve done? To consider the history you’ve made for yourself and all of your achievements?

“Yes, of course. This is a big opportunity for me, for my country, and for the young people that look up to me and Tyson. This is history! I want people 15 years later to remember when I fought and beat Tyson Fury twice in Riyadh.”

Will you admit that you are a great fighter now, possibly an all time great?

“Definitely.”

And pound for pound?

“I think Terence Crawford is the number one fighter pound for pound.”

What are you doing these next few days to get yourself ready for the fight on Saturday?

“I just train, relax, and speak with my family, my daughter, and my team.”

TYSON FURY

How does it feel to be the biggest show in Riyadh?

“I’m the only show in town. This time around everything is pretty much the same. It’s the biggest event of my life, so in that regard it’s pretty much the same. From one biggest event to the next biggest event. I’m looking forward to putting on a show as always.”

What can we expect differently in round 13?

“I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to give Turki what I promised him in May, a cooked rabbit in his kitchen. That’s my promise!”

What is your favorite moment of this week?

“My favorite moment will be getting my hand raised on Saturday night.”

SERHII BOHACHUK (24-2, 23 KOs)

What can we expect from you on Saturday?

“Big show, big fight coming up for me. I’m ready. It will be interesting, I’ll show my fans, the Ukrainian fans, and the industry some very interesting boxing.”

ISHMAEL DAVIS (13-1, 6 KOs)

What do you have to do on Saturday to make sure you have no regrets?

“I just need to show everyone who I am. They’ve only seen a little bit but on Saturday night they’re going to see who I truly am against a tough opponent. He’s going to come forward and bring the best out of me.”

MOSES ITAUMA (20-0, 10 KOs)

How does it feel to be considered by some as the next Anthony Joshua?

“I mean, it is nice to compare yourself against a two-time heavyweight champion. Obviously I haven’t proved nothing yet, it’s nice to hear these things but everybody’s on their own path and I’m here to set my own path also.”

DEMSEY MCKEAN (22-1, 14 KOs)

How does it motivate you to be part of such a big event?

“Obviously I want to contend for a world title myself you know so coming away with a big win here against Moses is going to propel me into a world title fight. All eyes on Moses first come Saturday night. I need to come away with a good performance, look good doing so, and make sure I get another return invite here on the beautiful Riyadh Season.”

How Important is for you to make a statement on Saturday?

“It’s everything. I’m coming off a loss in my last fight against Filip Hrgovic for a final eliminator you know so I want to get straight back into the top. Moses has a world rank that I want and need and it’s going to propel me into big fights.”

MOHAMMED ALAKEL (1-0)

How much pressure do you feel having your second professional fight in your own backyard?

“No pressure. I’m very happy and excited, I can’t wait. I got my pro debut over and done with. It should be light work now.”

JOSHUA OCAMPO (8-33-5, 6 KOs)

What are your first impressions coming into this event?

“It’s a really great opportunity for all us Colombian boxers to be here. I came here so excited, surrounded by all these beautiful people, this beautiful country. I’m just brrrrr freezing about it!”

JOHNNY FISHER (12-0, 11 KOs)

How much pressure do you feel to finish this fight before the final bell?

“The only pressure I feel is the pressure I apply to myself, my family, and my team around me. All the rest of it is enjoyment,its exposure, and all I’ve got to do is my job and listen to the people in my corner and that’ll be good.”

Your prediction for the fight?

“My prediction is victory at all costs. No matter how it comes, I’ve got to win, and this incredible journey gets to continue. I’m on the biggest stage in the world, it’s fantastic to be here, and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”

How does being part of such a big event like Riyadh Season motivate you?

“My job, I’m the fighter, and one thing I can deliver is action, adventure, and I try to get the knockout every single time I fight so I’ll be looking for that, no doubt.”

DAVE ALLEN

Doncaster De La Hoya, what’s that all about?

“Yeah, when I first started boxing as a kid everyone said that I bore a resemblance to Oscar De La Hoya, the golden boy, and because I’m from Doncaster it just kind of stuck.”

How do you feel coming into Riyadh, and making this the opportunity to establish yourself in this division?

“I’m very fortunate to be here. I’m very grateful. This is a massive opportunity, one that at my age I didn’t think would come, but it’s here now and I plan to take it with both hands.”

PETER McGRAIL

I know that there was a last minute change in your opponent, so how did that change your fight plan?

