20:07:03
DONE WITH FLASH?
We're coming to the business end now. From the learning stage of the heavyweight division (Itauma) to a few guys on the verge of world title opportunities. Trained by Eddy Reynoso, Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez faces Agit Kabayel.
It's a WBC world title eliminator. Their styles may not match well, let's be honest. Expect a highly skilled story.
19:46:40
MOSES HITS HIS OPPONENT TWO
Iuma opened it towards the end of the first round. Mezencev was overextended a second time and paid the price. In the second round, a right hook to the side of the head knocked Mezencev out of his senses. The loser stumbled and staggered, trying to convince Howard Foster that he knew. He wasn't there and it was waved.
Itauma is impressive (Getty Images)
19:34:04
MOSES ITAUMA IS READY TO SHOOT
Moses Itauma is only 19 years old and he is already blowing up people for fun. Opponent Ilja Mezencev does not brim with confidence during the performance. Big punch on paper, let's see what you got.
19:11:31
THE MARK ON THE FIRST FLEECE
Mark Chamberlain exploded in the first round, catching Wahab with a peach of a left hand to signal the beginning of the end. Cool, calm and collected, Chamberlain backed Wahab into the corner and flew in to finish it off. It's that simple.
19:04:22
CHAMBERLAIN UP NEXT
Let's continue with the program and go. Mark Chamberlain out to James Brown, a solid start to the evening for him. Chamberlain is an exciting punter and faces the “Wealth Machine” Joshua Wahab.
18:43:30
JAY FOR SAFAR WHO OUTWORKS KOVALEV
At the end of the 10th round, Safar landed a swipe hook followed by a right hand that saw Sergey wither and fall to the canvas. It took all the effort he could muster to get up and hear the last bell. A futile victory on the road, as evidenced by the judges' scores of 97-92, 99-90 and 95-94 in favor of Safar.
We may have seen the end of Sergey Kovalev's career. He tried to turn back the years at the end with a few wild shots. Most looked forced and pushy as Safar turned up the gas and put the icing on his cake. Peak Krusher is long gone.
18:34:09
OLD KOVALEV IS TIRED
It's a little sad to watch a military veteran try to turn back the years. Does Kovalev have enough power to find that long-forgotten equalizer? The Safar was fair and efficient, doing exactly what it was supposed to do, aided by a competent corner.
Prime Kovalev will be a completely different animal. That version is long, long gone. Safar may be a minority of the best cruisers, but perhaps nothing more than a minority.
18:22:42
SAFAR IS VERY GOOD
All this is going well for the Swede at the moment. Kovalev looks like a 41-year-old man, well past his prime and a bit overweight.
Kovalev is working hard to keep himself in it, but he feels he needs a big shot to turn things around or put on a show at Safar. The fast pace clearly favors the young man.
18:08:51
KOVA JAB
Safar targets Kovalev's body, which is a sound strategy. What shape is Kovalev in? His Jab is beginning to find a home, increasingly. Early on, Kovalev struggled a bit to find his timing.
The Safar looks fit and sturdy. He has absolutely no jewelry in what he does. It works well, though, from the guy.
Sergey Kovalev (right) vs. Robin Safar (Getty Images)
18:00:59
KRUSHER IN AGAINST SAFAR
Don't blink because Sergey Kovalev is in the ring. Robin Safar, who sharpens opponents, has been included in other places so let's see if he will bring value to the ring.
Kovalev could always hit. Has his digs reached cruiserweight?
17:45:30
NYIKA HITS THE FOURTH PAGE
Nyika is taking over now. Seitz is tired and feeling sorry for himself. Nyika is a big unit; It's tough and square-on at times. How will that help him when he moves up in class?
It doesn't matter here as Seitz collapses to the ropes, exhausted in the fourth round. A bloody nose for Seitz who accepted Mr Foster's intervention at 2-45 of the fourth. Nyika won the vacant IBF International cruiserweight title.
17:38:19
SEITZ GOES BACK FOR YEARS
Seitz goes by Glencoffe Johnson (there's your name from the latter). Responsible defense, strong, relentless approach. He lands a few jabs, but to be fair to Nyika, his left jab is very powerful.
