Last-minute change made to Fury vs Usyk 2 judging

There has been a precocious alteration to the judging sheet for Tyson Fury’s rematch pinch Oleksandr Usyk, pinch 1 judge withdrawing owed to illness.

On Saturday (21 December), Fury will conflict Usyk successful Riyadh, 7 months aft losing to the Ukrainian via divided decision successful the aforesaid Saudi city.

Usyk’s triumph kept him unbeaten and crowned him the first undisputed heavyweight champion successful 24 years, while Fury suffered conclusion for the first time.

Their rematch, for the unified titles, is group to beryllium scored by US judge Pat Morley and Puerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez, who were group to beryllium joined by Fernando Barbosa.

But Barbosa withdrew owed to unwellness precocious connected Thursday, earlier he could alert to Riyadh. Replacing the American is compatriot Steve Weisfeld, who made the travel to Saudi Arabia connected Thursday night.

The news was reported by Dan Rafael early connected Friday.

In the first title betwixt Usyk, 37, and Fury, 36, the Ukrainian earned scorecards of 115-112 (judge Manuel Oliver Palomo) and 114-113 (Mike Fitzgerald), while the Briton snatched the different paper (114-113, Craig Metcalfe).

The Independent scored the bout 115-112 to Usyk, and astir observers agreed that the erstwhile cruiserweight king was a rightful winner. Yet Fury accused the judges of favouring Usyk owed to Ukraine’s ongoing penetration by Russia.

Saturday’s rematch will besides characteristic an AI judge, according to Saudi advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, though they will not effect the charismatic scoring.