Boxing fans are rooting for Oleksandr Usyk to prevail over Tyson Fury in today’s heavyweight clash and potentially take the series 2-0.

The two first faced each other in a thrilling match in May this year, in which Usyk defeated “The Gypsy King” by split decision. With this victory, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Even though he is the favorite to win again, many still believe Fury has the potential to displace the Ukrainian sensation.

Thousands of our readers cast their votes for the outcome of the fight, and there was a clear winner. Fifty-three percent of voters believe Usyk’s skills will defeat the “Gypsy King” and 45 percent believe the Briton will equalize the result in Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, given the expected closeness of the fight, only two percent of voters expect a draw. While most support the undefeated 37-year-old Ukrainian, Fury will certainly have something to say.

In a tight fight on Thursday evening, the Briton looked to issue a stern warning to his upcoming opponent. “He’s f–king, last time I was at 50 percent, you were the best you’ve ever been and yet you couldn’t do it,” he said. “You couldn’t do that.” *** All. Don’t be afraid, bunny, you look like shit. I won’t leave you alone. You ugly little son of a bitch. I’m killing you. You’ll wake up in the hospital, clown. You have a gift decision to make, clown. I’m a man, I’m a fucking champion.

“You ugly rat bastard. You are a rat. I will beat you seven days a week.” As for Usyk, the Ukrainian will once again be hoping to put on a show. He told Sky Sports: “I feel good. It’s round 13 because that’s how I feel. Tyson Fury also had a chance in the sixth, maybe seventh, maybe 12th, 11th, first, second round. But Tyson didn’t do that. It’s just a conversation. Tyson said I had a chance.

Meanwhile, Fury is backed by his promoter Frank Warren to fight unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Saturday’s rematch in Riyad. Fury left the event immediately after scoring a career-high 20 stone and 1 pound at the weigh-in, although he was fully clothed when he stepped on the scale and was wearing a massive leather jacket.

Usyk, the WBA, WBC and WBO champion who won the first fight by split decision, was also unclothed and weighed in at 16lb 2lb, the highest recorded. After the rivals stared down for 11 minutes and 20 seconds during Thursday’s head-to-head press conference, the final clash lasted just seconds before Fury turned around.

The 36-year-old then abruptly left, leaving Queensbury Promotions boss Warren to answer questions. “There will be war tomorrow (Saturday). That’s what it’s all about,” Warren said. “Tyson came to get these titles back, that’s why he’s here, that’s why he sacrificed a lot and I believe it will happen. You can analyze this however you want, the truth is that we will find out who is the best.

“And you know they both come to fight. This will be stimulating. When the first bell rings, they’ll get down to it and you’ll see something extra, extra special. In my opinion, it will happen (finish in the distance) – to Tyson’s advantage.”

Tyson Fury’s wife Paris admitted it was “very arduous” not to talk to her husband as he prepared to fight Oleksandr Usyk.

The Gypsy king unexpectedly stated that he had cut himself off from his wife and their family for three months, such is his determination to take revenge on Usyk in their rematch.

The 36-year-old boxer took drastic steps to mentally prepare for his second fight with the Ukrainian after losing to Usyk in May following a split decision.

Usyk became Riyad’s first undisputed four-division heavyweight champion in the sport, and the two fighters will face each other again on Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia.

Paris Fury confirmed her husband’s claims that they did not speak for three months after flying to the Middle East.

I’m talking to IFL TV boxingshe said, “Yes, it’s true. I think after the last fight, everything that had happened before personally in our lives, and then Tyson obviously came to an end, last time, I just think he decided it on his own and I had to support him in that.

“He didn’t want to be involved in his family life, so he cut himself off from us for the last few months, he put himself in a solemn, solemn condition and he seems very, very determined.

“So if this happened, then God willing, tomorrow night everything will come out and everything will be good and worthwhile.”

While Fury undergoes demanding training to be in top shape and take revenge for his defeat earlier this year, his wife Paris has spoken about the difficulties of keeping the house in order on her own.

They have seven children together, three daughters and four sons, all named Prince.

But Paris emotionally shared the negative consequences of being kept away from her husband.

“It was very arduous, I can’t lie,” she admitted. “I supported him in this decision, but sitting and not talking to my husband for a long time wasn’t the greatest thing.

“Yesterday was the first time I saw him, we still hadn’t spoken, I was literally 10 feet away from him and we barely made eye contact. But I see and think it paid off.

“I haven’t seen him like that since the rematch with Deontay Wilder, that was the last time I saw Tyson in that mood, so I can’t tell you too much because we haven’t talked for weeks, weeks, weeks.”

Tyson Fury has once again disappointed British boxing fans. And not by failing to bring the heavyweight belts back to the UK.

Fighting in Saudi Arabia means fans no longer have “I was there” moments.

Only 2,500 Britons made up the 20,000 people packed into the Kingdom Arena for the first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, and not many more will show up for the rematch.

It shows that Saudi Arabia should not be the recent home of boxing.

British fans have proven they will travel. More than 30,000 viewers followed Ricky Hatton to Las Vegas when he bravely lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2007.

Recently, 8,000 home fans flocked to Madison Square Garden for Anthony Joshua’s match against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Both were great “I was there” moments.

However, Usyk vs Fury 2 will be another disappointment, even though the fight has all the hallmarks of a classic.

Fury has earned enough to support his family for a lifetime – now it’s time to give his devoted followers the chance to see him in person.

In September at Wembley, Daniel Dubois defended his IBF world title against Joshua in front of over 98,000 spectators.

Fury could break that record if he fought the right challenger here. Perhaps he’ll save it for when he finally faces Joshua. We just have to pray that it’s not too delayed for their careers.

The cheerful Flintoff family

They say it’s who you know, not what you know, that gets you to the top.

Rocky Flintoff, 16, will have to prove that theory wrong after his dad, Freddie Flintoff, called him up for the England Lions squad, which embarks on a tour of Australia in January.

During the winter family fun, all eyes will be on the school graduate.