19:34:04
MOSES ITAUMA READY TO RUMBLE
Heavy-handed prospect Moses Itauma is only 19 and he’s already blasting people away for fun. Opponent Ilja Mezencev isn’t exactly brimming with confidence during the ringwalks. A big puncher on paper, let’s see what he’s got.
19:11:31
ON THE MARK IN ROUND ONE
Mark Chamberlain exploded in the first round, catching Wahab with a peach of a left hand to signal the beginning of the end. Cool, calm and collected, Chamberlain backed Wahab up in the corner and landed a flurry to finish it off. Simple as that.
19:04:22
CHAMBERLAIN UP NEXT
On with the show we go. Mark Chamberlain coming out to James Brown, which is a solid start to the evening for him. Chamberlain is an exciting puncher and he’s up against the “Wealth Machine” Joshua Wahab.
18:43:30
JOY FOR SAFAR WHO OUTWORKS KOVALEV
At the end of round 10, Safar landed a swiping left hook followed by a thumping right hand that saw Sergey wither and fall to the canvas. It took all the effort he could muster to rise and hear the final bell. A hollow victory on the road to defeat, as confirmed by the judges’ scores of 97-92, 99-90 and 95-94 in Safar’s favour.
We may well have witnessed the end of Sergey Kovalev’s career. He tried to roll back the years at the end with a few wild shots. Most looked forced and pushed as Safar turned up the gas and put the icing on top of his cake. Peak Krusher has long passed.
18:34:09
TIRED OLD KOVALEV
It’s a little bit sad watching a veteran fighter try to roll back the years. Does Kovalev even have enough energy to find that long-forgotten equaliser? Safar has been fit and functional, doing exactly what he needs to do, aided by a competent corner.
Prime Kovalev would be a different animal altogether. That version is long, long gone. Safar could be a handful for the top cruisers, but perhaps nothing beyond a handful.
18:22:42
SAFAR SO GOOD
This is all going well for the Swede right now. Kovalev looking like a 41-year-old, years past his best and too high up in weight.
Kovalev is working hard to keep himself in it, but you feel that he needs a big shot to turn the tide or make a dent in Safar. The brisk pace is clearly favouring the younger man.
18:08:51
KOVA JAB
Safar targeting Kovalev’s body, which is a sound tactic. What kind of condition is Kovalev in? His jab is starting to find a home, increasingly. Early on, Kovalev struggled a little to find his timing.
Safar looks fit and strong. Not much flair in what he’s doing. Fairly effective, however, from the younger man.
Sergey Kovalev (right) vs. Robin Safar (Getty Images)
18:00:59
KRUSHER IN AGAINST SAFAR
Don’t blink because Sergey Kovalev is in the ring. Opponent Robin Safar has been given a bit of a build-up in some quarters so let’s see what he brings to the ring.
Kovalev could always punch. Has his dig carried up to cruiserweight?
17:45:30
NYIKA SCORES FOURTH-ROUND STOPPAGE
Nyika taking over now. Seitz tiring and feeling sorry for himself. Nyika is a big unit; a bit stiff and square-on at times though. How will that serve him when he steps up in class?
Doesn’t matter here as Seitz crumbles into the ropes, exhausted in round four. Bloody nose for Seitz who accepts Mr Foster’s intervention at 2-45 of the fourth. Nyika wins the vacant IBF International cruiserweight title.
17:38:19
SEITZ ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
Seitz rolling in and out like Glencoffe Johnson (there’s a name from the recent past for you). Responsible defence, strong, relentless approach. He ships a few jabs, but to be fair to Nyika, his left jab is very strong.
I wonder if Seitz’s face will start displaying the scars of battle as the rounds go on. Nyika looks naturally heavy-handed. Not have it all his own way, though, as he targets the body.
17:28:53
SEITZ MATTERS
Noticeable size disparity in all three fights so far. Nyika is the big man here, although Seitz is closing the gap at every opportunity.
Howard Foster is the referee. Nyika needs to use his jab to stop Seitz just walking straight inside.
17:25:19
NYIKA IN THE RING
David Nyika entered the ring in some interesting headgear. Not quite up there with some of the great attire entrances of old, such as Joe Joyce or the Bernard Hopkins ‘Alien’ theme.
