Summary

Media caption,

Usyk cements legacy with points win over Fury

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - are sequels ever better than the originals?published at 20:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Home Alone 2

    Pete from Derby

    The Empire Strikes Back

    Stevie, Montrose

    Back to the Future II

    Jon, Sutton

  2. Postpublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    This is a first... the DJ is playing the theme tune to 1990s classic teen sitcom 'Saved By The Bell' in between rounds.

    It's quite apt, I suppose.

  3. 'Don't be afraid'published at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Oleksandr Usyk and Tuson Fury stare at each otherImage source, Getty Images

    Cast your mind back to Thursday and it felt like we were going to have a fight week lacking drama as the news conference played out.

    Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury kept their cards close to their chest and we heard more from the promoters rather than the fighters.

    However, after the talking was done, Usyk and Fury engaged in a face-off which lasted a remarkable and somewhat awkward 11 minutes and 20 seconds.

    Initially it was just a silent stare off but words were exchanged in the latter stages as sweat began to pour from Fury's brow.

    "The rabbit's getting it this time. Butchered. Smashed to pieces," Fury told Usyk.

    "Don't be afraid," Usyk responded.

  4. Allen floors Fisherpublished at 20:28 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Fisher v Allen

    Drama in the fifth round between Dave Allen and Johnny Fisher as the White Rhino catches Fisher with a huge left hook and we have our first knockdown of the night!

    Fisher dragged himself back to his feet and managed to make it to round six. On we go...

    David Allen stands over a knocked down Johnny FisherImage source, Getty Images
  5. Fury has entered the buildingpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Tyson Fury has entered the Kingdom Arena and he's got that steely focused look on his face.

    His beard is still intact...

    Tyson FuryImage source, Matchroom
  6. Celeb spottingpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Sam Harris
    BBC Sport in Riyadh

    People stood next to a long carpet

    The purple* carpet is in action! The first fight we had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar here. The latter has already made an appearance this fight week so who knows we might get him again… Someone behind me has just said 'no way 50 Cent’s coming?', I’ll keep you posted…

  7. Robles drafted in as replacement judgepublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    It's not just disputes over facial hair that have been making headlines in Riyadh.

    Fernando Barbosa was set to be one of the three judges for Usyk v Fury tonight but he has not travelled to Riyadh because of illness.

    Steve Weisfeld and Ignacio Robles were flown in to replace Barbosa, but the two fighters' teams were split on which judge should be used.

    Robles will be the third judge after a coin toss was used to decide.

  8. Splitting hairs over Fury's beard?published at 20:22 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Tyson Fury holds up his fistImage source, Getty Images

    To beard, or not to beard, that is the question.

    Over the past 48 hours, Tyson Fury's facial hair has been a big talking point with the fighters' teams in dispute over a the length of the Briton's beard.

    Fury has grown a bristly beard, which he says provides added strength. Boxing rules usually require facial hair to be of a certain length. Stubble, for example, can further damage a cut.

    At a rules meeting on Friday, Fury's beard was cleared. Oleksandr Usyk's team, however, are planning to "push this further".

    Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk cited WBC rules setting out that the length of facial hair cannot act as a cushion for the impact of a punch.

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - are sequels ever better than the originals?published at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The Empire Strikes Back is the GOAT of sequels better than the original.

    Ben

    Not many movie sequels better than the original but a few equally as good IMO. Straight off the bat, Terminator 2 Judgment Day and the Godfather 2 at least the equal of the original.

    Rob, Flint

    Shrek 2

    Milo from Malvern

  10. Here comes the championpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    As Kal says, Usyk is in the building and he's looking as stylish as ever!

    Oleksandr Usyk wearing a purple outfitImage source, Matchroom
  11. Postpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    Oleksandr Usyk arrived to the arena around 22:30 local time (19:30 GMT) and marched to his dressing room with purpose. Looking as cool as he has all week.

    Usyk was clutching a teddy of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, given to him by his daughter. He takes it everywhere with him as a reminder of her.

    With the main event not scheduled to start until 01:30 Saudi time, though, he has a long wait until he's in this ring.

  12. Listen: Fight week beginspublished at 20:18 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Monday feels like a long time ago now but that's where this week's run of 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce episodes began.

    Bunce was joined by former middleweight world champion Darren Barker to set the scene and there is also a brief appearance from Oleksandr Usyk and his manager Alexander Krassyuk.

  13. How good is Fisher?published at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    Johnny Fisher is likeable, articulate and improving with each fight.

    The Romford Bull has got a huge following - in a small part down to his Chinese takeaway loving, viral sensation dad, 'Big John' Fisher.

    Fisher can fight, make no mistake. But does he have the potential to reach the heights? Maybe, maybe not. But I'm sure we'll have fun as we find out.

  14. Food, glorious foodpublished at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Usyk v Fury 2

    Sam Harris
    BBC Sport in Riyadh

    Fans arriving at Kingdom Arena

    The atmosphere is building slowly here… and I’ll emphasise 'slowly'. Not much noise coming from the Kingdom Arena so far and just a handful in attendance. Fan parks have plenty of merch, punch bag machines and food though!

  15. McGregor outpoints Fury's stablemate Lowepublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    McGregor beats Lowe by unanimous decision

    The undercard is ticking along nicely with Scotland's Lee McGregor capturing the WBC International featherweight belt after beating Isaac Lowe in a dominant performance.

    Great display from McGregor!

    Lee McGregor after beating Isaac LoweImage source, Getty Images
  16. Liverpool's McGrail takes the winpublished at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    McGrail beats Edwards by unanimous decision

    In more undercard action, Peter McGrail took his record to 11-1 after a battling victory over Rhys Edwards - who put in a fine performance after being drafted in as a late replacement.

    One judge scored the fight 96-95, the other two 96-94.

    Peter McGrail with his hands in the air next to Rhys EdwardsImage source, Getty Images
  17. get involved

    Get Involved - are sequels ever better than the originals?published at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Godfather II

    James, Wilmslow

    Paddington 2

    Bartholemew

  18. Ukraine's Lapin takes fight two with easepublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Lapin beats Colin by unanimous decision

    In fight number two, Oleksandr Usyk's compatriot Daniel Lapin made light work of Dylan Colin in a convincing unanimous decision. One judge gave all 10 rounds to Lapin, while the other two scored it 9-1.

    Top work from the Ukrainian!

    Daniel Lapin throwing a punch at Dylan ColinImage source, Getty Images
  19. First Ukrainian winner of the nightpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Novytskyi beats Ramirez by unanimous decision

    Ukraine's Andrii Novytskyi kicked off the card with a dominant win over Mexico's Edgar Ramirez via unanimous decision.

    Will this be a night to remember for Ukraine?

    Andrii Novytskyi celebrates victory with his belt following the WBC International Heavyweight titleImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December

    Right, while we're waiting for you to get your best sequels in to us, shall we have a look at what has happened already tonight?