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TYSON FURY'S blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk has been subjected to a late change, reports suggest.

But rather than any fighters being drafted in at the last-minute, the change relates to the judges who will be overseeing the fight.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off at a press conference.
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Oleksandr Usyk's fight with Tyson Fury will go ahead with a late change to the judging panelCredit: Getty

Puerto Rico's Gerardo Martinez, Chicago's Patrick Morley and Miami's Fernando Barbosa were originally set to score the historic clash.

However, boxing journalist, , has reported that Barbosa has been taken ill and did not fly to Riyadh.

Consequently, Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey is said to have stepped in to fill the void.

Weisfeld was a judge on Usyk's first match with Anthony Joshua in 2021, scoring the Ukrainian a 116-112 winner.

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He also scored Fury ahead of Deontay Wilder in the second and third fights in their trilogy in 2020 and 2021 respectively, although his services were not required due to the Gypsy King scoring KOs in both.

Weisfeld has led an illustrious career stretching back to 1991, with over 2000 fights under his belt, and has largely avoided controversy in that time.

However, promoter Frank Warren has since said that there is another judge who could be called upon because the two fighters' camps are in disagreement.

He has even suggested they 'spin a coin' to decide.

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Robert Ramirez Jr of Puerto Rico has been picked as the referee.

Usyk and Fury's first fight in May garnered its share of uproar.

'I've just got a sneaky feeling,' says Eddie Hearn as he makes U-turn on prediction for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2

The Ukrainian edged the contest 115-112 to Usyk, 114-113 to Fury, and 114-113 to Usyk.

Meanwhile, a new experiment will also see an AI-powered fourth judge submit a scorecard for the fight as part of a groundbreaking experiment.

Announcing the news, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wrote on social media: "For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight.

"Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring.

"This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, #Usyk2Fury, on December 21."

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Fury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard - all you need to know for big rematch

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