I wonder if Seitz's face will start to show battle scars as the rounds go on. Nyika seems to be naturally struggling. However, he does not have all his way, as he directs the body.
17:28:53
SEITZ NEWS
Noticeable size difference in all three fights so far. Nyika is the big man here, although Seitz closes the gap at every opportunity.
Howard Foster is the referee. Nyika needs to use her jab to stop Seitz from going inside.
17:25:19
GO TO THE RING
David Nyika entered the ring wearing an interesting headdress. Not up there with some of the great classic entrances, like Joe Joyce or Bernard Hopkins' 'Alien' theme.
Anyway…on with the show. Next up is the eighth round where Nyika faces Michael Seitz.
16:16:49
LAPIN IS MADE AND INTRODUCED IN ONE
That didn't last long. Pudivitr is down and out of the first round. Lapin hurt him with a left combo and Pudivitr collapsed in the corner, taking a few shots while down. It's a high-profile fight and that could have been a problem, but Williams pulled it off.
Pudivitr probably scratched because of the finish. Lapin seemed happy enough with his night's work and won the WBA Continental light-heavyweight championship for his troubles.
16:07:00
PROTECT THE SPACE
Next up is undefeated Daniel Lapin of Ukraine, who will face Octavio Pudivitr of Portugal. Another unit size is Lapin. He can also box a little. This should be fun. Bob Williams is third in the ring.
15:56:12
LOWE BEATS AHMADI POINTS
Ahmadi again buzzed at the end of the 10thth but he was able to continue the distance. There was plenty of heroics from the Dubai-based fighter, but let's be honest: In terms of boxing, he was second best for the longest part of that fight.
A confident Isaac Lowe wins 97-92 on referee Mark Bates' scorecard alone. That is the first competition in the books.
15:46:48
AHMADI DOWN!
A lovely left hook drops Ahmadi at the end of the eighth round. The success of Lowe also hurts him physically. He was injured again, his eye was bleeding badly, he almost survived the round.
15:41:18
ISAC GOING OK?
Ahmadi has enjoyed it all week, and has been dismissed in the seventh round. Lowe punches very well from range, but the work is getting more and more intense. A good jab is key for the Morecambe man.
15:28:55
BACK AND FORWARD COMBINATION
Ahmadi has a wound on the side of his left eye. Referee Mark Bates kept them in check as Ahmadi rushed forward, no doubt worried about the injury.
Heads fly sometimes. Punch down hard and accurately, especially with the right hand. It looks decent here, Isaac. Can he keep up the pace?
15:20:13
A GOOD FIRST STEP
Lowe works well behind the jab and catches Ahmadi with an uppercut at times. The size difference is noticeable despite Lowe being a lighter man. Ahmadi taking the middle ring.
15:14:08
DOWN THE RING
Into the ring, Morecambe's Isaac Lowe and Afghanistan's Hasibullah Ahmadi square off in a featherweight 10-rounder. The first round continues.
14:52:27
A VERY WARM WELCOME!
Hello everyone. Thanks for joining me on this live review blog. I (Steve) will be watching the first half of the card alongside you, before Declan takes over and directs you to the big fights.
It is hot in Riyadh and the heat will undoubtedly rise as the evening progresses. It should be good.
Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Undercard action begins at 3pm UK, 10am ET, and 8am PT.
Fury vs Usyk Weights and Running Order
Tyson Fury 262 lbs. vs. Oleksandr Usyk 223.5 lbs
Undisputed Heavyweight Championship – 12 rounds
Jai Opetaia 198.1 lbs vs. Mairis Briedis 199.1 lbs
Opetaia's Ring Magazine & Vacant IBF Cruiserweight World Titles — 12 Rounds
Joe Cordina 130 lbs vs. Anthony Cacace 129.8 lbs
Cordina's IBF Junior Lightweight 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 Lightweight 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 Light Heavyweight Title — 10 rounds
Isaac Lowe 125.5 lbs vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi 127.7 lbs
Featherweight – 10 rounds
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