Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight fight will NOT be covered on the radio after the BBC failed to reach a UK rights deal

Radio listeners will be unable to absorb the live action of this weekend’s heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk after BBC failed to agree a deal for the bout.

The fighters are set to go head-to-head in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with the winner crowned as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

The magnitude of the bout has, for the first time, resulted in four broadcasters gaining rights to show the spectacle in the UK.

However, according to The Times, the radio waves will be silent after a deal could not be struck.

The report states that the BBC sent a team to the Gulf State this week expecting to conclude a deal for the showpiece. However, an agreement fell through on Wednesday.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk pre-fight press conference chat

Anticipation is building for the huge heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury (pictured) and Oleksandr Usyk
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Anticipation is building for the huge heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury (pictured) and Oleksandr Usyk

UK viewers will have plenty of choice when it comes to watching the bout between Usyk (pictured) and Fury but there will be no radio alternatives
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UK viewers will have plenty of choice when it comes to watching the bout between Usyk (pictured) and Fury but there will be no radio alternatives

Additionally, they report that the the Saudi promoters have opted not to sell the radio rights in the UK because they believe it would diminish the number of pay-per-view sales.

UK viewers have their pick of DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office or TNT Sports Box Office – all for a fee of £24.95 – for the bout.

Fury and Usyk will step into the ring at the Kingdom Arena for the first time on Saturday, May 18.

The pair will battle it out over 12 rounds in a winner-takes-all bout which is due to get underway at 11pm UK time – 1am Saudi Arabia time on Sunday, May 19.

An official start time for the event has yet to be released but looking at previous events in Saudi Arabia could see the main card get underway as early as 4pm Uk / 11am ET / 8am PT.

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