In May, Oleksandr Usyk completed his mission, defeating Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the modern four-belt era. On Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Usyk will look for a repeat performance when he rematches Fury, this time with three world titles on the line.

Usyk was stripped of the IBF championship for moving ahead with his contractually obligated rematch with Fury, though the lack of one of the four world titles from the first meeting has done nothing to diminish the excitement or importance of this rematch.

The first meeting was the first time Fury had suffered defeat as a professional, having gone undefeated across 35 previous bouts that also saw him twice reign as world champion. Fury started that fight well, using his size and reach to keep the much smaller Usyk at range. Fury was so comfortable in the early rounds that he repeatedly danced and showboated, seemingly feeling he had the fight in hand.

Usyk was able to make the necessary adjustments as the fight wore on and not only started to successfully use his boxing skills, but also scored a knockdown in Round 9. A perfect left hook landed on Fury and the following flurry from Usyk sent Fury’s 6-foot-9 frame stumbling into the corner where it was ruled the ropes had held him up and thus counted as a knockdown.

Tyson Fury will reportedly not have to trim his beard for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk this weekend.

Fury, who claimed he cut himself off from his family during an intense training camp, has sported a long beard this week, as he aims to avenge his sole professional loss – a split decision against Usyk in May. That result kept Usyk unbeaten and saw him crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.

And ahead of Saturday’s second meeting in Riyadh, where Usyk defends the unified belts this time, the Ukrainian flagged Fury’s beard as a potential concern.

“It is interesting,” Sky Sports’s Andy Scott said on Friday (20 December). “[Fury] is calling it ‘beast mode’, it’s very much a camp mentality; he’s grown out the beard [in] a hard training camp

Tyson Fury launched a foul-mouthed rant at Oleksandr Usyk after an 11-minute staredown.

The pair had to be pulled apart after they locked eyes for an age before Fury exploded into a tirade of abuse at the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion at their press conference. Fury, 36, said: “He’s getting f***ed, I was 50 per cent last time, you were the best you’ve ever been and you still couldn’t do s***.

“You couldn’t do f*** all. Don’t you be afraid you rabbit looking f***er. I won’t leave you alone. You ugly little b******. I’m butchering you. You are going to wake up in the hospital you clown. You got a gift decision you clown. I’m the man, I’m the f***ing champion. You ugly rat b******. You are a rat. I’ll beat you seven days a week.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch for the world heavyweight championship; the Riyadh Season event will be live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday December 21 with a variety of ways to book

Usyk-Fury 2 will start at 4pm, Saturday December 21 on Sky Sports Box Office (Sky channel 491).

The event is priced at £24.95 for Sky customers in the UK and €27.95 for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland up until midnight on Friday December 20.

Thereafter £24.95 / €27.95 across all ‘self-service’ bookings (remote control/online) or £29.95 / €32.95 if booked via the phone (either IVR or agent) but note an additional £2 booking fee if via an agent will apply.

The event price will revert back to £24.95 / €27.95 (ROI) from midnight Saturday December 21.

Two repeat showings (full duration) will be shown at 8am and 6pm on Sunday December 22.