00:47:17

WHAT A NIGHT, WE HAVE A NEW KING

A fantastic show, topped by the headliner of all headliners. Usyk is a deserved winner. It took two warriors to tango.

I’m out, but I’ll catch you in the next one. Cheers for following along. Good night from Steve.

00:40:58

USYK IS THE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

The scorecards are in. We have a verdict. We…have….a…winner.

Mike Fitzgerald: 114-113 Usyk

Craig Metcalfe: 114-113 Fury

Manuel Oliver Palomo: 115-112 Usyk

00:34:23

AMAZING SCRAP

A brilliant fight has ended. That bout had it all, with so much on the line. Heart, guts, controversy.

Just waiting for the scores.

00:25:52

FURY RIDING OUT THE STORM

A better round 10 for Fury who is remarkably back in this fight. Two rounds to go. A contest befitting of the undisputed heavyweight championship.

00:21:51

FURY OUT ON HIS FEET

Wow, Fury is dropped in round nine! Referee Mark Nelson takes an age to count him. Fury survives the round. Unbelievable.

00:16:56

SEARCHING FOR FRESHNESS

Quality work from both men here. Usyk must rely on his stamina and fitness carrying him through and hoping that Fury tires out. Fury doesn’t seem to be working to maximum capacity. He’s taking breaks as Usyk stands off for too long, understandably so.

Usyk has a better round eight, pushing Fury back. Superb changes in momentum as Fury bleeds.

00:09:11

DOMINANT SIXTH FOR FURY

Usyk wobbled in the sixth round as Usyk felt the power and size. The swiping left hook is working off the jab for Fury, who taunts Usyk.

00:05:34

STORYLINES

So many little twists and turns. Fury is on top now, pounding Usyk’s body. Usyk making him work. Will that catch up on Fury late on? Can Usyk remain composed down the stretch?

00:01:30

ON A KNIFE EDGE

Fury’s corner is fairly animated but it’s on a knife edge here in Riyadh. Fury is working hard while Usyk has a slight cut on his right eye. Was that from a round-four head clash?

23:57:05

FURY SETTLING DOWN

Fury’s jab is becoming more of a weapon. Usyk has the hand speed, but Fury is measuring him better and leaning on him more to try and drain the tank. Usyk is complaining to the referee.

23:52:33

EARLY TENSION

Fury stabbed his southpaw jab and left to the body. Fury hanging on the ropes, clowning for a moment. Feel the nerves inside the arena.

Usyk bounced while Fury took a little look. An early left hand made Fury blink as he found an opening.

That left, followed by a right hand, landed in the second round as well. Fury snatched an uppercut at the close of the second round.

23:37:56

FURY AND USYK IN THE RING

That’s quite the entrance from both men. Contrasting styles and approaches. Usyk is all business. Fury danced his way to the biggest stage of all.

National anthems ring out. Michael Buffer introduces the two combatants. Mark Nelson brings them together to decide heavyweight undisputed in 12 rounds or less. Let’s go.

23:02:07

OPETAIA WINS THE TITLE

24 tough rounds have now been shared between these two. Similar to the first fight, Briedis came on strong late and just ran out of road as Sky commentator Andy Clarke rightly explained.

Opetaia is the new IBF cruiserweight champion, confirmed by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

The two fights remind me of the fights between Tomasz Adamek and Paul Briggs (at light-heavyweight). Both gruelling scraps with a fairly clear winner.

22:51:19

BOUNCE BACK BRIEDIS

It’s getting interesting in Riyadh as a bloody Opetaia looks under pressure. Is his jaw damaged again? All set for an interesting final session.

22:48:25

BRIEDIS NEEDS A BIG FINISH

Good exchange in the 10th as Opetaia landed a left hand but was caught himself by a little uppercut. The Aussie held on for dear life and the bell sounded for a reset.

22:38:15

OPPORTUNISTIC OPETAIA

A moment in round eight summed up Briedis’s woes as he scurried forward and just fell short as Opetaia skipped out of range and used his long levers to jab away at his foe.

Opetaia can be explosive, but tonight, he’s been clever and risk-averse, choosing the times to attack and the times to slide across the ropes and out of danger.

