The officiating team for the upcoming heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 has been finalized.
The referee for this highly anticipated match will be Mark Nelson, a seasoned professional who has previously overseen 990 bouts, including more than 100 world title fights. The judging panel will consist of Manuel Oliver Palermo from Spain, Craig Metcalfe from Canada, and Mike Fitzgerald from Jacksonville, Wisconsin.
Mark Nelson, who has been a referee since 1992, first officiated a major title fight in 1997. His most recent notable bout involved stepping in to protect Liam Wilson from Oscar Valdez this past March. This fight will mark his first time officiating at a world heavyweight title fight, with much of his previous experience in lighter weight classes.
Manuel Oliver Palermo has been an official since 1997 and has judged 234 professional bouts, primarily at the European level. He has occasionally delivered controversial decisions, such as in 2002 and 2011 during significant cruiserweight bouts. Craig Metcalfe, with 374 bouts since 2005, has a history of scoring that sometimes diverges significantly from other judges, as seen last June and in a previous bout involving Usyk in 2018. Mike Fitzgerald has been a judge since 1992 and has scored over 1,000 fights, including a notable bout between John Ryder and Daniel Jacobs in London.
All four officials have been approved by the British Boxing Board of Control, ensuring a team with extensive experience and history in the sport for this crucial showdown.
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