BOXING fans were all switching to Sky Sports’ coverage after realising who was back on their punditry panel.
The world is tuning in to watch Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Saudi Arabia TONIGHT.
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A host of stars are ringside for the bout – with Cristiano Ronaldo seated alongside Anthony Joshua on the front row.
However, Usyk looked completely relaxed as he arrived at the arena in Riyadh carrying a CUDDLY TOY.
One man who believes that the Ukrainian will have his arm raised in the humdinger is former WBA and lineal featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan.
The Irishman, 63, was a regular on Sky Sports before leaving them a decade ago.
However, he was back on our screens for them tonight as a pundit and that proved to be a masterstroke as many claimed on X that they had opted for them over rival broadcaster TNT Sports or DAZN.
One wrote: “Barry McGuigan back on Sky tonight. Andy Clarke usually very good on comms too.
“I’m going with them, DAZN too shaky and TNT have Richie Woodhall which is enough to turn anyone off.”
Another wrote: “McGuigan was one of my favourite boxers as a kid.A lovely and humble fella.”
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While a third commented: “Great to see McGuigan back.”
Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse was hailed as being “absolutely smashing” as she fronted the dazzled on screen in the studio in London as she fronted the show.
Meanwhile, Becky Ives stunned on the TNT Sports screens after her late call-up for boxing duty tonight.
Those that purchased the fight on TNT Sports will have quickly noticed that Laura Woods was not on hosting duties as expected.
The fan favourite host has dropped out after suffering a freak accident this week.
Woods posted a heartfelt note on Friday evening revealing she is unable to attend the clash after a horror injury while on holiday with boyfriend Adam Collard.
The fan favourite revealed she had accidentally smashed a glass lampshade above her head, causing it to shatter and cut her face and arm.
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It was soon announced that Becky would be stepping into the shoes of Woods on fight night.
And she was certainly ready to rumble in a bold green dress in Riyadh as she got to work alongside Carl Frampton, David Haye and Steve Bunce to analyse the action.
The mind games started between the fighters when Fury REFUSED to even look at rival Usyk in the pre-fight press conference.
Usyk‘s team continued the eventful build-up by filing a complaint that parts of the Riyadh ring canvas could be a trip hazard.
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However, it was the WBC champion’s father John Fury who had stolen the headlines after he shockingly HEADBUTTED Stanislav Stepchuk – a member of the Usyk team – on Monday.
The 59-year-old John, who was left with a bloodied forehead, then threatened to headbutt Tony Bellew after he predicted a Usyk win and then launched a bitter attack on “traitor” British fans who believe that his undefeated 6ft 9in boy will be beaten this weekend.
Tonight’s fight will see one man crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the first time since Lennox Lewis held the mantle in 1999.
Usyk holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, while Fury is the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion.
Both men also have unbeaten records – but someone’s ‘O’ has got to go tonight.
Saudi Arabia is no place for Fury vs Usyk… the blockbuster undisputed fight will sound deserted
By Dave Kidd
IT is the single greatest individual sporting title on the planet — the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
It is the crown worn by Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano and Jack Dempsey.
And it is an honour which has not been bestowed for a quarter of a century.
Yet when Tyson Fury steps into the ring to face Oleksandr Usyk for the ultimate accolade in prize-fighting, he will do so in the dead of an Arabian night, in front of a largely disinterested crowd, one with little atmosphere or sense of occasion.
What ought to have been The Greatest Show on Earth will feel like a ding-dong held in a vortex.
The Saudification of elite sport is reaching crisis point — from the civil war in golf, to the march of football’s filthy-rich Saudi Pro League, to the awarding of the 2034 World Cup.
But this event, at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, in the early hours of Sunday morning local time, is a true crown jewel, allowing the Sheikhs to bask in its reflected glory, to marvel at their own wealth and power.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr met Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at the same venue earlier this year but that was an exhibition match, this is the real deal.
The tragedy for British boxing is that it currently holds the balance of power in the heavyweight division — thanks to Fury, Anthony Joshua and several other decent contenders.