23:02:07
OPETAIA WINS THE TITLE
24 powerful rounds have now been shared between these two. Much like the primary battle, Briedis got here on sturdy late and simply ran out of street as Sky commentator Andy Clarke rightly defined.
Opetaia is the brand new IBF cruiserweight champion, confirmed by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.
The 2 fights remind me of the fights between Tomasz Adamek and Paul Briggs (at light-heavyweight). Each gruelling scraps with a reasonably clear winner.
22:51:19
BOUNCE BACK BRIEDIS
It’s getting attention-grabbing in Riyadh as a bloody Opetaia seems below stress. Is his jaw broken once more? All set for an attention-grabbing remaining session.
22:48:25
BRIEDIS NEEDS A BIG FINISH
Good change within the tenth as Opetaia landed a left hand however was caught himself by just a little uppercut. The Aussie held on for pricey life and the bell sounded for a reset.
22:38:15
OPPORTUNISTIC OPETAIA
A second in spherical eight summed up Briedis’s woes as he scurried ahead and simply fell brief as Opetaia skipped out of vary and used his lengthy levers to jab away at his foe.
Opetaia may be explosive, however tonight, he’s been intelligent and risk-averse, selecting the occasions to assault and the occasions to slip throughout the ropes and out of hazard.
22:32:06
BUSTED UP BRIEDIS
Briedis is as powerful as previous boots, no denying it. Opetaia has smashed his nostril open and issues are getting ugly. Opetaia can punch extraordinarily laborious. What can Briedis do in a different way to show it round?
22:27:26
REACTIVE BRIEDIS
The Latvian former champion is reacting so much to Opetaia’s assaults, which is all he can actually do. Sometimes there was a niche to take advantage of however Briedis has not been fast sufficient to pounce.
Even when not touchdown pictures, Jai Opetaia is dictating the vary and making Briedis cautious of overcommitting.
Opetaia (left) vs. Briedis (Getty Pictures)
22:15:07
OPTIMAL OPETAIA
Jai Opetaia has the bit between his enamel right here. Bouncing on the skin like a coiled spring, ready to unload. Mairis Briedis has been out of the ring for a very long time, and he’s looking for his timing and set up a rhythm. Two rounds in and he can’t wait too lengthy for all of it to click on.
22:04:27
OPETAIA AND BRIEDIS REMATCH
Ought to be a very good one this, for the IBF cruiserweight title. Two laborious, proud males who received’t again down simply. Opetaia seems recent and ferocious. Briedis put plenty of injury on him final time. This can be a battle for so long as it lasts.
21:39:05
AND THE NEW…
Anthony Cacace is the brand new IBF champion of the world! An incredible show from the Belfastman, who used ability, energy, work fee, completely every part to prevail. As soon as he damage Cordina, he simply stored pushing him again and touchdown laborious shot after laborious shot.
Cordina confirmed warrior spirit, however he was combating damage. Carrying a buzzed mindset spherical after spherical, by no means appeared to get well from spherical three.
21:31:52
CRACKING CACACE
The bell for the tip of spherical six comes at simply the suitable time for Cordina, who’s consuming uppercuts like sandwiches. A number of Cacace physique pictures are flying in for good measure. Cordina can’t preserve taking these. He’s on his final legs proper now.
21:29:04
WHAT A SHOT
This was the second in spherical three that had Cordina rocking and rolling on the ropes. In to spherical six now. Cacace wanting just like the puncher in there.
21:23:56
CHAMPIONSHIP SCRAP
Cordina received his legs again below him within the fourth spherical. Gave us an opportunity to seize a breath after that third spherical. Cordina copped an enormous uppercut and was down laborious. Ref Bob Williams positively hovering.
Starting of the tip, or a wake-up name second? In tremendous stability.
21:20:30
CACACE ON THE VERGE?
Spherical three and Cordina is in large bother! Harm by a left hook, the (nearly nonetheless) champion was wobbling round and survived the third spherical by the pores and skin of his enamel. Sensational from Cacace.
21:12:08
CACACE THE APACHE
It’s taken him some time to get right here, however some felt world stage was at all times the vacation spot for Cacace. Nicknamed the “Andytown Apache,” that could be a reference to Andersonstown, an space of west Belfast. Anthony was additionally an excellent novice.
As was Cordina, who transitioned properly into the skilled sport. Joe had to return to the properly and win the IBF for a second time which confirmed his immense psychological resilience. Trying sharp halfway by way of the second spherical right here, Cordina.
21:07:19
WELSH WIZARD IN THE RING
Joe Cordina defending his IBF super-featherweight title towards Belfast’s Anthony Cacace. Ought to be a very good one this. Spherical one underway.
20:53:00
PICS OF THE WINNER
A few footage to inform the story. Frank being counted out and a winner who deserves his shot on the title.
20:40:23
KABAYEL THE KRUSHER!
Wow, that was excellent from Agit Kabayel, who grabbed a stoppage in spherical seven. Frank Sanchez went down from a depraved physique shot mixture. Later within the spherical, a poking jab to the breadbasket completed him off.
