Explainers

TYSON FURY will be out for revenge TONIGHT as he faces Ukrainian heavy-hitter in a blockbuster Riyadh rematch – but his beard could be a problem.The Gypsy King has been sporting a full beard since he arrived in Saudi which was most noticeable on Friday’s weigh-in where he tipped the scales at a staggering Tyson Fury has been sporting a bushy beardCredit: AFPAnd there has been a row in Usyk’s camp who insist that it should be trimmed as they believe it could be used as an advantage during the fight.Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk was most vocal about this and has even pointed to WBC’s regulations to support his argument.Even claiming that they’ll push things “further” if needs be despite the thrilling heavyweight clash just being HOURS away.Fury vs Usyk 2 – top storiesREAD MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..All the info:News, features and interviews: Should Tyson Fury’s beard be banned after Usyk’s complaint?According to WBC’s regulations, the length of a boxer’s beard is at the discretion of the commission and the supervisor.Read more on Usyk vs Fury 2This was explained on Sky Sports by Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk where he said: “Beard rule is grossly violated.”WBC rules clearly say: ‘A boxer may spouse a trimmed beard and/or moustache as long as, in the discretion of the commission and the supervisor, the facial hair thickness does not: (1) cushion or in any way affect the impact or trajectory of punches; or (2) cause cuts or abrasions to his rival.'”So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”What is the final verdict?WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman disputed Krassyuk’s interpretation and quickly dismissed the promoter’s beard argument.Sulaiman said: “There’s a regulation and the boxing commission inspected him and there is no issue.”Mind games. These are the mind games for a big fight.”Most read in BoxingWhat has Oleksandr Usyk said?Ukrainian mogul Oleksandr Usyk has revealed that he has no concerns about Fury’s lengthy beard.Speaking to IFL TV, Usyk said: “For me, it does not matter. For me. It does not help Tyson Fury.”How to watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office will all be broadcasting Usyk vs Fury once again.The cost to purchase the PPV on TNT and DAZN is £24.99, while the event is priced at £24.95 on Sky Sports.Usyk vs Fury 2 on TNT Sports Box Office can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media TV and Prime Video.You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event. More

JOHNNY FISHER and formerly retired Dave Allen will go at it on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk – and the bill fight times have been revealed!Allen, 32, made the shock decision to hang up his gloves in 2020 stating that he ‘doesn’t want to get punched anymore’.Dave Allen made a shock retirement u-turnHowever, the Doncaster ace made a sensational retirement u-turn before beating Andrea Pesce in an August 2021 dust-up.Since then, Allen’s has gone on to win four out of his last fights with which includes two consecutive points victories over Jake Darnell and Amine Boucetta.But son of TikTok star Big John, Fisher, could be one his toughest opponents yet as he has won both of his previous two fights with a first-round knockout.And SunSport has the EXACT time for when these two heavyweights will face off ahead of tonight’s main event.What time does Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen start and how can I watch it?Ring-walk times for Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen is yet to be confirmed but it is on the main card which gets underway from 7pm UK time/2pm ET.It will certainly be before Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s huge fight and that starts at approximately 11pm UK time/6pm ET.However, timings could change depending on the length of the undercard bouts.Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is the allocated arena for this huge event and it can host around 26,000 spectators.The huge flight will be streamed on DAZN, Sky Sports and TNT.Alternatively, SunSport will LIVE blog the full card.Read more on Fury vs Usyk 2Fury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematchWho else is on the card?Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are at the top of the bill but Serhii Bohachuk faces Israil Madrimov as the co-main.And Moses Itauma is also set to take on Demsey McKean in a blockbuster encounter.Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk; For Usyk’s WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titlesSerhii Bohachuk vs Israil MadrimovMoses Itauma vs Demsey McKeanJohnny Fisher vs Dave AllenDennis McCann vs Peter McGrailIsaac Lowe vs Lee McGregorWhat has been said?Dave Allen sent a chilling warning to Johnny Fisher.Most read in BoxingSpeaking on talkSPORT, Allen said “I’m 32 but the thing is like when I boxed David Price, he was finished, he was shot, and I was the young kid coming through, it’s the same thing.”Johnny Fisher’s smarter than me, like he’s switched on, but he’s a 25-year-old kid who’s never boxed anybody.”He’s gonna get the shock of his life when he’s trying to hit me. He won’t hit me.”That’s the thing I boxed Dylan Whyte, boxed Luis Ortiz, Tony Yoka, David Price, Lucas Browne, I sparred Tyson Fury, fought Anthony Joshua [over] 500 rounds [of sparring], I’ve never been on the floor because he cannot hit me.”Johnny Fisher will get the f* shock of his life when he starts to try and f* hit me he will have the shock of his life. Wow, he doesn’t realize.”I don’t look like a worldbeater – try and f do something – God, I cannot wait for him to start trying to take my head off!” More