Ringside judge no-shows Usyk-Fury 2 card, panicked officials fly in some guy from New Jersey

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

Fernando Barbosa called in sick.

The veteran boxing judge with nearly 300 pro bouts under his belt was one of three officials expected to score the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch on Sat. night (Dec. 21) in Riyadh, but was forced to withdraw from the DAZN pay-per-view (PPV) fight card after falling ill and finding himself unable to travel.

That’s according to veteran boxing reporter Keith Idec.

Taking Barbosa’s place is New Jersey’s Steve Weisfeld, who previously scored contests for both Usyk and Fury. Joining Weisfeld at the judges’ table are Chicago’s Patrick Morley and Puerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez, with Roberto Ramirez — also from Puerto Rico — handling referee duties for the 12-round headliner.

Usyk is defending his WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles having already defeated “The Gypsy King” by way of split decision back in May. In the weeks that followed his Fury win to unify the heavyweight straps, Usyk was forced to relinquish his IBF belt. That strap now rests around the waist of the resurgent Daniel Dubois.

For the finalized Usyk vs. Fury 2 fight card and PPV lineup click here.