22:32:06

BUSTED UP BRIEDIS

Briedis is as tough as old boots, no denying it. Opetaia has smashed his nose open and things are getting ugly. Opetaia can punch extremely hard. What can Briedis do differently to turn it around?

22:27:26

REACTIVE BRIEDIS

The Latvian former champion is reacting a lot to Opetaia’s attacks, which is all he can really do. Occasionally there has been a gap to exploit but Briedis has not been quick enough to pounce.

Even when not landing shots, Jai Opetaia is dictating the range and making Briedis wary of overcommitting.

Opetaia (left) vs. Briedis (Getty Images)

22:15:07

OPTIMAL OPETAIA

Jai Opetaia has the bit between his teeth here. Bouncing on the outside like a coiled spring, waiting to unload. Mairis Briedis has been out of the ring for a long time, and he’s trying to find his timing and establish a rhythm. Two rounds in and he can’t wait too long for it all to click.

22:04:27

OPETAIA AND BRIEDIS REMATCH

Should be a good one this, for the IBF cruiserweight title. Two hard, proud men who won’t back down easily. Opetaia looks fresh and ferocious. Briedis put a lot of damage on him last time. This will be a war for as long as it lasts.

21:39:05

AND THE NEW…

Anthony Cacace is the new IBF champion of the world! An amazing display from the Belfastman, who used skill, power, work rate, absolutely everything to prevail. Once he hurt Cordina, he just kept pushing him back and landing hard shot after hard shot.

Cordina showed warrior spirit, but he was fighting hurt. Carrying a buzzed mindset round after round, never seemed to recover from round three.

21:31:52

CRACKING CACACE

The bell for the end of round six comes at just the right time for Cordina, who is eating uppercuts like sandwiches. A few Cacace body shots are flying in for good measure. Cordina can’t keep taking these. He’s on his last legs right now.

21:29:04

WHAT A SHOT

This was the moment in round three that had Cordina rocking and rolling on the ropes. In to round six now. Cacace looking like the puncher in there.

21:23:56

CHAMPIONSHIP SCRAP

Cordina got his legs back under him in the fourth round. Gave us a chance to grab a breath after that third round. Cordina copped a huge uppercut and was down hard. Ref Bob Williams definitely hovering.

Beginning of the end, or a wake-up call moment? In fine balance.

21:20:30

CACACE ON THE VERGE?

Round three and Cordina is in huge trouble! Hurt by a left hook, the (just about still) champion was wobbling around and survived the third round by the skin of his teeth. Sensational from Cacace.

21:12:08

CACACE THE APACHE

It’s taken him a while to get here, but some felt world level was always the destination for Cacace. Nicknamed the “Andytown Apache,” that is a reference to Andersonstown, an area of west Belfast. Anthony was also a very good amateur.

As was Cordina, who transitioned well into the professional game. Joe had to go back to the well and win the IBF for a second time which showed his immense mental resilience. Looking sharp midway through the second round here, Cordina.

21:07:19

WELSH WIZARD IN THE RING

Joe Cordina defending his IBF super-featherweight title against Belfast’s Anthony Cacace. Should be a good one this. Round one underway.

20:53:00

PICS OF THE WINNER

A couple of pictures to tell the story. Frank being counted out and a winner who deserves his shot at the title.

20:40:23

KABAYEL THE KRUSHER!

Wow, that was outstanding from Agit Kabayel, who grabbed a stoppage in round seven. Frank Sanchez went down from a wicked body shot combination. Later in the round, a poking jab to the breadbasket finished him off.

What a work rate from Kabayel. Hands high, lovely body shots and never strayed from the gameplan. Sanchez was lacklustre, lacking engine, lacking his unbeaten record. Who’ll fight him now?

20:28:06

KABAYEL THE BOSS

It’s Kabayel’s fight to lose going into round six. He’s dictated the pace and looks on top. If he can maintain the engine, then he can win this fight.

Sanchez struggling to keep the German off him. Blowing hard as well. Needs to find that vaunted power to turn things around.

Kabayel (left) dominating Sanchez (Getty Images)

20:18:20

KABAYEL FORCING THE PACE

This is a good start from these two. I’m already eating my words about the mesh of styles. Kabayel is opting to push forward and hammer the body.

