Tyson Fury next fight: Oleksandr Usyk rematch confirmed by Turki Alalshikh
Associated PressTyson Fury’s next fight has been confirmed by Turki Alalshikh as the highly anticipated rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, set to take place later this year.
Fury and Usyk will once again go toe-to-toe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this December following their showdown in May that saw the Ukrainian become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since 1999.
Here is all we know about Fury and Usyk’s rematch after the bout was given the green light by the man who holds the biggest purse strings in boxing.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch confirmed
Turki Alalshikh has confirmed that Fury and Usyk will fight again on December 21, 2024.
The rematch will take place during Riyadh Season, seven months after the pair last went toe-to-toe in Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, believes that Usyk will vacate his IBF title, meaning that the winner will not be the undisputed champion.
Instead, Hearn believes that Joshua will fight for the IBF belt when he takes on the winner of Hrgovic vs Dubois in September.
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Should Fury beat Usyk in the rematch, and AJ win his respective fight, there could possibly be another undisputed showdown looming on the horizon in what is set to be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
How Fury vs Usyk unfolded
Fury came out dancing as he entered through the tunnel, with a giant smile on his face, looking as relaxed as we’ve ever seen him while walking to the ring.
The British star eventually made it to the squared circle, and with the legendary Michael Buffer on the mic, Fury met Usyk in the center of the ring as referee Mark Nelson read the rules.
As the two men departed to their respective corners, the tension in the Kingdom Arena could be felt through the television screen. The opening bell rang, and the fight was underway.
Fury’s size advantage — in terms of height and reach — was apparent early in the match, as the much larger fighter controlled the ring by keeping Usyk at a safe distance.
Around the midway point, things began to shift in Usyk’s favor. He had the referee on the verge of calling the fight after stumbling Fury with a sharp left hand in the ninth frame.
‘The Gypsy King’ bounced around the ropes before eventually succumbing to the damage, leading to the start of a ten-count from Nelson.
Fury answered the bell, but Usyk maintained control of the fight during the final nine minutes. The 10-8 ninth round really turned the tides on Tyson.
That said, one judge saw it in Fury’s favor, and for what it’s worth, I had the same 114-113 scorecard. Alas, the two other judges gave it to Usyk, leaving the Brit with the first loss of his legendary career.
Anthony Joshua awaits winner of Fury/Usyk rematch
Even though this first Fury vs Usyk battle is over, a rematch awaits the two men. However, Anthony Joshua expects a shot at the undisputed crown in 2025.
When asked about Joshua sneaking his way into the fold, Fury shut that notion down. “There’s not much he can build because we got two-fight deals.
“So he can build up what he wants to, he has to wait until it’s all over. Then, we can negotiate or whatever.”
Joshua’s camp has confirmed they want to fight the winner of Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic first, meaning AJ wouldn’t be a viable option for Fury in 2024 anyway.
But a fight between Joshua and Fury is inevitable if Tyson notches a win in his rematch vs Usyk.
Joshua, as expected, was in attendance watching the fight. He chummed it up with football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. ahead of the Fury vs Usyk war.
Final thoughts on Fury vs Usyk
Although I had Fury winning the fight, it was a close enough matchup to accept a split decision. One thing everyone can agree on is that a rematch is necessary.
Fury and Usyk both wanted it and were contractually obligated to make an immediate follow-up match, so boxing fans will get another chance to witness greatness vs greatness in December this year.
Until then, Usyk sits atop the boxing world as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. It’s up to Fury to snatch that crown.
Tyson Fury’s professional boxing record
Fury was dealt a loss for the first time in his storied career. He now sits at 34-1-1 and will look to avenge this lone defeat in a rematch against Usyk later this year.
Prior to the defeat to the Ukrainian, the only other blemish on Fury’s record came from a 2018 draw vs Deontay Wilder. Otherwise, ‘The Gypsy King’ had always left the ring with his hand raised in victory.
Alas, that all changed when Usyk took home the undisputed heavyweight championship on the back of a split decision from the three judges at ringside.