By Shaun Murphy-
The highly anticipated rematch between disputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is scheduled for December 21, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
Usyk emerged victorious over Fury by a split decision on May 18, becoming the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era following a challenging contest that saw the gypsy fighter dominate the first half of the fight, only to nearly get stopped in the ninth round as Usyk eventually gathered momentum and the fight began to swing his way.
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There is a feeling in Fury’s camp that the 6ft 9 inches brash fighter may be able to correct his mistakes for the rematch which is expected to be more thrilling than the first.
Initially planned for October, the rematch has now been confirmed for December.
“The world will watch another historical fight again,” Alalshikh announced on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”
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Usyk, the 37-year-old Ukrainian, added Fury’s WBC belt to his collection, which already included the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. Usyk’s win in Riyadh marked him as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. He boasts an undefeated record of 22 professional fights.
While the exact venue for the rematch has not been disclosed, Alalshikh confirmed it would occur during the Riyadh Season, an entertainment festival held every winter since 2019, known for hosting high-profile boxing events.
For 35-year-old Briton Fury, this rematch represents a crucial opportunity for redemption after experiencing his first professional defeat in his 16-year career against Usyk.
However, it is unlikely that all four belts will be contested in the rematch. The IBF is expected to strip Usyk of their title as he will not be facing their mandatory challenger next. Despite this, Usyk has requested an “exception” to retain the belt for the rematch. The IBF has informed BBC Sport that their “board of directors” will convene to discuss this request.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits this monumental rematch, the upcoming clash between Usyk and Fury promises to be another historic event, continuing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to bringing premier boxing spectacles to the global stage.
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