Heavyweight Unification Bout: Fury vs. Usyk Set for Saudi Arabia
The highly anticipated heavyweight unification bout between Tyson Fury, the WBC champion, and Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 18. This match-up, originally scheduled for February, was postponed when Fury sustained a late cut in sparring.
The fight is supposedly the first of two consecutive bouts between the pair, as a rematch clause is in place. However, the impressive performances of Anthony Joshua, first against Otto Wallin and then against Francis Ngannou, have led some to suggest that Fury should face Joshua next, should he emerge victorious.
The all-British heavyweight clash between Fury and Joshua has long been a dream match-up for U.K. fight fans, and with a show expected to be held at Wembley later this year, there could be no better occasion to stage this highly anticipated encounter.
Nonetheless, Usyk remains the favorite for some oddsmakers, and he harbors ambitions of a homecoming fight in Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict in the country. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that the organization has approved the Fury-Usyk unification fight and a subsequent rematch, meaning any deviation from this plan would require a fresh petition.
Sulaiman understands the British public’s desire to see Fury face Joshua, acknowledging that the fight may become less attractive, marketable, or competitive if delayed until 2024. He has also expressed sympathy for the plight of Ukraine, recognizing that Usyk’s success could provide a morale boost for his countrymen during these challenging times.
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