Anyway…on with the show. This next one is an eight-rounder where Nyika faces Michael Seitz.
16:16:49
LAPIN DONE AND DUSTED IN ONE
That didn’t last long. Pudivitr is down and out in round one. Lapin hurt him with a right-left combo and Pudivitr fell in the corner, taking a few shots while on the ground. A higher profile fight and that might’ve been an issue, but Williams waved it off.
Pudivitr perhaps suffered a scratched eyeball, given the nature of the finish. Lapin seemed happy enough with his night’s work and he won the WBA Continental light-heavyweight championship for his troubles.
16:07:00
LAPIN UP THE ATMOSPHERE
Next up is undefeated Ukrainian Daniel Lapin, who will take on Portugal’s Octavio Pudivitr. Some size of a unit is Lapin. Knows how to box a bit too. Should be interesting this one. Bob Williams is the third man in the ring.
15:56:12
LOWE BEATS AHMADI ON POINTS
Ahmadi buzzed again at the end of the 10th, but he managed to last the distance. There was plenty of bravery from the Dubai-based fighter, but let’s be honest: In terms of a boxing match, he was second best for a long portion of that fight.
A confident Isaac Lowe wins 97-92 on referee Mark Bates’ solo scorecard. That’s the first contest in the books.
15:46:48
AHMADI DOWN!
A lovely left hook drops Ahmadi at the end of round eight. Breakthrough for Lowe who also hurts him to the body. He’s hurt again, eye badly bleeding, just about survived the round.
15:41:18
ISAAC SLOW?
Ahmadi has fancied it all week, and he’s fired up going through round seven. Lowe is boxing really well from range, but the work is getting a little more laboured. A good jab is the key for the Morecambe man.
15:28:55
BACK-AND-FORTH EXCHANGES
Ahmadi has a cut on the side of the left eye. Referee Mark Bates is keeping them in control as Ahmadi rushes forward, no doubt concerned about the injury.
Heads flying at times. Lowe punching hard and accurately, especially with the right hand. Looks decent here, Isaac. Can he last the pace?
15:20:13
GOOD EARLY ACTION
Lowe working well behind the jab and catching Ahmadi with the uppercut as well at times. Size difference is apparent despite Lowe being the lighter man. Ahmadi taking centre ring.
15:14:08
LOWE IN THE RING
First into the ring, Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe and Afghanistan’s Hasibullah Ahmadi engaging in a featherweight 10-rounder. Round one underway.
14:52:27
A VERY WARM WELCOME!
Good afternoon everybody. Thank you for joining me on this live update blog. I (Steve) will be watching the early portion of the card alongside you, before Declan takes the reins and guides you through the main fights.
It’s baking hot in Riyadh and the heat will no doubt rise as the evening progresses. Should be a good one.
Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated clash for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Undercard action begins at 3pm UK, 10am ET, and 8am PT.
Fury vs Usyk Weights and Running Order
Tyson Fury 262 lbs. vs. Oleksandr Usyk 223.5 lbs
Undisputed Heavyweight Championship – 12 Rounds
Jai Opetaia 198.1 lbs vs. Mairis Briedis 199.1 lbs
Opetaia’s Ring Magazine & Vacant IBF Cruiserweight World Titles — 12 Rounds
Joe Cordina 130 lbs vs. Anthony Cacace 129.8 lbs
Cordina’s IBF Junior Lightweight World Title — 12 Rounds
Frank Sanchez 238.5 lbs vs. Agit Kabayel 238.5 lbs
WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds
Moses Itauma 239.1 lbs vs. Ilja Mezencev 232.1 lbs
Vacant WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title — 10 Rounds
Mark Chamberlain 134.2 lbs vs. Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab 132.1 lbs
Vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title — 12 Rounds
Sergey Kovalev 194.2 lbs vs. Robin Sirwan Safar 194.1 lbs
Cruiserweight — 10 Rounds
David Nyika 198.1 lbs vs. Michael Seitz 198.5 lbs
Cruiserweight – 8 rounds
Daniel Lapin 174.7 lbs vs. Octavio Pudivitr 173.7 lbs
Vacant WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title — 10 Rounds
Isaac Lowe 125.5 lbs vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi 127.7 lbs
Featherweight – 10 rounds
