Usyk vs Fury 2: Judge dispute threatens heavyweight title clash

The highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury for the world heavyweight championship is just one day away, but tensions are rising as both camps remain locked in a dispute over key details.

With the fight scheduled for Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the two sides are at odds over the appointment of a replacement judge and the length of Fury's beard, which has become a point of contention.

Originally, Fernando Barbosa was set to be one of the three judges for the fight. However, due to illness, he will be replaced by two standby officials, Steve Weisfeld and Ignacio Robles.

Both fighter camps are in disagreement over which judge should be selected, with promoter Frank Warren proposing a coin toss to settle the issue. The local commission will need to resolve the matter quickly.

Another major point of contention arose during Friday's rules meeting, with Usyk's team questioning Fury's untrimmed beard.

According to the WBC rules, facial hair must not cushion punches or cause cuts. Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, argued that Fury's beard violated this rule, but the WBC has cleared the length of Fury’s beard, saying it doesn’t breach any regulations. The debate has fueled further tension between the camps.

Fury’s team also sought clarification on the positioning of the shorts and the beltline, ensuring that any punches below the navel would be considered low blows.

This was in response to the confusion in Usyk's previous fight against Daniel Dubois. Furthermore, Fury’s team raised concerns about Usyk kissing a cross in his corner during the first fight, fearing it could cause undue speculation. To avoid any issues, it was decided that only water could be provided to the fighters.

Despite the disagreements, promoter Frank Warren is confident that the disputes will be resolved in time for the fight, emphasizing professionalism on both sides.

Boxing expert Matthew Macklin believes that Fury’s aggressive approach will target Usyk’s body, drawing parallels to his rematch against Deontay Wilder.

As the final details are ironed out, all eyes are on the ring in Riyadh, where Fury and Usyk will once again battle for the heavyweight crown. With a slew of controversies and discussions ahead of the fight, both camps are determined to secure a victory—one way or the other.