“Well, fight plans change. We just remained focused. I believe in my team, his excellency Turki Alalshikh, and everyone else involved. Queensberry, Matchroom, I had belief in them that they were going to get a replacement and that’s what happened. I stayed focused on the job. The job remains the same. I’m coming for the big performance on Saturday.”

When you have an Olympic pedigree like yourself, how does that prepare you for these sorts of last minute changes?

“I’ve been traveling around the world, representing my country for years, and we just don’t know until the draw. So, there are days where you won’t know who you’re fighting until the day before so it was nothing new. I’m very experienced and I remain focused. I stuck to the plan and I’m in great shape. I look forward to putting on a heavy performance for you all Saturday.”

ISAAC LOWE (25-2, 2 KOs)

How does being a part of Tyson Fury’s camp for this fight motivate you?

“I don’t think I need much to get motivated for this fight. I know how big a fight this is, I know what Lee brings, I know he’s a worthy contender. He comes in, he’s tough. This is the biggest fight of my life on Saturday night. I’ve got to win this belt, get it for my baby, so there’s no way on  God’s earth I’m going to lose on Saturday night. I’m going to have to get killed in there to lose this fight. I can’t wait, I’m revved up, pumped up, I’m ready to put a show on for the fans.”

LEE MCGREGOR (14-1-1, 11 KOs)

How happy are you to be here?

“I’m so happy, it’s a surreal moment but I’m soaking it all up and really excited for the weekend.”

Tell me something about the plane?

“It’s unbelievable. You need to be on it to experience it. You can’t really explain it, it’s just absolutely amazing and something I’ve never experienced before.”

Another title opportunity, how does that feeling compare with coming down from that plane coming into the crowd waiting for you to fight?

“It’s just amazing. I’ve got the chance to change myself and my family’s life this weekend and I’ve put absolutely everything into my training camp. I’ve left no stone unturned, I’m truly prepared for whatever my opponent brings and I firmly believe I will come out victorious and bring that belt back home to my daughter.”

How much lightning do we have in those hands for Saturday?

“We’ll see you on Saturday.”

DANIEL LAPIN (10-0, 4 KOs)

How do you feel about this opportunity?

“I feel that very soon, one of the fighters will have one loss and that will not be me.”

You’re closing the year in a great event. On the Heavyweights looking at the upcoming talent, how does that motivate you?

“It’s a big opportunity for me in a great event. I have passed a hard training camp with the Champion and I will show my good boxing. Thank you to everyone involved in this process including Saudi Arabia for everything they do for boxing.”

DYLAN COLIN (14-0, 4 KOs)

You’ve come a long way and French boxing is in an uprising – now it’s your turn. How are you feeling it’s motivating you?

“It’s good to be here and a good opportunity for me. Thank you very much to all organizations, my promoter and I’m ready for Saturday.”

ANDRII NOVYTSKYI (13-0, 10 KOs)

Welcome back to Riyadh. You are closing 2024 with a huge event. When asked on defending his title and his excitement to be here?

“This is my second time in Riyadh, I’m so excited and it’s a very big show. I’m fighting in this show too and I can show you what I can do with my opponent, December 21.”

How much do you know about your opponent?

“Just that he’s a Mexican guy. I’ve fought many Mexican guys but he’s just my next opponent and I will give my 100%.”

EDGAR RAMIREZ (10-1, 4 KOs):

How much pressure do you feel representing Mexico?

“I feel a little bit of pressure because I’m obviously representing the whole country of Mexico. But I’m very excited and happy to be here and I’m going to be doing exactly what we all do as Mexicans and that’s leaving it all on the line.”

ABOUT OLEKSANDR USYK VS. TYSON FURY 2: REIGNITED

Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) faces former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) in a highly anticipated rematch on December 21, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. The blockbuster main event will be complemented by a stellar undercard featuring elite talent across multiple divisions, including a clash between former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) and British boxer Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs) in a 12-round super welterweight bout and a heavyweight showdown between top teenage prospect Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) and Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs). Also in action are undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) squaring off against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs), former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs) taking on last-minute replacement Rhys Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) in a super featherweight bout, and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) facing former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout. Plus, unbeaten Daniel Lapin (10-0, 4 KOs) taking on fellow undefeated lightweight prospect Dylan Colin (14-0, 4 KOs), knockout artist Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) facing off against Edgar Ramirez (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight clash, and  local talent Mohammed Alakel (1-0) squaring off against Joshua Ocampo (8-33-5, 6 KOs).

