Ignacio Robles will be the third judge in Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight championship clash with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night following a coin toss.
Fernando Barbosa had been due to be one of the three judges on fight night but he was unable to travel to Riyadh due to illness, leaving the respective fighter teams split between officials Steve Weisfeld and Robles.
Usyk’s rematch with Britain’s Fury takes place on Saturday night on a Riyadh Season bill, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
There was controversy at the Usyk v Fury 2 rules meeting after it was revealed third judge Fernando Barboza has stood down due to illness. The rival camps are split on who should replace him.
The WBO, WBA, and WBC championships, which Usyk won from Fury in their first fight, will be on the line.
The other key point of contention ahead of the fight is the length of Fury’s beard, with Usyk’s team querying whether it could actually cushion a blow.
Tyson Fury weighed in at a career heaviest 281 pounds but the former heavyweight champion refused to remove any of his clothes, therefore leaving questions as to his true weight.
Fury is not obligated to shave it off for the fight but Usyk’s camp are adamant that it should be cut.
Promoter Alex Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “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,” Krassyuk continued, “Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
However, the WBC has “no issue” with the length of Fury’s beard.
Highlights as Oleksandr Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after a dramatic battle with Tyson Fury.
More to follow…
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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s huge heavyweight rematch will be live on Saturday December 21 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
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