Aurelia Butler

FURIOUS fans fumed there was “more atmosphere in Greggs” than in the Kingdom Arena ahead of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.The two unbeaten heavyweights finally step into the ring together tonight in the biggest fight of the century.Fans slammed the lack of atmosphere ahead of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr UsykAnthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo sat next to each other in the Kingdom ArenaCredit: ReutersThe two fighters put all the belts on the line aiming to become undisputed world champion.However, fans watching on at home were utterly underwhelmed by the lack of anticipation and excitement inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh during the undercard in the build-up to the main event.And they were not afraid to make their feelings clear on social media. One said: “Decent fights, but there’s was more atmosphere in Greggs earlier.”READ MORE ON BOXINGA second joked: “Atmosphere in saudi is f***ing w***. Could hear a mouse fart!”A third added: “More atmosphere at a wake than at the boxing!”A fourth commented: “Zero atmosphere at the boxing, might as well have this match in the car park at the local Morrisons. Let’s hope it livens up for the main event!”A fifth typed: “Isn’t it awful to see one of the biggest fights in boxing history and the atmosphere is shocking! Taking away the spectacle of boxing and what an atmosphere brings to it! Sad to see.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother wrote: “I’ve seen fights in leisure centres with better atmosphere.”And a final user replied: “You would think there was a problem with the audio the way this atmosphere is.”Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for Fury vs UsykTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHTThere was a star-studded line-up ringside for the mega fight night – with Cristiano Ronaldo sat next to Anthony Joshua.But the iconic Portuguese footballer was sensationally booed by some members of the crowd as he made his way to the seat. More

JAI OPETAIA held off a Maris Briedis fight back to reclaim the IBF cruiserweight world title and settle their bloody two-fight rivalry.The 2022 original went to Opetaia on points but the Aussie southpaw suffered a double-fractured jaw.Jai Opetaia is a two-time world cruiserweight championCredit: GettyThe Aussie busted his rival’s nose open during the boutCredit: GettyBriedis was left a bloody mess after his crushing defeatCredit: ReutersHowever it was Briedis who spent the last two years out recovering before making his return on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.The 39-year-old Latvian three-time boxing champ jumped straight back into the action with the rematch and made a slow start.But he busted the 28-year-old Australian up late on and seemed hard done by when the scores were called: 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.The southpaw powerhouse threw long spearing jabs at the Latvian veteran’s head and body from the off.READ MORE ON BOXINGWhen they didn’t land he took his foot off the gas and bounced around the ring on the prowl.The action dried up quickly but Briedis did tag his designer stubble back with a short right hand his fans enjoyed.There were two wild firefights in the second session, one at the very beginning and one around the midway point.Without too much jabbing or trap setting, the pair bounced into opposite corners and slugged it out.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt seemed certain one of the 14st 4lbs tough men would drop but they beat gravity as well as each other.The third chapter was more mellow, apart from Briedis’ dirty habit of slamming fists illegally into the softer, back section of Opetaia’s head.Fury fans are in full voice with renditions of ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Fury’s on Fire’ ahead of undisputed clash with Oleksandr UsykOpetaia dominated the middle rounds but with industry and determination rather than eye-catching punches or damage inflicted on tough-as-old-boots Briedis.There was a drastic dip in quality and action until the end of round ten when Opetaia landed a massive right hand that spread blood all over Briedis’ face.Opetaia’s peak was short lived, Briedis landed a handful of uppercuts even with his face swelling and blood mixing with his sweat and soaking him.And the dogged veteran chased his supposed heir all around the ring throwing shots and busting his nose with a right hand, before ref Howard Foster sent it to the judges’ cards.Opetaia said after his win: “Shout out to my family. Briedis, I’m honoured to share a ring with him.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT“He’s a tough dude. He wanted it, I could hear it. I could hear the pain in his punches. Take my hat off to him.“We knew we were in for a tough fight, we were ready for 12 rounds of war and that’s what we got. I knew he would come home strong.“It rocked me when he headbutted my nose. I broke his nose and he broke mine.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I want the WBO next, I want the winner of Billam-Smith and Riakporhe.“I’m not that happy with my performance, I can do better. We’ll go back and we’ll improve.”Saudi Arabia is no place for Fury vs Usyk… the blockbuster undisputed fight will sound desertedBy Dave Kidd
IT is the single greatest individual sporting title on the planet — the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
It is the crown worn by Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano and Jack Dempsey.