DAZN subscribers can access the fight via the DAZN app on any device, from smart TVs to smartphones and tablets, with no additional contracts or hidden fees. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com.

LONDON – December 2, 2024 – DAZN, the leading destination for boxing fans around the globe, will broadcast the highly-anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on Saturday, 21 December, 2024, live on DAZN PPV, from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event will serve as the grand finale to DAZN’s extraordinary 2024 boxing lineup, which has delivered a weekly schedule of premium fights featuring the sport’s brightest stars.

Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), the reigning WBA, WBC, and WBO Heavyweight World Champion, is set to defend his titles after his historic victory over Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) earlier this year in Riyadh. The closely contested bout marked Fury’s first professional loss and crowned Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Fury now seeks redemption, while Usyk looks to solidify his place among boxing’s all-time greats. Highlights from their first legendary encounter can be found on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube Channel. 

DAZN continues to raise the bar in boxing coverage, offering fans unmatched access to elite matchups and rising stars. The Usyk vs. Fury rematch underscores DAZN’s mission to provide fans with the best boxing content year-round. “This fight is the perfect conclusion to an incredible year for DAZN and boxing fans everywhere,” said Alfie Sharman, Vice President DAZN. “Usyk vs. Fury 2 exemplifies the level of world-class events we are committed to delivering regularly, bringing fans the biggest names as well as the most competitive and exciting matchups the sport has to offer.”

The blockbuster main event will be complemented by a stellar undercard featuring elite talent across multiple divisions, including heavyweight clashes between top teenage prospect Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) andthe Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs), and undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs). Fans can also look forward to former WBA 154-pound Champion Israil Madrimov (10-1, 7 KOs) taking on former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs), Dennis McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) defending his European Super Bantamweight title against Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs), and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) facing former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout. 

The blockbuster card is available worldwide on DAZN for $39.95. Fans purchasing the event on DAZN Pay-Per-View before Saturday, 4 December will automatically enter a sweepstake for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Riyadh, including ringside seats. Information on how to enter can be found HERE.

DAZN subscribers can access the fight via the DAZN app on any device, from smart TVs to smartphones and tablets, with no additional contracts or hidden fees.

For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com. 

– ENDS –

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL in more than 200 markets. DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading technology, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.   

By Norm Frauenheim –

On the career map, redemption is a risky stop. Retirement is right around the corner. So, too, is a rematch.

It could go either way for Tyson Fury, who has repeatedly called his second fight with Oleksandr Usyk Dec. 21 for the heavyweight title as a chance at redemption for his lone loss by split decision to the tireless, stubbornly resilient Usyk last spring.

The stakes, heightened by an either-or scenario, were there Wednesday at a London news conference notable more for what wasn’t said than what was. Fury didn’t have much to say. Or sing.

He’s known for turning a boxing newser into a lousy lounge act. One liners, cheap insults, a few lyrics from Bye-Bye Miss American Pie and mocking gestures have long been a part of the Fury show. 

But the well-rehearsed act wasn’t there Wednesday, perhaps because he knows it played a part in his scorecard loss in Riyadh last May.

“What’s going through my mind?’’ Fury said when asked about the looming rematch, the only time he’s ever had to come back from defeat.  “I’m just looking forward to a fantastic fight. Last time in May, it was a fantastic fight. Oleksandr won the fight, fair and square. Just looking to put on a great fight again. 

“It was very close last time, he got it by a point. A little bit more focus, a little bit more lack of complacency, and I should do the job I need to do. Nothing drastic has to change. A bit more of the same. A little bit more focus, like I say, and I will be victorious.”

The news conference was not without some theatrical touches, of course. Usyk showed up in costume, dressed like Hitman: Agent 47. It’s a film and a video game. But the eyes were all Usyk. Their intensity is impossible to disguise.

“I don’t have motivation,’’ Usyk said, cryptically.  “Only my regime, only my concentration.’’

That concentration is unmistakable. It’s also a challenge Fury couldn’t crack in May. It’s there, within Usyk, at a sustained level rare in any sport. Fury was winning the first fight through eight rounds.