What a piece fee from Kabayel. Fingers excessive, pretty physique pictures and by no means strayed from the gameplan. Sanchez was lacklustre, missing engine, missing his unbeaten file. Who’ll battle him now?
20:28:06
KABAYEL THE BOSS
It’s Kabayel’s battle to lose going into spherical six. He’s dictated the tempo and appears on high. If he can preserve the engine, then he can win this battle.
Sanchez struggling to maintain the German off him. Blowing laborious as properly. Wants to seek out that vaunted energy to show issues round.
Kabayel (left) dominating Sanchez (Getty Pictures)
20:18:20
KABAYEL FORCING THE PACE
It is a good begin from these two. I’m already consuming my phrases in regards to the mesh of types. Kabayel is opting to push ahead and hammer the physique.
Sanchez may be very quick and explosive. He can’t afford to simply languish on the ropes all evening.
20:07:03
FINISHED IN A FLASH?
We’re attending to the enterprise finish of issues now. From the educational stage of the heavyweight division (Itauma) proper as much as a few guys on the verge of world title alternatives. Educated by Eddy Reynoso, Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez faces Agit Kabayel.
It’s a WBC world title eliminator. Their types won’t match up properly, let’s be sincere. Anticipate a extremely expert affair.
19:46:40
MOSES DESTROYS OPPONENT IN TWO
Itauma turned it on in the direction of the tip of the primary spherical. Mezencev overextended for a cut up second and paid the worth. In spherical two, a proper hook to the aspect of the pinnacle eliminated Mezencev from his senses. The loser stumbled and staggered round, making an attempt to persuade Howard Foster that he was cognisant. He wasn’t and it was waved off.
Itauma impresses (Getty Pictures)
19:34:04
MOSES ITAUMA READY TO RUMBLE
Heavy-handed prospect Moses Itauma is just 19 and he’s already blasting individuals away for enjoyable. Opponent Ilja Mezencev isn’t precisely brimming with confidence in the course of the ringwalks. A giant puncher on paper, let’s see what he’s received.
19:11:31
ON THE MARK IN ROUND ONE
Mark Chamberlain exploded within the first spherical, catching Wahab with a peach of a left hand to sign the start of the tip. Cool, calm and picked up, Chamberlain backed Wahab up within the nook and landed a flurry to complete it off. Easy as that.
19:04:22
CHAMBERLAIN UP NEXT
On with the present we go. Mark Chamberlain popping out to James Brown, which is a stable begin to the night for him. Chamberlain is an thrilling puncher and he’s up towards the “Wealth Machine” Joshua Wahab.
18:43:30
JOY FOR SAFAR WHO OUTWORKS KOVALEV
On the finish of spherical 10, Safar landed a swiping left hook adopted by a thumping proper hand that noticed Sergey wither and fall to the canvas. It took all the hassle he may muster to rise and listen to the ultimate bell. A hole victory on the street to defeat, as confirmed by the judges’ scores of 97-92, 99-90 and 95-94 in Safar’s favour.
We might properly have witnessed the tip of Sergey Kovalev’s profession. He tried to roll again the years on the finish with a number of wild pictures. Most seemed compelled and pushed as Safar turned up the gasoline and put the icing on high of his cake. Peak Krusher has lengthy handed.
18:34:09
TIRED OLD KOVALEV
It’s just a little bit unhappy watching a veteran fighter attempt to roll again the years. Does Kovalev even have sufficient power to seek out that long-forgotten equaliser? Safar has been match and useful, doing precisely what he must do, aided by a reliable nook.
Prime Kovalev could be a unique animal altogether. That model is lengthy, lengthy gone. Safar may very well be a handful for the highest cruisers, however maybe nothing past a handful.
18:22:42
SAFAR SO GOOD
That is all going properly for the Swede proper now. Kovalev wanting like a 41-year-old, years previous his finest and too excessive up in weight.
Kovalev is working laborious to maintain himself in it, however you are feeling that he wants an enormous shot to show the tide or make a dent in Safar. The brisk tempo is clearly favouring the youthful man.
18:08:51
KOVA JAB
Safar concentrating on Kovalev’s physique, which is a sound tactic. What sort of situation is Kovalev in? His jab is beginning to discover a dwelling, more and more. Early on, Kovalev struggled just a little to seek out his timing.
Safar seems match and robust. Not a lot aptitude in what he’s doing. Pretty efficient, nonetheless, from the youthful man.
Sergey Kovalev (proper) vs. Robin Safar (Getty Pictures)
18:00:59
KRUSHER IN AGAINST SAFAR
Don’t blink as a result of Sergey Kovalev is within the ring. Opponent Robin Safar has been given a little bit of a build-up in some quarters so let’s see what he brings to the ring.
Kovalev may at all times punch. Has his dig carried as much as cruiserweight?
