A BOXER has stepped in to fight on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Yysk II undercard at just two weeks’ notice.
Serhii Bohachuk had been left without an opponent as Israil Madrimov, 29, withdrew from the clash.
It has been confirmed that the Usbek fighter has been suffering from acute bronchitis.
This has caused him to pull out of the fight on December 21 at The Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh revealed that British star Ishmael Davis will step in to replace Madrimov.
He wrote: It was confirmed by doctors this evening that Israil Madrimov is suffering from acute bronchitis and has to withdraw from the Dec 21 fight with Bohachuk.
“British fighter Ishmael Davis will replace Madrimov, who will now rest and recover for his scheduled fight on Feb 22 fight with Vergil Ortiz.”
As per Alalshikh’s announcement, Madrimov is still expected to return to the ring on February 22 to take on WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Davis, 29, has taken part in two more professional fights than Madrimov in his career.
He has been victorious in 13 of his 14 bouts, with six being won by knockout.
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It is not the first time he has stepped in for a fight at late notice.
In September, he took on Josh Kelly as a late replacement for Liam Smith but lost the fight.
Here is a look at the updated fight card...
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury has admitted he will not try to outbox Oleksandr Usyk when they reunite in the ring.
The Gypsy King was beaten by the Ukrainian when they met in May via a split decision.
The Wythenshawe warrior has insisted that he lost the first duel because he was “playing around” with Usyk.
He has now admitted he is planning on entering the ring for the second time in “destroy mode”.
Fury is also being lined up for a stunning rematch against Wladimir Klitschko after their 2015 showdown.
The Morecambe star dethroned the Klitschko in a huge upset two years before his retirement.
LUKE LITTLER will vie with Jude Bellingham and Keely Hodgkinson for the affection of the British public after being shortlisted for the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The teen sensation is the youngest of the six contenders” for the prestigious TV award, which has been running annually since 1954.
The Nuke will be up against Real Madrid’s Champions League winner Bellingham, Olympic 800 metres gold medallist Hodgkinson, record-breaking cricketer Joe Root, Paralympic cycling champion Dame Sarah Storey and triathlete Alex Yee.
Littler, 17, has been deservedly recognised for his exceptional exploits in his first year as a darts professional.
The Warrington ace made it to the PDC World Championship final on January 3 – he was defeated 7-4 by Luke Humphries at Ally Pally – and then became Premier League champion in May following a superb nine-dart leg.
Littler – who has banked more than £1million in prize money throughout 2024 – has won 10 titles in total and thrilled crowds across the country with his outstanding displays despite leaving school only last year.
If Littler receives the most votes on the night of Tuesday December 17 – and Hodgkinson is the bookies’ favourite – he would be the second-youngest winner in the event’s history.
The youngest recipient was 17-year-old Scottish swimmer Ian Black, who was victorious in 1958 ahead of footballers Bobby Charlton and Nat Lofthouse.
Littler turns 18 next month and is the fave for this year’s World Championship, which starts on Sunday.
He could even have double success on the night as he is also shortlisted for the Young Sports Personality of the Year category.
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Phil Taylor was second behind jockey Tony McCoy at SPOTY 2010 but has told Littler he should consider skipping the night and staying at home so can fully focus on trying to win the Sid Waddell Trophy in the New Year.
Football has provided seven winners of the main award, including Paul Gascoigne, Michael Owen, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
Here are the runners and riders in with a shot of ultimate glory...
Luke Littler – Darts
Jude Bellingham – Football
Keely Hodgkinson – Athletics
Joe Root – Cricket
Dame Sarah Storey – Paralympic cycling
Alex Yee – Triathlon
Bellingham helped Madrid win the LaLiga title and the Champions League at Wembley, contributing a remarkable 23 goals across all competitions in his debut season at the Bernabeu.
Though England lost the European Championship final to Spain in Berlin, the 21-year-old scored twice in the competition, including an incredible bicycle kick in the 2-1 Last 16 win over Slovakia.
Hodgkinson, 22, became the tenth British woman to claim an Olympic title in athletics as she stormed to glory over two laps at the Stade de France.
Root, 33, made history in style as he surpassed Alastair Cook’s mark of 12,472 runs to become England’s leading scorer in Test cricket with a career best 262 against Pakistan in October.
Mum-of-two Storey, 47, is Britain’s greatest Paralympian and added two more gold medals to her impressive collection as she won cycling’s C4-C5 road race and C5 road time trial in Paris.
And Yee, 26, enjoyed a stunning 2024 in which he was crowned both Olympic and world champion.
What is most surprising is that the shortlist has been confined to six people for the seventh year running – rather than be expanded because it is an Olympic and Paralympic year.
It does not include the likes of cycling hero Mark Cavendish, who retired after winning a record 35th Tour de France stage.
Road cyclist Tom Pidcock and trampolinist Bryony Page – who are both Olympic champions – have also been snubbed as organisers kept it to a small list.
And swimmer Poppy Maskill, 19, would consider herself unlucky not to be nominated after winning five medals at the Paralympics, including three golds.
Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will present the show live on BBC One but Gary Lineker has stepped down as host after 23 years in the role.
The judging panel consisted of 12 people – former sportspeople, broadcasters, journalists and BBC executives – and included retired cyclist Laura Kenny and ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.
Other awards presented on the night are World Sport Star of the Year, the Helen Rollason Award, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement award .
Lioness goalkeeper Mary Earps took home the coveted title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023.