In the ninth, however, Usyk found a way, throwing combinations that knocked down Fury. Fury recovered, but without the will or the energy to win a close fight. Maybe, that changes in the rematch with a more committed, better-conditioned Fury. The odds, however, make Usyk a slight favorite, in part perhaps because he knows how to win the close ones.

Usyk’s singular concentration seems to make him immune to Fury’s clever bag of tricks. Usyk might not have the power to knock out Fury. Deontay Wilder couldn’t either. Over three fights, Fury withstood Wilder’s power, which accounted for a 97.67 percent KO rate, astonishing even for the heavyweight division.

Fury got up in their first meeting, Lazarus-like, in the 12th and final round in 2018 for a draw in downtown Los Angeles. In retrospect, Fury’s ability to survive what no one else could in his initial meeting with Wilder dictated the rest of the trilogy. 

Fury didn’t exactly take away Wilder’s only real weapon, but he survived it, leaving Wilder with doubts. Fury fractured Wilder’s singular confidence in a way he has not in trying to crack Usyk’s concentration. 

Meanwhile, questions persist about what Fury has left in the wake of the Wilder rivalry, including a violent third fight. Fury won that one, an 11th-round stoppage in October 2021 in Las Vegas. But neither fighter emerged unscathed. There were five knockdowns — Wilder down three times, Fury twice. It was dangerous, definitive and dramatic.

Promoters called it:

“Once And For All.”

For Wilder, it looks as if it was. He has lost his last two fights, first a decision to Joseph Parker in December and then a fifth-round stoppage to Zhilei Zang in June. In both, he looked like a shell of the feared fighter he was against Fury.

Yet, Fury, too, often looks as if he doesn’t have the same durability. He got knocked down by Francis Ngannou, a mixed-martial arts fighter and novice boxer, yet managed to escape with a debatable split-decision. Then, he wasn’t able to overcome a late knockdown delivered by Usyk, whose versatile skillset and knowhow are seemingly inexhaustible.

In an interview this week with DAZN, Fury said he had little fear of Usyk. Wilder’s raw power, he suggested, was a more immediate threat.

“Whether it is round one, round ten or round twelve with two seconds to go – one mistake, it’s game over,’’ Fury told the streaming network,  “With Usyk, I don’t feel that much terror.’’

Fury went on to praise Usyk. He called him a good boxer.

“But there’s different levels to power,’’ Fury said. “One man can switch you off like a TV, and one man can hit you and hurt you and wear you down.’’

In the end, this one, like the last one, figures to go the distance. Question is: Can Fury still go there?

Oleksandr Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years as he took a 12-round split decision over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It was a nip and tuck battle with Usyk came out strong in the first couple of rounds. Fury started to get into the fight by ripping body punches and hurting Usyk throughout the middle rounds.

In round nine, Usyk battered Fury that was set off by a huge left cross to the jaw that had Fury wobbling all over the ring and into the ropes for an eight-count. The two took turns down the stretch as it was the knockdown that proved to be the distance as Usyk won by 115-112 and 114-113 tallies. Fury took a card 114-113,

It looks like the two will do it again, as a rematch is tentatively planned for October.

Usyk said, “Yes, of course. Rematch. I am ready!”

“I believe I won that fight. I believe he won a few of the rounds. I thought I won a majority of them, and I believe it was a — what can you do — these are the decisions in boxing. We both put on a good fight, the best we could do,” Fury said, “We go back, have a little rest up, spend some time with our families, and get it back on in October.”

Opetaia Decisions Briedis Again to Reclaim Cruiserweight Title

Jai Opetaia reclaimed the IBF Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mairis Briedis in a rematch.

The bout was bloody battle that featured a loy of headbutts. Opetaia got out to an early lead by landing some solid power shots. Briedis came on late but it was too little, too late as Opetaia won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

Opetaia of Australia is now 25-0. Briedis of Latvia is 28-3.

Cacace Stuns Cordina in 8; Wins Super Featherweight Title

Anthony Cacace won the IBF Super Featherweight title with an eighth round stoppage over undefeated champion Joe Cordina.

In round three, Cacace dropped Cordina with a perfect right hand. Cordina was hurt and had to hold on to barely make it out of the round.

Cacace continued to beat down Cordina until a big flurry forced a referee stoppage at 39 seconds.

Cacace, 129.8 lbs of Belfast, NI is now 22-1 with eight knockouts. Cordina, 130 lbs of Cardiff, WAL is 17-1.

