Gentlemanly is not the operative word as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk head into their heavyweight rematch Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
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"You ugly, bug-eyed rat bastard," Fury shouted at Usyk this week.
That was one the kinder things Fury had to say about Usyk, who in May won their fight by split decision.
"You got a gift decision," Fury roared this week. "I’m the man. I’m the (expletive) champion."
Fact check: Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) is the three-belt heavyweight champion. (He was stripped of the IBF belt because he did not fight the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Daniel DuBois, while focusing on preparing for this rematch.)
Reality check: It was Fury, not Usyk, who was staggering in the ninth round when he suffered the only knockdown in the first fight -- and the first loss of his career.
For Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) to regain the right to call himself the champ, the 6-foot-9 Brit will have to do a better job of exploiting his six-inch height advantage over Usyk, the 6-3 Ukrainian. Less clowning and more punching also would serve him well.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury face off during the news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Dec. 19, 2024.
Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards, super featherweight
Round 1: Edwards, a late replacement, is resplendent in shiny green shorts. McGrail not distracted by the eye-catching attire. Comes out strong with quick punches. McGrail finishes the round strong. McGrail 10, Edwards 9.
Round 2: McGrail stalking and absorbs some punches as a result. McGrail undeterred. Edwards unintimated. McGrail 19, Edwards 19.
Round 3: Edwards emerges as the aggressor, but McGrail fires back. A rhythm ensures. Edwards attacks, McGrail counters. Plenty of action. McGrail suffers a cut over his right eye from an inadvertent headbutt. The boxers are briefly separated before the slugfest resumes. Edwards 29, McGrail 28.
Round 4: Edwards connecting with his jab. But McGrail moving forward behind the left. More action in four rounds than we saw in the opening two fights. Blood flowing from above Edwards’ right eye and Edwards launches an attack. Edwards 39, McGrail 37.
Round 5: McGrail’s left eye noticeably swollen. It figures to become a target for Edwards and his right hand. Bursts of action from both boxers. McGrail looks sharp. Edwards 48, McGrail 47.
Round 6: McGrail sharp and active. Eating punches but landing more. Edwards now looking less dazzling than his boxing trunks. Edwards 57, McGrail 57.
Daniel Lapin def. Dylan Colin by unanimous decision
Built like Plastic Man, the 6-foot-6 Lapin capitalized on his height advantage over the 6-1 Colin. Of course, it was more than height in play.
Lapin of Ukraine fired a snapping left that tattooed Colin of France and kept him at bay during the 10-round light heavyweight fight.
The judges scored it 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91 in favor of Lapin, who improved to 11-0 and won the vacant IBF International light heavyweight title. Colin, of France, suffered his first loss and his record dropped to 14-1.
Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin, light heavyweight
Round 1: The 6-6 Lapin noticeably taller than the 6-1 Colin. Looks like more than a five-inch difference to me, and Lapin connects with a left early. Colin trying to dart inside and close the gap, but Lapin effectively keeps him at bay with the long left and jab. Lapin 10, Colin 9.
Round 2: Lapin now using his right hand, too. Making Colin pay every time Colin dares to approach. Colin throws a fierce right that comes up well short and therein lies his fundamental problem. Can he close the distance? Colin throws another overhand right that misses and Lapin fires back. Lapin 20, Colin 18.
Round 3: Lapin showing good footwork, which is making him even tougher for Colin to reach. Lapin showing a lack of aggression. To this point, he simply hasn’t needed it. But he fires a snapping left as he maintains control of the fight. Lapin 30, Colin 27.
Round 4: Has Lapin lost weight between rounds? Man, this dude is skinny. But there’s pop in those punches. Colin charges in but can’t connect before he wisely backpedals. Colin finally connects at short range, but Lapin quickly regains control behind his stinging left. Lapin 40, Colin 36.
Round 5: I’d be remiss not to mention Lapin’s cornrows. His hairstylist deserves a nod. Colin’s sporting a buzzcut and showing more aggression. Colin clearly knows he’s going to have to close the gap to reach Lapin, who ends the round by tagging Colin with another left. Lapin 50, Colin 45.
Round 6: Some matador work here from Lapin, who’s sidestepping the bullish Colin. Then Lapin nails him with a left and Colin’s knee appears to hit the canvas. But the referee does not rule it a knockdown. Colin landing more punches, but Lapin still in control. Lapin 60, Colin 54.
Round 7: Lapin has taken no chances and hard to imagine he will now that he’s comfortably ahead on the scorecards. Lapin just capitalizing on his height advantage with a steady diet of jabs and, when Colin darts in, lefts. Lapin 70, Colin 63.
Round 8: Lapin showboats for a moment and attacks. The controlled fight now features some slugging. Lapin pops Colin with a right hook when Colin attempts to close the gap. Colin doing his best to charge in closer to Lapin, who fights off his opponent with that left. Lapin 80, Colin 72.
