Ignacio Robles will be the third referee for Tyson Fury’s World Heavyweight Championship fight against Oleksandr Usyk following the coin toss on Saturday night.
Fernando Barbosa was scheduled to be one of the three judges, but was unable to travel to Riyadh due to illness, and each fighter’s team was split between judges Steve Weisfeld and Robles.
The rematch between Usyk and Britain’s Fury gets underway on Saturday night at the Riyadh Season Bill. Sky Sports Ticket Office.
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The Usyk v Fury 2 rules meeting was met with controversy after it was revealed that third referee Fernando Barboza had withdrawn from his position due to illness. Rival camps are divided over who will replace him.
Robles was the referee at ringside for the British fighter when Dmitry Bivol beat Lyndon Arthur in Saudi Arabia last year.
“It might upset one of the camps, but it doesn’t really have a leg to stand on,” he said. Sky Sports’ Andy Scott.
“After Barboza fell ill, they brought in two replacements and the team couldn’t decide who they wanted between them.
“Eventually it will come down to the Middle East Boxing Council to make that request. Frank Warren called for a coin toss, and in a world with AI (artificial intelligence) and everything else, common sense prevails and we toss a coin.”
Robles joins Puerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez and Chicago’s Patrick Morley at ringside for the Usyk-Fury showdown.
The WBO, WBA and WBC championships, which Usyk won from Fury in their first fight, will be on the line.
Another key point of contention ahead of the fight was the length of Fury’s beard, with Usyk’s team questioning whether that would actually soften the blow.
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Tyson Fury was the heaviest, weighing in at 281 pounds, but the former heavyweight champion refused to take any of his clothes off, leaving questions about his actual weight.
Fury is under no obligation to cut it down for the fight, but Usyk’s camp is adamant that it should be cut down.
Promoter Alex Krassyuk said: sky sports: “The beard rule is seriously violated. The WBC rules clearly state: ‘A boxer may, at the discretion of the committee and supervisor, only wear a trimmed beard and/or a beard if the thickness of the facial hair is: Mustache may (1) cushion or in any way affect the impact or trajectory of a punch, or (2) cause a cut or abrasion to an opponent.’
“So,” Krassyuk continued, “Tyson’s beard needs to be trimmed. We’re going to push it further.”
However, the WBC has “no issue” with the length of Fury’s beard.
“I don’t think they’re going to dismiss it. It was just a last-ditch attempt to destabilize Fury,” Scott added.
An ‘epic battle’ awaits
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Highlights of Oleksandr Usyk’s dramatic battle with Tyson Fury to become world heavyweight champion
Despite the outside noise, Sky Sports’ Matthew Macklin still believes Usyk and Fury will have tunnel vision and won’t let these discussions distract them.
“These two guys are very experienced operators. They have been at the top level their whole lives and were always destined to have a great night,” Macklin said. Sky Sports News.
“They put all that aside and now they have nothing but tunnel vision.
“I just expect it to be an epic fight. I think Fury will bring a ‘seek and destroy’ mentality, whether he can technically make it into that fight or not, because Usyk has really quick feet. Because he is a southpaw, it is more difficult to close the distance.
“But Fury will definitely approach it with an aggressive, tactical game plan. He’ll be looking to bring that type of energy and intensity to the fight.
“He’s either going to get to Usyk, or he’s going to tire himself out trying to stop himself later.”
The massive heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury airs live on Saturday, December 21. Sky Sports Ticket Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