Kabayel Knocks Out Sanchez in 7

In a battle of undefeated heavyweights, Agit Kabayel stopped Frank Sanchez in round 10 of their 12-round bout

In round seven, Kabayel dropped Sanchez with a hard right hand. Sanchez was beaten down and ate another hard flurry that sent him to the deck and he could not beat the count at 2:33.

Kabayel, 238.5 lbs of Bochum, GER is 25-0 with 17 knockouts. Sanchez, 238.5 lbs of Guantanamo, CUB is 24-1.

Itauma Takes out Mezencev in 2

Moses Itauma scored a second-round stoppage over Ilja Mezencev in round two of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

Itauma dropped Itauma with a perfect straight left hand and the fight was over at 50 seconds of round two.Itauma, 239.1 lbs of Chatham, ENG is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Mexencev, 231.1 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 25-4.

Chamberlain Destroys Wahab in 1

Mark Chamberlain took out Josh Wahab in the opening round of their 10-round lightweight bout.

Chamberlain dropped Wahab with a perfect short left hand. Wahab got up and was dumped again with a two lefts and rights and the fight was called off at 2:42.

Chamberlain, 134.2 lbs Portsmouth, ENG is now 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Wahab, 132.1 lbs of Accra, GHA is 23-2.

Safar Batters, Decisions Kovalev

Robin Safar scored the biggest win of his career with with a 10-round unanimous decision over former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.

Safar dominated the bout by landing heavy shots and in round 10, Safar dropped Kovalev with a hard double right hand. That happened just before the bell

Safar, 194.1 lbs of Sweden won by scores of 99-90, 97-92 and 95-94 and is now 17-0. Kovalev, 194.2 lbs of Russia is now 35-5-1.

Nyika Stops Seitz in 4

David Nyika stopped Michael Seitz in round four of an 10-round cruiserweight bout.

Nyika dropped Seitz with a body shot and the fight was stopped at 2:45.

Nyika, 198.1 lbs of Australia is now 9-0 with eight knockouts. Seitz, 198.5 lbs of Frankfurt, GER is 12-1.

Daniel Lapin destroyed Octavio Pudivitr in round one of their 10-round ;ight heavyweight bout

In round one, Lapin dropped Pudivitr in the opening round with a left hand and the fight was stopped upon Pudivitr getting to his feet at 1:47.

Lapin, 174 1/2 lbs of Ukraine is 10-0 with four knockouts. Pudivitr is 9-2.

Isaac Lowe scored a 10-round decision over Hasibullah Ahmadi in a featherweight bout.

Lowe scored a knockdown in round eight.

Lowe, who fights out of the Tyson Fury camp won by a 97-92 score and is now 25-2-3. Ahmadi is now 16-2.

 •  Tyson Fury 262 lbs. vs. Oleksandr Usyk 233.5 lbs
(Undisputed Heavyweight Championship – 12 Rounds)

   •   Jai Opetaia 198.1 lbs vs. Mairis Briedis 199.1 lbs
(Opetaia’s Ring Magazine & Vacant IBF Cruiserweight World Titles — 12 Rounds)

•   Joe Cordina 130 lbs  vs. Anthony Cacace 129.8 lbs 
 (Cordina’s IBF Junior Lightweight World Title — 12 Rounds)

•   Frank Sanchez 238.5 lbs vs. Agit Kabayel 238.5 lbs 
 (WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds)

•  Moses Itauma 239.1 lbs vs. Ilja Mezencev 232.1 lbs 
 (Vacant WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title — 10 Rounds)

•      Mark Chamberlain 134.2 lbs vs. Joshua Oluwaseun
Wahab  132.1 lbs 
 (Vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title — 12 Rounds)

•  Sergey Kovalev 194.2 lbs vs. Robin Sirwan Safar 194.1 lbs 
 (Cruiserweight — 10 Rounds)

•  Daniel Lapin 174.7 lbs vs. Octavio Pudivitr 173.7 lbs 
 (Vacant WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title — 10 Rounds)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (May 16, 2024) — It was an occasion befitting the biggest heavyweight fight of the millennium, a three-part press conference filled with pageantry and special guests.

In two days, an undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned for the first time in nearly 25 years as WBC/Lineal champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) battles WBO/IBF/WBA ruler Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) will vie to become the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis scaled the mountaintop in 1999. 