Sanchez is very fast and explosive. He can’t afford to just languish on the ropes all night.

20:07:03

FINISHED IN A FLASH?

We are getting to the business end of things now. From the learning stage of the heavyweight division (Itauma) right up to a couple of guys on the verge of world title opportunities. Trained by Eddy Reynoso, Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez faces Agit Kabayel.

It’s a WBC world title eliminator. Their styles might not match up well, let’s be honest. Expect a highly skilled affair.

19:46:40

MOSES DESTROYS OPPONENT IN TWO

Itauma turned it on towards the end of the first round. Mezencev overextended for a split second and paid the price. In round two, a right hook to the side of the head removed Mezencev from his senses. The loser stumbled and staggered around, trying to convince Howard Foster that he was cognisant. He wasn’t and it was waved off.

Itauma impresses (Getty Images)

19:34:04

MOSES ITAUMA READY TO RUMBLE

Heavy-handed prospect Moses Itauma is only 19 and he’s already blasting people away for fun. Opponent Ilja Mezencev isn’t exactly brimming with confidence during the ringwalks. A big puncher on paper, let’s see what he’s got.

19:11:31

ON THE MARK IN ROUND ONE

Mark Chamberlain exploded in the first round, catching Wahab with a peach of a left hand to signal the beginning of the end. Cool, calm and collected, Chamberlain backed Wahab up in the corner and landed a flurry to finish it off. Simple as that.

19:04:22

CHAMBERLAIN UP NEXT

On with the show we go. Mark Chamberlain coming out to James Brown, which is a solid start to the evening for him. Chamberlain is an exciting puncher and he’s up against the “Wealth Machine” Joshua Wahab.

18:43:30

JOY FOR SAFAR WHO OUTWORKS KOVALEV

At the end of round 10, Safar landed a swiping left hook followed by a thumping right hand that saw Sergey wither and fall to the canvas. It took all the effort he could muster to rise and hear the final bell. A hollow victory on the road to defeat, as confirmed by the judges’ scores of 97-92, 99-90 and 95-94 in Safar’s favour.

We may well have witnessed the end of Sergey Kovalev’s career. He tried to roll back the years at the end with a few wild shots. Most looked forced and pushed as Safar turned up the gas and put the icing on top of his cake. Peak Krusher has long passed.

18:34:09

TIRED OLD KOVALEV

It’s a little bit sad watching a veteran fighter try to roll back the years. Does Kovalev even have enough energy to find that long-forgotten equaliser? Safar has been fit and functional, doing exactly what he needs to do, aided by a competent corner.

Prime Kovalev would be a different animal altogether. That version is long, long gone. Safar could be a handful for the top cruisers, but perhaps nothing beyond a handful.

18:22:42

SAFAR SO GOOD

This is all going well for the Swede right now. Kovalev looking like a 41-year-old, years past his best and too high up in weight.

Kovalev is working hard to keep himself in it, but you feel that he needs a big shot to turn the tide or make a dent in Safar. The brisk pace is clearly favouring the younger man.

18:08:51

KOVA JAB

Safar targeting Kovalev’s body, which is a sound tactic. What kind of condition is Kovalev in? His jab is starting to find a home, increasingly. Early on, Kovalev struggled a little to find his timing.

Safar looks fit and strong. Not much flair in what he’s doing. Fairly effective, however, from the younger man.

Sergey Kovalev (right) vs. Robin Safar (Getty Images)

18:00:59

KRUSHER IN AGAINST SAFAR

Don’t blink because Sergey Kovalev is in the ring. Opponent Robin Safar has been given a bit of a build-up in some quarters so let’s see what he brings to the ring.

Kovalev could always punch. Has his dig carried up to cruiserweight?

17:45:30

NYIKA SCORES FOURTH-ROUND STOPPAGE

Nyika taking over now. Seitz tiring and feeling sorry for himself. Nyika is a big unit; a bit stiff and square-on at times though. How will that serve him when he steps up in class?

Doesn’t matter here as Seitz crumbles into the ropes, exhausted in round four. Bloody nose for Seitz who accepts Mr Foster’s intervention at 2-45 of the fourth. Nyika wins the vacant IBF International cruiserweight title.

