Explainers

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

TYSON FURY faces Oleksandr Usyk in the first undisputed heavyweight title clash since 1999!Fury suffered a nasty gash above his right eye in sparring to see his original clash with Usyk on February 17 go up in smoke as a result.Tyson Fury has lost a stone from his last fight for this oneCredit: ReutersFury holds the WBC title in boxing’s glamour division, while Usyk is in possession of the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine straps. The pair have been on a collision course to fight for 18 months, following Usyk’s rematch win over Anthony Joshua in August 2022. Fury only just overcame boxing debutant and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou last October, as he was knocked down in stunning fashion before going on to win the bout on points. And Fury’s latest scuffle in sparring with heavyweight Agron Smakici, which saw an 11-stitch cut open up below his eyebrow, will be another confidence booster for Usyk. The Ukrainian is looking become the first man in history to win undisputed titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight – and he’s just one win away. A victory for Fury, on the other hand, would set up an all-British mega-bout with Anthony Joshua.Tyson Fury suffered a cut that postponed the Usyk fight from its original date on February 17Credit: X @QueensburyWhen is Fury vs Usyk?
Fury vs Usyk will take place on Saturday, May 18 after the original date of February 17 was postponed.
The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Expect main event ring-walks to get going from around 11pm BST, with the main card likely to start from 6pm BST.
What happened at the weigh-in?Tyson Fury weighed in over a stone LIGHTER than his last fight against Francis Ngannou.Most read in BoxingFury weighed in at 262lbs – 15lbs less than his 277lbs vs Ngannou in October.While Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at 233lbs – a career high and nearly a stone HEAVIER than in his last fight against Daniel Dubois in August.Fury and Usyk clashed at their tense weigh inCredit: ReutersWhat channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
Fury vs Usyk will be broadcast on THREE channels here in the UK.
You can watch the clash on TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office and on DAZN PPV.
A price for the event has yet to be confirmed.
You can stream the action from the TNT Sports Box Office app, Sky Sports Box Office app, or the DAZN app, all of which are available onto your mobile, tablet and Smart TV.
Who are their trainers?Fury has once again prepared for the bout with long-time trainer SugarHill Steward.The pair first teamed up for his second fight against Deontay Wilder in 2020 following the Brit’s split from Ben Davison.Steward now lives in Morecambe in order to train Fury in the town instead of having to travel to the USA for his training camps.The former police officer and chef is also the nephew of Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward and previously worked with the likes of Charles Martin at his uncle’s Kronk Gym.Steward recently split from unbeaten British light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker after coaching him since 2022.Meanwhile, Usyk is trained by Anatoly Lomachenko, the father of fellow Ukrainian fighter Vasiliy.He first teamed up with Lomachenko in 2017 after parting ways with former trainer James Ali Bashir.Lomachenko is a former trainer of the year and also coaches his son out of the same gym in Oxnard, California.Vasiliy is the current IBF and IBO world lightweight champion after beating George Kambosos Jr via technical knockout last weekend.What belts are on the line?The first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis will be crowned on Saturday.It will also be the first time a fighter has held all the heavyweight titles in the four-belt era.Fury’s WBC title is on the line, whilst Usyk is defending his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA (Super) belts.What happened in Fury’s last fight?The Gypsy King last fought in October as he laboured to a controversial split decision victory over Francis Ngannou.He was even knocked down by a left hook from the former UFC champion in the third round.Ngannou had been making his professional boxing debut and has since been knocked out by Joshua in his second bout.Fortunately for Fury, his WBC world title was not on the line.Instead he claimed the WBC Commemorative Riyadh belt as he moved to 34-0-1 with the points win.What happened in Usyk’s last fight?Usyk’s previous fight was also not without controversy, although he won in more convincing fashion.The Cat was leading on the scorecards before securing a ninth round KO victory over Daniel Dubois in Poland last August.His stoppage was the 14th of his professional career to take his record to 21-0.However, Usyk had to survive being floored by a controversial low blow.He was left shaking in agony and stayed down for almost four minutes after being caught just below the belt line by Dubois.SunSport predictionFury and Usyk have established themselves as the two best heavyweights on the planet in recent years.Neither fighter has lost as a professional let alone been finished, with the judges likely to be required this weekend.Fury has shown his durability by taking heavy blows against both Wilder and Ngannou, but it is unclear if these have weakened his chin enough for Usyk to capitalise.The Ukrainian has never been knocked down as a pro but has been far less prolific at finishing fights since moving up to heavyweight.His stoppage of Dubois is his only knockout victory in five fights since leaving the cruiserweight division.SunSport prediction – Usyk on pointsTyson Fury trash talk, Usyk ‘the perfectionist’ and how his sparring partners are all 7ft tall Sun Sport previews Ring of FireFury vs Usyk full cardHere are all of the confirmed fights set to take place on the undercard:
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – undisputed WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis – vacant IBF cruiserweight title
Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace – IBF super-featherweight title
Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez
Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar
Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab
Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mezencev
David Nyika vs Michael Seitz
Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi
Fury and Usyk have been in negotiations to fight since December 2022Credit: ReutersWhat has been said?”I just smiled,” Usyk said upon hearing of the postponement news.”And said ‘OK – I will finish my training and I will do my work stretching my back’.”Tyson. Hi, my brother. Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone.”I’m still happy – things happen, it’s life,” he said.”I’m very happy because I now go to Ukraine. I see my two daughters and my wife. I go to my church and pray. A little bit of rest and back to my camp.”Fury said of the postponement: “I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.”I can only apologise to everyone affected including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners, and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” More