Cristiano Ronaldo sits next to Anthony Joshua in front row for Fury vs Usyk after ‘terrifying’ McGregor experience
CRISTIANO RONALDO has avoided another potential awkward moment with Conor McGregor after landing a seat next to Anthony Joshua for tonight’s boxing extravaganza.
Tyson Fury is about to battle Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, 34, will have a particularly keen eye on the action with the Brit potentially facing the winner over the next 12 months.
And the two-time world champion will be seated next to another legendary sportsman.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo scored last night to help Al-Nassr earn a 1-1 with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.
The Manchester United and Real Madrid icon has been a regular at ringside for some of the biggest fights in Saudi.
And one of those was to watch Joshua’s stunning knockout victory over Otto Wallin in December.
But Ronaldo found himself going viral in amusing fashion as he looked “terrified” sat next to animated UFC icon Conor McGregor.
The cameras panned to the pair just as McGregor was aiming a rant at a Saudi boxing boss about old rival Manny Pacquiao while Ronaldo sat there looking sheepish between the two.
Fortunately for the Portuguese ace, he will be spared the prospect for a potential reunion with the Irishman tonight.
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McGregor is not expected to attend this time as he is currently training for his UFC return against Michael Chandler next month.
Although he may come face-to-face with his former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.
The Red Devils’ all-time top scorer is a big fan of boxing and confirmed earlier this year that he has had talks with Misfits Boxing over potentially having a fight of his own.
Tensions have been building all week in Riyadh ahead of today’s blockbuster.
Fury REFUSED to even look at rival Usyk in the pre-fight press conference before aggressively squaring up to at the weigh-in.
Usyk‘s team continued the eventful build-up by filing a complaint that parts of the Riyadh ring canvas could be a trip hazard.
But it was the WBC champion’s father John Fury who has stolen the headlines after he shockingly HEADBUTTED Stanislav Stepchuk – a member of the Usyk team – on Monday.
TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT
John, who was left with a bloodied forehead, was then screaming in the resulting melee: “We can’t be beat! We can’t be beat!”
The 59-year-old then threatened to headbutt Tony Bellew after he predicted a Usyk win and then launched a bitter attack on “traitor” British fans who believe that his undefeated 6ft 9in boy will be beaten this weekend.
Tonight’s fight will see one man crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the first time since Lennox Lewis held the mantle in 1999.
Usyk holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, while Fury is the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion.
Both men also have unbeaten records.
Inside the Gypsy King's royal court
TYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.
The two-time heavyweight champion is not known for pulling his punches and lets both his fists and mouth do the talking.
Fury has seven children with wife Paris and recently hinted another is on the way.
Their family life is set to hit the screen again with season two of At Home With The Furys being filmed for Netflix.
The Gypsy King is Love Island star Tommy’s older brother.
He is heading for a £200million showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua and on track to become boxing’s first billionaire.
But daughter Venezuela has taken a cheeky pop at her dad for his bargain-hunting ways.
Despite boasting a monster car collection, he can often be seen pottering around town in a VERY modest motor.
Fury has opened up on his mental health struggles and shared insights into the diet behind his incredible body transformations.
As well as his talents in the ring, the Morecambe mauler is known for serenading fans in the ring and incredible bespoke, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, fight-week suits.
Check out all our Tyson Fury stories here.