17:38:19

SEITZ ROLLING BACK THE YEARS

Seitz rolling in and out like Glencoffe Johnson (there’s a name from the recent past for you). Responsible defence, strong, relentless approach. He ships a few jabs, but to be fair to Nyika, his left jab is very strong.

I wonder if Seitz’s face will start displaying the scars of battle as the rounds go on. Nyika looks naturally heavy-handed. Not have it all his own way, though, as he targets the body.

17:28:53

SEITZ MATTERS

Noticeable size disparity in all three fights so far. Nyika is the big man here, although Seitz is closing the gap at every opportunity.

Howard Foster is the referee. Nyika needs to use his jab to stop Seitz just walking straight inside.

17:25:19

NYIKA IN THE RING

David Nyika entered the ring in some interesting headgear. Not quite up there with some of the great attire entrances of old, such as Joe Joyce or the Bernard Hopkins ‘Alien’ theme.

Anyway…on with the show. This next one is an eight-rounder where Nyika faces Michael Seitz.

16:16:49

LAPIN DONE AND DUSTED IN ONE

That didn’t last long. Pudivitr is down and out in round one. Lapin hurt him with a right-left combo and Pudivitr fell in the corner, taking a few shots while on the ground. A higher profile fight and that might’ve been an issue, but Williams waved it off.

Pudivitr perhaps suffered a scratched eyeball, given the nature of the finish. Lapin seemed happy enough with his night’s work and he won the WBA Continental light-heavyweight championship for his troubles.

16:07:00

LAPIN UP THE ATMOSPHERE

Next up is undefeated Ukrainian Daniel Lapin, who will take on Portugal’s Octavio Pudivitr. Some size of a unit is Lapin. Knows how to box a bit too. Should be interesting this one. Bob Williams is the third man in the ring.

15:56:12

LOWE BEATS AHMADI ON POINTS

Ahmadi buzzed again at the end of the 10th, but he managed to last the distance. There was plenty of bravery from the Dubai-based fighter, but let’s be honest: In terms of a boxing match, he was second best for a long portion of that fight.

A confident Isaac Lowe wins 97-92 on referee Mark Bates’ solo scorecard. That’s the first contest in the books.

15:46:48

AHMADI DOWN!

A lovely left hook drops Ahmadi at the end of round eight. Breakthrough for Lowe who also hurts him to the body. He’s hurt again, eye badly bleeding, just about survived the round.

15:41:18

ISAAC SLOW?

Ahmadi has fancied it all week, and he’s fired up going through round seven. Lowe is boxing really well from range, but the work is getting a little more laboured. A good jab is the key for the Morecambe man.

15:28:55

BACK-AND-FORTH EXCHANGES

Ahmadi has a cut on the side of the left eye. Referee Mark Bates is keeping them in control as Ahmadi rushes forward, no doubt concerned about the injury.

Heads flying at times. Lowe punching hard and accurately, especially with the right hand. Looks decent here, Isaac. Can he last the pace?

15:20:13

GOOD EARLY ACTION

Lowe working well behind the jab and catching Ahmadi with the uppercut as well at times. Size difference is apparent despite Lowe being the lighter man. Ahmadi taking centre ring.

15:14:08

LOWE IN THE RING

First into the ring, Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe and Afghanistan’s Hasibullah Ahmadi engaging in a featherweight 10-rounder. Round one underway.

14:52:27

A VERY WARM WELCOME!

Good afternoon everybody. Thank you for joining me on this live update blog. I (Steve) will be watching the early portion of the card alongside you, before Declan takes the reins and guides you through the main fights.

It’s baking hot in Riyadh and the heat will no doubt rise as the evening progresses. Should be a good one.

Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated clash for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Undercard action begins at 3pm UK, 10am ET, and 8am PT.

Fury vs Usyk Weights and Running Order

Tyson Fury 262 lbs. vs. Oleksandr Usyk 223.5 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

David Nyika 198.1 lbs vs. Michael Seitz 198.5 lbs

Cruiserweight – 8 rounds

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

Isaac Lowe 125.5 lbs vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi 127.7 lbs

Featherweight – 10 rounds