17:45:30
NYIKA SCORES FOURTH-ROUND STOPPAGE
Nyika taking on now. Seitz tiring and feeling sorry for himself. Nyika is an enormous unit; a bit stiff and square-on at occasions although. How will that serve him when he steps up in school?
Doesn’t matter right here as Seitz crumbles into the ropes, exhausted in spherical 4. Bloody nostril for Seitz who accepts Mr Foster’s intervention at 2-45 of the fourth. Nyika wins the vacant IBF Worldwide cruiserweight title.
17:38:19
SEITZ ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
Seitz rolling out and in like Glencoffe Johnson (there’s a reputation from the latest previous for you). Accountable defence, sturdy, relentless strategy. He ships a number of jabs, however to be truthful to Nyika, his left jab may be very sturdy.
I ponder if Seitz’s face will begin displaying the scars of battle because the rounds go on. Nyika seems naturally heavy-handed. Not have all of it his personal method, although, as he targets the physique.
17:28:53
SEITZ MATTERS
Noticeable measurement disparity in all three fights thus far. Nyika is the massive man right here, though Seitz is closing the hole at each alternative.
Howard Foster is the referee. Nyika wants to make use of his jab to cease Seitz simply strolling straight inside.
17:25:19
NYIKA IN THE RING
David Nyika entered the ring in some attention-grabbing headgear. Not fairly up there with a few of the nice apparel entrances of previous, similar to Joe Joyce or the Bernard Hopkins ‘Alien’ theme.
Anyway…on with the present. This subsequent one is an eight-rounder the place Nyika faces Michael Seitz.
16:16:49
LAPIN DONE AND DUSTED IN ONE
That didn’t final lengthy. Pudivitr is down and out in spherical one. Lapin damage him with a right-left combo and Pudivitr fell within the nook, taking a number of pictures whereas on the bottom. A better profile battle and that may’ve been a problem, however Williams waved it off.
Pudivitr maybe suffered a scratched eyeball, given the character of the end. Lapin appeared completely happy sufficient along with his evening’s work and he received the WBA Continental light-heavyweight championship for his troubles.
16:07:00
LAPIN UP THE ATMOSPHERE
Subsequent up is undefeated Ukrainian Daniel Lapin, who will tackle Portugal’s Octavio Pudivitr. Some measurement of a unit is Lapin. Is aware of easy methods to field a bit too. Ought to be attention-grabbing this one. Bob Williams is the third man within the ring.
15:56:12
LOWE BEATS AHMADI ON POINTS
Ahmadi buzzed once more on the finish of the tenth, however he managed to final the gap. There was loads of bravery from the Dubai-based fighter, however let’s be sincere: When it comes to a boxing match, he was second finest for a protracted portion of that battle.
A assured Isaac Lowe wins 97-92 on referee Mark Bates’ solo scorecard. That’s the primary contest within the books.
15:46:48
AHMADI DOWN!
A beautiful left hook drops Ahmadi on the finish of spherical eight. Breakthrough for Lowe who additionally hurts him to the physique. He’s damage once more, eye badly bleeding, nearly survived the spherical.
15:41:18
ISAAC SLOW?
Ahmadi has fancied all of it week, and he’s fired up going by way of spherical seven. Lowe is boxing very well from vary, however the work is getting just a little extra laboured. jab is the important thing for the Morecambe man.
15:28:55
BACK-AND-FORTH EXCHANGES
Ahmadi has a reduce on the aspect of the left eye. Referee Mark Bates is protecting them in management as Ahmadi rushes ahead, little doubt involved in regards to the harm.
Heads flying at occasions. Lowe punching laborious and precisely, particularly with the suitable hand. Appears to be like respectable right here, Isaac. Can he final the tempo?
15:20:13
GOOD EARLY ACTION
Lowe working properly behind the jab and catching Ahmadi with the uppercut as properly at occasions. Measurement distinction is clear regardless of 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 partaking in a featherweight 10-rounder. Spherical one underway.
14:52:27
A VERY WARM WELCOME!
Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for becoming a member of me on this stay replace weblog. I (Steve) can be watching the early portion of the cardboard alongside you, earlier than Declan takes the reins and guides you thru the principle fights.
It’s baking sizzling in Riyadh and the warmth will little doubt rise because the night progresses. Ought to be a very good one.
Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in a extremely anticipated conflict for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Undercard motion begins at 3pm UK, 10am ET, and 8am PT.
Fury vs Usyk Weights and Working Order
Tyson Fury 262 lbs. vs. Oleksandr Usyk 223.5 lbsUndisputed Heavyweight Championship – 12 Rounds
Jai Opetaia 198.1 lbs vs. Mairis Briedis 199.1 lbsOpetaia’s Ring Journal & Vacant IBF Cruiserweight World Titles — 12 Rounds
Joe Cordina 130 lbs vs. Anthony Cacace 129.8 lbs Cordina’s IBF Junior Light-weight 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 Light-weight 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 Mild Heavyweight Title — 10 Rounds
Isaac Lowe 125.5 lbs vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi 127.7 lbs
Featherweight – 10 rounds
