Image source, Getty Images

On 30 April 2023, BBC Sport asked: why are boxing’s biggest fights not happening?

Fans were fed up and rival promoters were playing the blame game as egos, finances and broadcaster commitments got in the way.

Twelve months later, the sport is almost unrecognisable – thanks largely to the involvement of energy-rich Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk contest the undisputed heavyweight world title fight in Riyadh – the latest high-profile fight to be held in the Saudi capital in recent months.

Boxing has been given a facelift but, as with most cosmetic procedures, there are risks attached.

Fighters are earning high pay cheques, yet just a handful of British fans can afford the luxury of travelling to the Middle East.

Promoters are working together but critics point to a “flat” atmosphere in Saudi Arabia.

With ongoing allegations of 'sportswashing' directed at the nation added to the mix, BBC Sport explores the impact of the Saudi boxing takeover and what it means for the fight game closer to home.

Read more here.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

In 2015, Tyson Fury’s number was leaked on social media by his wife. He would often take calls from the public.

After a night out, a couple of my pals dialled the Gypsy King’s number.

“Sorry lads, I don’t take calls after 11pm because my kids are sleeping. Call me tomorrow,” he told us.

My mates sobered up the next morning and felt it was a bit weird to call up someone they didn’t personally know for a chinwag.

Coral Barry
BBC Sport combat sports editor

Odd one out maybe, but never count out the Gypsy King. He always rises to the occasion.

Ex-England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand: “Usyk. It’s an unbelievable fight.”

Retired world champion and promoter Oscar de la Hoya: “Tyson Fury is the bigger version of Usyk. He has speed. He has power. He’s very versatile. I have to go with Tyson.”

Flyweight Maisey Rose Courteney: “My heart is leaning towards Usyk because all the old-school heavyweight champions that everyone looks up to are Usyk’s built – around 13 or 14 stone - but we just have the giants nowadays, like Fury and Joshua.

"The movement from Usyk alone will mean he can get out of the traps that Fury sets up. Fury throws one or two shots and holds but never multiple combinations. He’s a good mover but not as nimble and fast Usyk. Usyk will be able to outbox and outmanoeuvre him.”

Super-flyweight Shannon Ryan: "Usyk will win on points. I don't think there will be a knockout but we'll see another level to Usyk this time."

We've just done our predications from the the BBC Sport boxing team both here in Salford and across in Saudi Arabia...

It has come out seven in favour of Oleksandr Usyk winning and just one backing a Tyson Fury win.

Amazingly, it is the most senior among us - Coral Barry - who is going for Fury!

Make of that what you will.

Interesting Sam.

I've heard about another guy who was a pretty successful cruiserweight and has rather successfully made that leap up to heavyweight.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Harris
BBC Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

David Haye’s just turned round to a member of the media with a nod of approval.

“This guy can do it at heavyweight.”

The guy he’s on about, Jai Opateia.

Image source, BBC Sport

We've been running a vote on who you think will win throughout this week and, as you can see above, voting has now closed.

Tyson Fury came out with a pretty comfortable win.

I've seen Oleksandr Usyk getting a lot of love this week so thought it might have been a bit closer.

Let's have another poll from those of you on the page now.

Thumbs up for Fury or thumbs down for Usyk.

Gary Wilkinson on X says: "Would put Fury close to the best British heavyweight. But still behind Lennox."

It's heating up now as we come to the end of round six and Mairis Briedis' face is a mess with blood flowing from his eye and nose.

Looks as though his nose could be broken as Jai Opetaia continues to throw spiteful punches.

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

Well, Sam, I just heard that pin you dropped.

Sam Harris
BBC Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kal’s right. It’s so, so quiet in here. In fact, I can hear his keyboard clacking away and he’s sat quite a way down from me.

But there could yet be hope…

I caught up with some Tyson Fury fans and they said not to worry because “we’ll bring the noise.”

Fingers crossed.

Heavyweight Frazer Clarke: “I’m going Usyk. After the cut to Fury, it’s going to hinder his camp and his preparation. With Usyk's style, speed and the cut above Fury’s eye, it’s a big target and Usyk will look to exploit that. The fight will see the final bell. The cut opens up and Usyk wins by decision after picking up the early rounds.”

Heavyweight Fabio Wardley: “It's a really hard one because I've been on the fence. I've bounced back and forth for a long time with it. At the moment I'm edging towards Usyk. He's in the right mind frame and just really wants to fight. He’ll put out all the stops on the night. I just find him to be very difficult fighter to bet against because he always just seems to find a way to win, to be smart enough, to be crafty enough in the ring.”

Former heavyweight David Price: “Fury’s back is against the wall after the Ngannou performance and it will work in his favour. It might be a scrappy fight at times but Fury will box at a pace for 12 rounds, using his height and weight and win on points.”

Former world champion Hannah Rankin: "Fury has always struggled with southpaws. With Usyk's skillset, at first I was going to go for him. But as I've thought more about it, Fury’s going to be too big for him. If Fury can target the body, it could be Usyk’s undoing. I’m going to go Fury on points.”

Image source, Getty Images

Don't be thinking your eyes are playing up if you see Tyson Fury switch to a southpaw stance tonight.

The WBC champion is primarily an orthodox fighter but Fury has the talent to switch to southpaw if that's what he thinks is required.

Just go back and watch his win over Derek Chisora in 2014 where Fury fought as a southpaw.

What will he have in store for Oleksandr Usyk?

Fair play Colin. It doesn't come much cooler than Steve McQueen flying around on that motorbike in The Great Escape.

Jai Opetaia is in control after three rounds against Mairis Briedis with some lovely combinations being thrown.

Briedis has a cut on his eye but that's not putting him off as he lands on the jaw of Opetaia.