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Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest news and updates as rivals share absurdly long face-off at press conference

We are just two days away from the biggest rematch of the year, as Tyson Fury bids to avenge his first loss – against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Thursday 19 December 2024 13:45 EST
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Reignited: Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Trailer

Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is just two days away, as the Briton aims to claim the unified heavyweight titles – seven months after suffering his first professional loss, against the Ukrainian.

In May, Usyk won a split decision against Fury to become the division’s first undisputed champion in 24 years. Now, the pair return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Usyk defends the gold against the “Gypsy King” – minus the IBF belt, which he vacated in spring.

Fury fought impressively in May, leading the fight after the midway stage, but a phenomenal rally from Usyk secured victory, keeping the former cruiserweight king unbeaten. Usyk, 37, even came close to stopping Fury, 36, in round nine, and will take great confidence from that in Saturday’s rematch.

But there was little to take from Wednesday’s open workouts, where Fury laced up his gloves but threw zero punches. That said, his coach Sugarhill Steward did drop some news: that Fury’s father John will not be in the Gypsy King’s corner this time around.

Then, on Thursday, the press conference brought a ridiculous, 12-minute face-off between Fury and Usyk, who both refused to back down despite attempts from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and others.

Follow all the build-up to Usyk vs Fury 2, after Thursday’s press conference, below. You can watch the fight live on DAZN this weekend. (We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.)

Tyson Fury carries out baffling open workout before coach names corner team

Below is a recap of everything that happened at today’s open workout!

Thank you for following along.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more build-up to Saturday’s mega-fight, along with updates from the press conference.

See you then!

Tyson Fury carries out baffling open workout before coach names corner team

Despite donning his gloves, Fury threw zero punches on Wednesday, ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 19:55

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Usyk is now in the ring, shadow boxing and dancing around.

Outside a band is playing (or pretending to play) a song that seems to have lyrics including “Oleksandr Usyk”.

Usyk finishes up and is asked whether he’s better at dancing or boxing. “Dancing,” he says!

He’s asked about Fury seeming to say “hurt” and “damage” during his workout (in which the Briton threw zero punches, remember).

“Okay,” Usyk says as a reaction to Fury’s workout...

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 19:38

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Fury gets his gloves on, eventually hops towards his coach Sugarhill Steward... and then opts not to throw a punch.

And that’s that. Fury’s open workout is done, without a punching being thrown.

Right...

“It was a little workout,” Steward tells DAZN. “We gave it our best.

“Tyson Fury is just ready right now, along with myself. He’s always had like a silly demeanour and [been] playing around, but this is a different side of him. He’s just ready, 100 per cent ready.”

Steward also reveals that Fury’s corner on Saturday will consist of himself, Andy Lee, and a cutman.

So, no John Fury this time, after Tyson’s dad came under criticism for his corner work in May – and for headbutting one of Usyk’s teammates earlier that week.

In general, it was argued by many fans and pundits that Fury had too many voices in his corner.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 19:29

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Onto the main event!

Tyson Fury will be out first... The former heavyweight champion actually makes his way to the ring by crossing the nearby water in a boat! It’s taking a while...

Fury is finally on land and in the ring! He took a while to get there, and he’s taking a while to get going with his workout.

He’s hopping a bit, walking around, kind of stretching. Nothing more yet.

Tyson Fury at the open workout for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury at the open workout for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk (Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Alex Pattle18 December 2024 19:20

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

McKean does his bit, then Itauma takes to the ring.

Itauma, 19, is a big favourite in this one, which – given McKean’s experience – says a lot about the expectations on Itauma to rise to the top of the heavyweight division in short order.

Itauma does some shadow boxing, showing off his lightning speed.

Speaking of lightning speed, Itauma is in and out of the ring in rapid fashion!

Moses Itauma (right) knocks down Ilja Mezencev
Moses Itauma (right) knocks down Ilja Mezencev (Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Alex Pattle18 December 2024 19:03

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Ishmael Davis is the next fighter out, ahead of his super-welterweight bout with Serhii Bohachuk.

Davis steps in after Israil Madrimov recently fell ill.

Bohachuk follows Davis, and we now move back to the heavyweight division.

Unbeaten British teenager Moses Itauma takes on Australia’s Demsey McKean, and the latter is in the ring to shadow box now.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 18:52

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Dave Allen works out next, doing some pad work ahead of his heavyweight clash with former sparring partner Johnny Fisher.

Allen’s workout is soundtracked by “The Whole Of The Moon” by The Waterboys. Another great tune.

Allen makes his exit, and here comes Fisher: the “Romford Bull”.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 18:45

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Super-bantamweight Peter McGrail is in the ring next for some shadow boxing.

You’d assume he’d be followed by opponent Rhys Edwards, who is stepping in for Dennis McCann, after McCann was pulled from Saturday’s card for failing a drug test...

But we’re onto Lee McGregor instead; he boxes Fury’s teammate Isaac Lowe at featherweight this weekend.

Lowe is out after McGregor, to the sound of “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus and Chaka Khan. Stone, cold, classic.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 18:36

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

Novytskyi keeps it nice and loose during his workout, hopping about, looking as if he’s enjoying the music as much as his pad work.

None of the fighters are spending much time in the ring. Will Fury and Usyk get a bit longer?

Dylan Colin is up next. He does some barehand pad work and shadow boxing now, ahead of his light-heavyweight clash with Daniel Lapin.

And here comes Lapin, after Colin leaves the ring. Both men are unbeaten by the way...

Lapin largely bounces around, staying light on his feet, loosening up. He’s donning a pink and gold tracksuit.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 18:28

Fury vs Usyk 2 build-up and open workouts LIVE

First to work out is Joshua Ocampo, ahead of his bout with Mohammed Alakel.

Some impressive flexibility from Ocampo, who opens his workout by doing the splits on the canvas!

Here comes Alakel.

Alakel with some shadow boxing, before Edgar Ramirez enters the ring for some pad work.

Ramirez fights Ukraine’s unbeaten Andrii Novytskyi on Saturday.

Next out is Novytskyi, who defends the WBC International heavyweight title against Ramirez.

Alex Pattle18 December 2024 18:15

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