The expected faceoff did not happen. Fury refused to look Usyk in the eyes, facing forward to the crowd. The intensity, however, was palpable. After many years of hype and conjecture, the fight is almost here. 

Eight fights in total are scheduled for the Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV stream, which begins at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

The pay-per-view undercard features a pair of world title fights. In the co-feature, cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs) puts his Ring Magazine belt on the line against Mairis Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs), the man he dethroned for the IBF world title in July 2022. The vacant IBF world title will also be at stake in this highly anticipated rematch. 

The fighting pride of Wales, IBF junior lightweight world champion Joe Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs), defends his strap against Belfast native Anthony Cacace (21-1, 7 KOs). In other undercard bouts, undefeated heavyweight contenders Frank Sanchez (24-0, 17 KOs) and Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs) square off in a WBC title eliminator, while former light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) sees action in a 10-round cruiserweight tilt versus Robin Sirwan Safar (16-0, 12 KOs).

Here’s what Fury, Usyk, and some of the undercard fighters said at Thursday’s press conference.

Tyson Fury

“I’m going to make this short and simple. I want to thank God for the victory that I’ve received already. And I want to thank everyone involved for putting this massive event on. I want to thank Usyk for turning up and challenging me. And that’s about it. Thank you to all the fans that traveled over to support me because I know it’s tough times at the moment and money is hard. So, I aim to put on a show.”

“I’m ready. I’ve got nothing to say apart from I’m ready for a good fight. And if it’s tough or easy, either way, I’ll be ready.”

Oleksandr Usyk

“I’m excited. I’m grateful for His Excellency, the reason this fight happened. Let’s make history!”

Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman)

“In boxing, there’s a saying that the most important division is the heavyweight division. When we have the opportunity to have an undisputed heavyweight champion crowned, as we will Saturday night, it is something very, very significant. The last fighter to be crowned the undisputed champion is sitting out in the audience. It happened 25 years ago. Lennox Lewis became the undisputed heavyweight champion. Saturday night will be a very, very important night for boxing because not only will we be crowning the undisputed heavyweight champion, but the two participants in the fight have never, ever lost a fight. Now, how rare is that? How great is it that this fight on Saturday, which will be held here in the Kingdom, in Riyadh… the eyes of the world, not just boxing fans, but fans and people all over the world, will be focusing on the arena, on this fight, and believe me, it will be a great one.”

Jai Opetaia

“I feel like a whole different version of myself now. I’ve picked it up a few levels. I’m 28 now, just going into my prime. I feel like I’m the next generation of greatness coming through. I look around, and I see greatness everywhere. And I’m honored to be in front of them, but it’s my time now. I feel I’m the next generation of greatness, and I told him that last fight.”

“I’ve got nothing disrespectful to say to Briedis. I always say, everywhere we go, you earn respect, you don’t disrespect. So, Saturday night, we earn the respect again.”

Mairis Briedis

“For Jai Opetaia, I have big respect because when we fought, I saw a real warrior in the ring and how he fought {with a broken jaw}.”

Joe Cordina

“This is a massive stage to showcase my talent on. It’s a big fight. For years, I thought me and Anthony would cross paths, and we’re here now. I’m looking forward to a tough fight, and I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with him.”

“I believe in my ability the same way he believes in his ability. He believes he knows my weaknesses. I believe I know his and vice versa with the strengths. It’s going to be a good fight, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Anthony Cacace

“Listen, I’m here for a fight. I know all about Joe Cordina. I know his strengths. I know his weaknesses. I’ve waited 12 years as a pro for an opportunity like this, and it’s finally arrived on the biggest stage in world boxing for God knows how many years. So, I’m just very appreciative to be here. I’m here to win.”

Agit Kabayel

“The next opponent is Frank Sanchez. He is a good boxer, good Cuban style. I’m ready for the challenge.”

“I hate predictions. I hate trash talk in this game. I’m humble. We’ll see on Saturday night.”

Sergey Kovalev

“I’m very happy to be back to business. I’ve had one fight in four years. For me, that’s a very long rest, but I kept my body in shape, and I’m ready. This Saturday, it will be my night.”

Saturday, May 18

Top Rank on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View (12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT)
 

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, 12 rounds, Undisputed Heavyweight World Title
 
Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis, 12 rounds, Vacant IBF and Opetaia’s Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Titles

Daniel Lapin vs. Octavio Pudivitr, 10 rounds, Vacant WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title