And it is an honour which has not been bestowed for a quarter of a century.
Yet when Tyson Fury steps into the ring to face Oleksandr Usyk for the ultimate accolade in prize-fighting, he will do so in the dead of an Arabian night, in front of a largely disinterested crowd, one with little atmosphere or sense of occasion.
What ought to have been The Greatest Show on Earth will feel like a ding-dong held in a vortex.
The Saudification of elite sport is reaching crisis point — from the civil war in golf, to the march of football’s filthy-rich Saudi Pro League, to the awarding of the 2034 World Cup.
But this event, at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, in the early hours of Sunday morning local time, is a true crown jewel, allowing the Sheikhs to bask in its reflected glory, to marvel at their own wealth and power.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr met Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at the same venue earlier this year but that was an exhibition match, this is the real deal.
The tragedy for British boxing is that it currently holds the balance of power in the heavyweight  division — thanks to Fury, Anthony Joshua and several other decent contenders.
To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO had Anthony Joshua in stitches with his ringside antics before Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk. Both sporting superstars took their seat in Riyadh ahead of Fury’s historic undisputed title fight with Usyk.Anthony Joshua with Cristiano Ronaldo ringsideJoshua was in stitches with Ronaldo’s ringside anticsJoshua could not hold his laughterAnd the two were captured having a laugh after Ronaldo began shadow boxing in front of former world champion AJ. The Manchester United legend – wearing a £3,350 Gucci jacket and short combo – took his seat next to Joshua earlier in the night. But he was awkwardly BOOED after making his way into the arena, wearing a £1.2MILLION watch. Ronaldo watched Fury, 35, controversially win a points verdict over ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou, 37, in October.READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd fans reacted hilariously to UFC icon Conor McGregor, 35, giving him an earful from ringside.AJ has twice lost to Usyk, 37, but hopes to face Fury later down the line in a blockbuster Battle of Britain bout as he arrived ringside.Although he sided with his former rival to win the fight of the century after 24 hard-fought rounds shared.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe told talkSPORT: “Well look I’ve fought Oleksandr Usyk so I can go only speak on what I have experienced from him.Most read in Boxing”Phenomenal fighter, does everything to a tee and I would say he is going to do a really good job.”I have never fought Tyson Fury so I can’t really speak on how he will perform or what it is like to face him so only speaking on what I know I would have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.”Joshua and Ronaldo sharing a word ringsideCredit: Getty More

THE winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk will only be able to call themselves undisputed champion for a matter of weeks.The pair face off in the first undisputed heavyweight bout since 1999 tonight in what has been dubbed “the fight of the century”.The winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s bout will only keep hold of their undisputed title for a matter of weeksCredit: EPAFury is defending his WBC title, while Usyk is putting his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line in Riyadh.And despite all the attention and build up to the first undisputed heavyweight bout in over 25 years, the winner’s status will only last a fraction of that time.Boxing journalist Dan Rafael has reported that the winner of tonight’s bout will maintain the undisputed title for “less than two weeks”.It’s said that both Fury and Usyk’s contracts dictate that they must vacate the the IBF title ahead of overdue mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic’s bout with Daniel Dubois.READ MORE IN BOXINGHrgovic and Dubois face off on June 1, just 14 days after tonight’s fight.Hrgovic has been the mandatory challenger for some 18 months and will be competing for his first world title since turning pro.The 31-year-old is unbeaten in his 17 fights since switching to professional boxing after his Olympic bronze in 2016 as an amateur.Fury and Usyk could maintain the belt on a temporary basis, however.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHTIf the “Ring of Fire” fight lives up to expectations as an eye-catching thriller, all four belts could be held together for the rematch.Should that be the case then Hrgovic’s fight with Dubois would most likely be for an INTERIM world title.Legendary celebs arrive for Fury vs Usyk; Ronaldo, Joshua, Klitschko and moreSaudi Arabia chief Turki Alalshikh has revealed that the winner of Hrgovic vs Dubois will go on to face Anthony Joshua in September of this year.AJ has returned to form and will ultimately be eyeing an all-British bout between himself and Tyson Fury in the future too.Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois will compete for a shot at the IBF title on June 1Credit: GettyAnthony Joshua is set to fight the winner of Hrgovic vs DuboisCredit: Reuters More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Cristiano Ronaldo were captured sharing a moment from ringside in Saudi Arabia. Both sporting superstars took their seat in Riyadh ahead of Tyson Fury’s historic undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo captured sharing a moment from ringsideCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsBoxingAJ and Ronaldo made it in time to watch heavyweight pair Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez go at it. And Kabayel pulled off a remarkable performance to win by stoppage and put himself in line for a WBC title shot. TNT Sports’ Steve Bunce joked that Ronaldo told AJ: “You know what AJ, this Agit is a bit better than I thought he was.” Kabayel, 31, became the first man to beat Cuban Sanchez, also 31, and has now put himself in line for the WBC belt. READ MORE ON RONALDOHe said: “I am very happy, we trained very hard for this opportunity.”As you see, we win. I see he had not conditioned [to the body].”I see it and I finished the fight. The Liver King is back!”Kabayel will await the winner of the night’s main event between Fury, 35, and Usyk, 37, who contest for all four belts. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the winner faces getting stripped of the IBF belt as they will be unable to defend it against mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic. Instead, Fury and Usyk and contracted to a rematch already with Hrgovic, 31, to fight Daniel Dubois, 26, for the vacant IBF strap on June 1. And Joshua, 34, could then fight either Hrgovic or Dubois in September at Wembley. Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for Fury vs Usyk More

CRISTIANO RONALDO was BOOED as he rocked up to Kingdom Arena for Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk.The former Manchester United star, 39, was in the house as boxing’s biggest fight in over 20 years came to his backyard.Cristiano Ronaldo rocked up in a £400k FerrariCredit: x / @boxingontntRonaldo, 39, made his way to the venue alongside son Cristiano Jr, 13Credit: x / @boxingontntThe veteran forward was booed by some fans as he entered the arenaCredit: x / @boxingontntRonaldo has been in Saudi Arabia since December 2022, having left Old Trafford the previous month.The veteran forward attended Fury’s victory over Francis Ngannou last October.And he took his place ringside for the Gypsy King’s latest bout tonight.Ronaldo arrived in a stunning £400,000 Ferrari Purosangue alongside his son Cristiano Jr, 13.READ MORE ON RONALDOHe then strolled into the VIP entrance, grinning as he did so.Asked for a prediction, he said: “I don’t know… 50-50.”As he entered the gangway leading to the ring, Ronaldo was spotted by frenzied fans.Some even booed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been jeered at several Saudi Pro League matches this season.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRonaldo asked Anthony Joshua ‘how are you, big man?’, as his £1.2m watch glistenedCredit: x / @boxingontntThe duo exchanged pleasantries while sat ringsideCredit: x / @boxingontntRonaldo hugs Saudi boxing chief Turki AlalshikhCredit: x / @boxingontntOften fans have directed “Messi” chants at the forward, in a nod to Ronaldo’s great rival.Other boxing ticket holders screamed his name tonight, while one even yelled his “Siu” catchphrase,Legendary celebs arrive for Fury vs Usyk; Ronaldo, Joshua, Klitschko and moreRonaldo rocked up in a cream jacket and shorts Gucci combo.The ensemble will have set CR7 back a cool £3,350.He completed his look with a dazzling £1.2million diamond encrusted-watch.The blingy Franck Muller watch, which is finished with 424 glistening white diamonds, sparkled on Ronaldo’s wrist as he took in the action. As he found his seat, Ronaldo shook hands with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.He then exchanged pleasantries with Turki Alalshikh, the man behind bringing the recent glut of mega-fights to Saudi Arabia.Ronaldo then took his seat between Joshua and Turki, asking the former: “How are you big man?”The former Real Madrid superstar was also booed while attending Fury vs Ngannou last year.Telly coverage at the time showed his awkward reaction to the boos, with Laura Woods joking: “The director is going to get fired.”Ronaldo watched AJ fight Otto Wallin in Riyadh back in December.READ MORE SUN STORIESAt the time he sat ringside next to Conor McGregor.The Irishman, 35, was particularly animated while spotted with Ronaldo, as fans joked that the footballer looked “terrified”.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More