RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has confirmed the undercard for the Ring of Fire Reignited fight between heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.

One of the showpiece events of Riyadh Season 2024, the undercard for the colossal Usyk-Fury rematch on Dec. 21 is certainly one that is fitting for a fight of this billing.

Former WBA light-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov returns to action at Riyadh Season as he looks to bounce back following his points defeat to Terence Crawford in Los Angeles against Serhii Bohachuk, who narrowly lost out to Vergil Ortiz in an epic battle by majority decision last time out.

Heavyweight Moses Itauma is also confirmed, having featured on the original Ring of Fire card back in May when he won the vacant WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title following a second-round stoppage victory against Germany’s Ilja Mezencev, retaining his title with another second-round stoppage against Mariusz Wach.

His opponent for December will be Australian fighter Demsey McKean, back in action after a 22-fight winning run was brought to an end by Filip Hrgovic last year.

In another heavyweight battle, Johnny Fisher will look to extend his explosive knockout streak against Dave Allen, coming off his second points win of the year.

Elsewhere, Dennis McCann puts his unbeaten record on the line against Peter McGrail, who recently produced arguably the best win of his professional career against Brad Foster, while Isaac Lowe is back at Kingdom Arena, where he secured a fourth straight win against Hasibullah Ahmadi on points during May’s Ring of Fire undercard.

Lowe will take on Lee McGregor, the former British and European bantamweight champion.

LONDON:Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks with a hamstring injury, which would rule him out of matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.
The 32-year-old Brazil international was hurt during last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace and went off late in the second half.
Reports in the British press say tests have shown Alisson is not likely to be fit to play until after next month’s international break.
That would mean the first match he would potentially be available for would be the trip to Southampton on November 24.
Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders face Chelsea on October 20 and Arsenal a week later, while their next two Champions League fixtures pit them against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen.
Caoimhin Kelleher, who missed the Palace match through illness, will be expected to deputise, as he did last season when Alisson was ruled out with another hamstring injury.
Speaking after the victory at Crystal Palace, Slot predicted a lengthy lay-off for his number one goalkeeper.
“We have to wait and see but it will be a few weeks for him to be back. I think it is, yes (his hamstring),” he said.
“He’s clearly our number one, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. It’s always a blow when he gets injured, not only for him but us as a team.”
Liverpool have 18 points from seven Premier League matches — one more than defending champions Manchester City and Arsenal.