Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk is celebrating a historic night in Saudi Arabia after beating Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years. The Ukrainian deservedly came out on top in a captivating main event at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, starting extremely well and then weathering a Fury comeback in the middle rounds before almost stopping his long-time rival in the ninth and eventually taking a split decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Two had the bout 115-112 and 114-113 in favour of Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the very first of the four-belt era who also previously reigned as the first four-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion. Another judge controversially scored the bout 114-113 in favour of Fury, who lost his WBC belt in a first professional defeat as he plots swift revenge in a contracted rematch that is expected to take place in October.
We also saw Joe Cordina stunned by Anthony Cacace on Saturday night to lose his IBF super-featherweight title in a first career loss of his own, while Jai Opetaia outlasted Mairis Briedis to regain the IBF cruiserweight belt. Moses Itauma and Mark Chamberlain both recorded vicious early knockouts, while Agit Kabayel stopped the previously unbeaten Frank Sanchez and Sergey Kovalev's return ended in disappointing defeat by Robin Safar. Follow Fury vs Usyk reaction live below!
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Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 3
Not too many fireworks in the third, but Opetaia is firmly on top through three. He’s boxing well and smartly, forcing the pace and wearing down Briedis with some solid shots.
Briedis is a little gun-shy, no doubt wary of being countered sharply again.
The Latvian tries to land a big overhand right that is brushed off by his rival.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 2
Spoke too soon as Opetaia steps on the accelerator early in the second.
He tees up and connects with some heavy shots that offer a sharp reminder of the significant power he carries in both hands.
He expertly ducked a hook from Briedis there and then quickly caught him flush with a big overhand counter right, putting together a powerful combination that hurt the Latvian.
He won’t want to take too many of those.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Round 1
A tentative opening round.
Cagey stuff as both fighters exercise early caution, which we certainly haven’t seen from Opetaia in his last couple of fights.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Here we go with the chief support act of the night!
Can Briedis roll back the years despite that long absence and cause a shock?
It’s a huge ask...
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Opetaia outpointed Briedis in a truly gruelling battle in Australia two years ago, despite suffering a double jaw fracture.
He won the IBF and The Ring titles that night, later defending against Jordan Thompson at Wembley Arena before being stripped before his savage first-round knockout of another Briton in Ellis Zorro on the Joshua-Wallin undercard in Riyadh in December. The destructive, undefeated 24-0 (19 knockouts) Australian southpaw now has a huge chance to get it back against veteran Briedis, Latvia’s legendary three-time world champion who has not fought since that first bout with Opetaia and at 39 might find things very difficult tonight.
Few more impressive destructive punchers in world boxing right now than Opetaia.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Just one more fight to go now before Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing history.
It’s a rematch of the July 2022 war between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title.
Michael Conlan congratulates fellow Belfast fighter Anthony Cacace after that major upset...
Cacace is understandably absolutely delighted, as is promoter Frank Warren, who strikes an early blow on rival-turned-friend Eddie Hearn a couple of weeks before the 5v5 card in Riyadh in a couple of weeks.
Cacace says no one gave him a chance as he heralds his team and indicates a desire to fight in Saudi Arabia for the rest of his career.
He also goads the likes of Zelfa Barrett and insists there was no controversy after he threw a punch on Cordina after the referee had called for the break before the knockdown in round three.
Joe Cordina stunned by Anthony Cacace
A huge shock in Riyadh!
Cordina continues to get absolutely battered by Cacace in the eighth.
With the Welshman trapped against the ropes, absorbing more massive punishment and not throwing back, the referee steps in to wave it off.
WOW!
Anthony Cacace adds the IBF super-featherweight title to his IBO belt.
Who saw this coming?! The first defeat of Cordina’s 18-fight professional career.
A stunning achievement for the 35-year-old from Belfast.
Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Round 7
More bruising punishment for a tired and hurt Cordina throughout the seventh.
Cacace is looking really confident now, thriving on having this fight at close range and continuing to rain down such heavy shots.
Cordina is doing really well just to stay in there.