Round 9: To his credit, Colin still trying to charge forward. To his dismay, it’s not paying off. Lapin content to let Colin be the aggressor and land the left as he backpedals. Lapin 90, Colin 81.
Round 10: Lapin’s corner instructs him to take no chances. Colin, of course, has received no such orders and gamely stalks the impossibly tall Ukrainian. Lapin 100, Colin 90.
Andrii Novytskyi def. Edgar Ramirez by unanimous decision
It was a fit Novytskyi versus a flabby Ramirez, and the 10-round heavyweight fight ended with an lopsided outcome on the judge’s scorecards.
Novytskyi, who improved to 14-0, defended his WBC International heavyweight title by landing a succession of jabs and staying on the move. Ramirez showed aggression in the later rounds, but it was not nearly enough to sway the judges.
They scored it 100-90, 100-90 and 98-92 in favor of Novytskyi, the 6-6 Ukrainian. Ramirez of Mexico fell to 10-2-1.
Underway: Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez, heavyweight
Round 8: Novytskyi looks increasingly lackluster, even as he lands a right. Ramirez throwing and landing with far more force. Novytskyi 77, Ramirez 75.
Round 9: Novytskyi throwing with both hands, but not snap in those punches. Ramirez looks low on gas after some impressive late rounds. It’s more stick-and-move from Novytskyi, who’s the more active fighter. Novytskyi 87, Ramirez 84.
Round 10: Novytskyi out with more energy that we’ve seen. Active hands foiling Ramirez. Big swing and a miss by Ramirez with a left hook. Throws an overhand right that misses and eats a left. What Novytskyi lacks in power, he’s making up for with activity and accuracy. Novytskyi 97, Ramirez 93.
When is Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk?
Fury vs. Usyk 2 is Saturday, Dec. 21.
What time is Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk?
The main card starts at noon ET. Fury and Usyk are expected to fight at about 6 p.m. ET.
Where is Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk?
The Fury vs. Usyk rematch will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch Fury vs. Usyk?
DAZN will broadcast the Fury-Usyk fight. Pay-per-view fee is $39.99.
Fury vs. Usyk card
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury, heavyweight. For Usyk's WBA, WBC and WBO titles
Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis, light middleweight
Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean, heavyweight
Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen, heavyweight
Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards, super featherweight
Isaac Lowe vs. Lee McGregor, featherweight
Daniel Lapin vs. Dylan Colin, light-heavyweight
Andrii Novytskyi vs. Edgar Ramirez; heavyweight
Round 1: Ramirez looks noticeably flabby compared to the fit Novytski. Will it make a difference? Novytski active early, firing the jab. Ramirez throws and overhand right that misses, but he’s in the fight. Novytskyi 10, Ramirez 9.
Round 2: Novytskyi connects with an uppercut and follows up with a jab and a right. Ramirez eats the punches as if there part of the buffet and looks sluggish. Ramirez charges forward but has yet to connect with any authority. Novtskyi 20, Ramirez 18.
Round 3: Ramirez the aggressor and finally connects with a right. But Novytskyi generally in control behind his jab, which has set up his other punches, and nice footwork. Ramirez shows more energy and lands a few notable punches. Novytskyi 30, Ramirez 27.
Round 4: Ramirez shows a burst of speed and power, but he’s struggling to maintain momentum. Novytskyi looks in control, but he’s still backpedaling as Ramirez maintains the role of aggressor. Who won the round? A coin-toss moment. Novytskyi 40, Ramirez 36.
Round 5: Novytskyi comes out with the same safe, methodical and, so far, effective approach. Ramirez throwing punches but nothing notable lands. Novytskyi looks increasingly cautious, with Ramirez showing more aggression. Novytskyi 49, Ramirez 46.
Round 6: Novytskyi still looking content throwing an effective jab that lacks force. No real power at all, although he’s agility has kept him in control and quickness. Ramirez lands rights to the body and head but his overall accuracy is lacking. Novytskyi 59, Ramirez 55.
Round 7: Novytskyi unleashes a early flurry that lands. Ramirez responds with a right to the head and goes on the attack. He lands a left jab and follows with a body shot. Novytskyi 68, Ramirez 65.
Mohammed Alakel def. Joshua Ocampo by unanimous decision
Ocampo entered the right wearing a T-shirt with lettering across the front that read, “Never Give Up.’’ But not might be time to reconsider.
Ocampo, the 31-year-old Colombian, lost for the 32nd time in 33 fights. His opponent, Saudi Arabia’s Alakel, looked surprisingly polished in his second pro fight, a six-round lightweight bout.
The lanky Alakel (2-0) dominated Ocampo (8-34-5) with a variety of punches with noticeable snap and speed.
All three judges scored the fight 60-53 in Alakel’s favor.
