LATE CHANGE
Major change to Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 as inexperienced official drafted in just hours before heavyweight fight
The replacement judge has previously officiated British boxing
BOXING chiefs have drafted in inexperienced official Ignacio Robles in their search for a third judge just hours before the blockbuster rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury, 36, and Usyk, 37, are set to lock horns tonight in a heavyweight showdown at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with the WBO, WBA, and WBC championships on the line.
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Fernando Barbosa was expected to be one of the three judges for the fight but was unable to travel due to illness.
That left both fight camps split between officials Steve Weisfeld and Robles.
But following a coin toss, it was ruled that the judge from Panama would be the replacement.
Robles is not very experienced but has previously been a judge at ringside for British fighters.
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He officiated when Dmitry Bivol defeated Mancunian boxer Lyndon Arthur in Saudi Arabia last year.
Fury and Usyk's first fight in May went to the judges after 12 gruelling rounds.
And it was the undefeated Ukrainian who prevailed via split decision to extend his staggering winning streak to 22 fights.
This marked Fury's first ever loss in 36 fights, 34 of which he has won during his glittering 16-year career.
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In the first contest Usyk earned scorecards of 115-112 from judge Manuel Oliver Palomo and 114-113 from Mike Fitzgerald.
The British boxing superstar, on the other hand, snatched the other card with a score of 114-113 from judge Craig Metcalfe.
Watch Oleksandr Usyk's bizarre impression of Tyson Fury... but fans convinced he sounds just like Mr Bean instead
Fury has never been knocked out and Usyk is still undefeated, therefore it is highly likely the result may have to go to the judges once more.
Fury vs Usyk 2 - top stories
READ MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..
All the info:
- Everything you need to know about the biggest fight of the year
- How much are Fury and Usyk getting paid?
- Who is on the undercard for the huge event?
News, features and interviews:
- Fury and Usyk separated by security with neither budging for 10 MINUTES
- EXCLUSIVE: Fury's trainer reveals weapon that will be crucial in the fight
- Five changes Fury has made for the fight
- Fury's terrifying rant as he promises to put Usyk 'in the hurt locker'
- EXCLUSIVE: Fury can't beat Usyk, says Eubank Jr
- COMMENT: Usyk spoiled golden age of British heavyweights
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