Explainers

SOMETHING as simple as Vaseline can be the difference between winning and losing inside the boxing ring.Eagle-eyed fans will have noticed that it is used by their favourite stars during trips back to the corner in between rounds. British star Luke Campbell receiving treatment during his fight with Jorge LinaresCredit: Getty Images – GettyWhy do boxers use Vaseline before a fight?Before a fight starts, a boxer will usually have Vaseline dabbed onto their face to protect themselves.It will not decrease the pain, but it can stop punches from connecting properly because it causes the skin to be very ‘slippery’.The cutman in the corner will usually apply it to the nose, lips, cheekbones, jawbone and beneath the eyebrows. Boxers retreat to the corner between roundsCredit: Getty Images – GettyWhy do boxers use Vaseline during a fight?Most boxers will find themselves battered and bleeding after a few rounds in the ring.Vaseline mixed with coagulant can be applied to the open wounds to limit the amount of blood that is lost.The coagulant slows the bleeding and the Vaseline protects the damaged area.If a boxer’s nose is bleeding, the cutman will usually put a dab of Vaseline up it to limit the bleeding. More

TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk could be set to do it all AGAIN later this year after a brilliant bout in Saudi Arabia.The two heavyweights went head to head in the first heavyweight unification fight this CENTURY – with Usyk winning a controversial split decision.Oleksandr Usyk won a split decision in a brilliant heavyweight unification fight against Tyson FuryCredit: GettyAnd in a bout fit for that mantle, Fury and Usyk played out a thrilling battle with both men in control and also struggling at various points in the fight.Usyk started on top before showboating Fury won the middle rounds and appeared to be well on top.However, a ninth-round volley saw Usyk FLOOR Fury and swing momentum back his way.With four major world titles up for grabs both men gave it their all in one of the best fights in memory.READ MORE IN BOXINGIt went to the judges with the fight ending in a controversial split decision going in the Ukrainian’s favour –  115-112, 114-15, 114-113.When is Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch taking place?SunSport understands that a TWO-WAY clause is in place, meaning both men – should they lose – can contractually trigger a rematch.And Saudi boxing chief, H.E. Turki Alalshikh, confirmed before the fight started that Fury vs Usyk II has been pencilled in for the weekend of October 12/13.Alalshikh plans to have the rematch to kick off another Riyadh Season.Most read in BoxingWill all heavyweight titles be on the line in the rematch?Should the rematch take place between Fury and Usyk, they won’t be competing for all the heavyweight titles.That is because the winner of the undisputed bout will be stripped of the IBF strap in order for mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic to finally compete for it.It is not yet know when the belt will be stripped from the eventual winner, but it will happen before Hrgovic takes on Brit Daniel Dubois on June 1.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More

REFEREE Mark Nelson has the biggest job in boxing tonight. The American is set to take charge of Tyson Fury’s huge clash with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. Mark Nelson is a veteran boxing referee and has taken charge of multiple world title fightsCredit: AlamyFury and Usyk have been on a collision course to fight for months and were originally scheduled to clash back in February. A cut to Fury in sparring put the fight back but tonight they’re finally going to do battle. Nelson will be out to make sure the two behemoths in the ring with him keep in line throughout a potential 12 rounds of action. Who is boxing referee Mark Nelson?Nelson, 59, has been a boxing referee since 1992 and is in the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame.Fury vs UsykNelson has taken charge of various world title fights over the years, including Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Jeff Horn back in 2017.He was also the man in the middle for Tim Tszyu’s clash against Brian Mendoza.Known for his quick reaction times in the ring, he was lauded by former world champion Maurice Hooker from stopping his fight against Jose Ramirez back in 2020.Hooker was the man who got stopped in that fight but he had no qualms with the decision Nelson made.Most read in Boxing“Two fighters died that week and I didn’t want to be the third. The ref did the right thing because I was hurt,” Hooker said.Nelson added: “I just knew that if he took one more punch that he’d probably be leaving the ring on a stretcher.In an interview with the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame, Nelson revealed what he says to fighters in the dressing room before they go out to fight.“I promise I’ll be fair,” he said. “I don’t care who wins, but I care about you. I am here for you and your family. Safety comes first.’’ More

TYSON FURY will take on Oleksandr Usyk in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight for almost 25 years.The Gypsy King is the current holder of the WBC strap, while his Ukrainian foe occupies the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.Laura Woods has been one of TNT Sports’ lead presenters since her arrival at the broadcaster in 2023Credit: GETTYShould we see one of the boxing giants triumph tonight, they will become the first undisputed heavyweight champ in the four-belt era.A fight of this magnitude does not come around too often, so multiple broadcasters will be interested in sealing the rights to provide coverage.THREE broadcasting giants will screen tonight’s huge undisputed heavyweight title bout between Fury and Usyk.And one of them is TNT Sports Box Office – but lead presenter Laura Woods has pulled out – SunSport has the reason why below…READ MORE IN BOXINGWhy is Laura Woods not presenting Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk?Laura Woods is one of the nation’s favourite sporting presenters and fans were looking forward to her being on the mic for tonight’s huge bout between Fury and Usyk.But the TNT Sports presenter has withdrawn after she was involved in a freak accident on holiday.Laura Woods has pulled out of presenting duties for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr UsykCredit: @laurawoodsyThe accident led to the presenter slicing her arm openCredit: @laurawoodsyWoods has confirmed she is on the mendCredit: @laurawoodsyWoods accidentally smashed a glass lampshade above her head, causing it to shatter and cut her face and arm.She was taken to an emergency clinic by boyfriend and former Love Island star Adam Collard, who stayed by her bedside as she was attended to by doctors.Most read in BoxingThe 36-year-old addressed the situation on Instagram, she posted: “Just wanted to explain my absence from the telly for a little while, to be totally transparent and avoid any speculation.”I had an accident last weekend at a holiday cottage. I swung a pillow and hit a large, glass lampshade hanging from the ceiling above me, which shattered and cut my face and arms, but luckily missed my eye.”I wanted to say a couple of thank yous, firstly to Adam, for being my hero that day, acting so quickly and not leaving my side since and to his family for taking care of me in a time when I was petrified.”To my agents Alex Maguire and Matthew Odonohue at CAA who searched for the best help immediately.”To Dr Yannis Alexandrides and his wonderful medical assistant Zuzanna at 111 who opened their emergency surgery and came in on their days off, they were so gentle and have already worked magic that I didn’t think was possible to reduce the damage.”I’ve added in the photos from then to now to show that even though it may look rough, it’s such a wonderful improvement already and I’m so grateful.”It was a hell of a shock and I’ve been a bit sad, but I’m feeling very lucky it wasn’t worse. So a big thanks to my eyebrow too, for taking the brunt of it.”I’m gutted I can’t cover the fight in Riyadh tomorrow anymore, but wishing the brilliant TNT boxing team all the best. Be back soon xx.” More