When does the title fight begin?

The big card in Riyadh is underway, but the main event between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is still hours away. If you’re wondering when the two best heavyweights in the world will step into the ring, the expected ring walks will take place around 5:50 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV.

Because of all the presenting elements, it will likely take both fighters 15 minutes to get to the ring. Add in five to seven minutes of introduction and the opening bell probably won’t ring until 6:35 p.m. ET.

DAZN has released this infographic to help fight fans around the world know when the action will start for them in their region.

Major storylines in Fight Night – Usyk-Fury 2

Weighing results

The weight differences were a big topic of conversation on Friday. While Usyk weighed 226 pounds, just three pounds heavier than his first fight with Fury in May, the latter took a different approach.

Fury weighed a career-high 281 pounds. That’s a significant 55 pounds more than Usyk. The larger frame suggests Fury plans to fight for a knockout in the rematch. In the first fight he suffered two early injuries from Usyk, but was unable to capitalize on it.

Instead, Usyk defeated Fury in the ninth round, changing the momentum and leading to his split decision victory. We’ll soon find out if a heavier Fury is more effective.

Usyk wants Fury to trim his beard

According to a report on ESPN, Usyk’s team has asked Fury to trim his beard. A fighter with a long beard can be considered unprofessional in martial arts because it can rub against the opponent’s skin during clinches.

In any case, Fury’s team declined and offered a statement from the former champion’s manager, Goldstar’s Spencer Brown.

“Tyson Fury has boxed with Bart on many occasions, as have other fighters, most recently (Artur) Beterbiev,” Brown said, referring to the undisputed light heavyweight title fight in October. “Usyk himself has spoken out publicly and said that it is not a problem for Tyson to have a beard. There is no law or regulation in boxing that says you can’t fight with a beard. It’s ridiculous that this has already been brought up in a rules meeting.” To no avail. If Usyk had a beard we wouldn’t have a problem.

This grooming decision seems to be further evidence that Fury wants to fight on the inside to make Usyk uncomfortable.

Fight night results

• Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
• Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean
• Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis
• Johnny Fisher vs. David Allen
• Lee McGregor defeats Isaac Lowe by unanimous decision (96-92, 97-91, 97-91)
• Peter McGrail defeats Rhys Edwards by unanimous decision (96-95, 96-94, 96-94)
• Daniel Lapin defeats Dylan Colin by unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91)
• Andrii Novytskyi defeated Edgar Ramirez by unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 98-92)
• Mohammed Alakel defeats Joshua Ocampo by unanimous decision (60-53×3)