Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch confirmed as official date set
A date for the highly-anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been confirmed.
Fans of the 'Gypsy King' were left stunned on 18 May when the legendary boxer was dealt the first loss of his professional career against Usyk, seeing the Ukrainian crowned the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Fury was dealt the biggest set back of his career in the Saudi Arabian capital after Usyk defeated him by split decision (115-112 Usyk 114-113 Fury 114-113 Usyk).
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Fans were treated to a bloody spectacle on the night, seeing Fury fight his way back after coming very close to being defeated in the ninth round.
The result takes Usyk's record to 22-0-0, with 14 wins by KO, while Fury's is now 34-1-1, with 24 defeats by KO.
However, Fury has now launched his bid to reclaim his WBC heavyweight world title, by activating his rematch clause against Usyk.
The second bout will see Fury and Usyk return to Riyadh again to face-off in just as part of a huge money deal.
It was announced by Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who said: "The rematch between the Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk and the Champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on the 21 of December 2024 during Riyadh Season.
"The world will watch another historical fight again...Our commitment to boxing fans continues...We hope you enjoy it..."
Fury's promoter Frank Warren previously spoke about a rematch between the pair, saying the next fight wold be 'better than the original fight'.
"There will be a rematch," Warren said. "I think it will be better than the original fight.
"They both know each other, they've shared the ring and they'll be looking to use what they've gained from the fight as an advantage to beat their opponent."
The news of a rematch comes as Usyk is likely to be stripped of one of his titles in the next few weeks.
Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF titles, however, a decision could see him forced to turn over his IBF belt so Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois can fight for the title on 1 June.
The decision is complicated after Usyk was handed a medical suspension until 2 June due to his injuries from the brutal fight with Fury.
Meanwhile, Fury found himself at the centre of controversy after the fight, due to his claim that Usyk had only won the bout because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
During an interview with DAZN, Fury told reporters he believed he had won the fight but people were 'siding with the country at war'.
"I believe we both put on a good fight - best we could do. And, you know, his country is at war. People are siding with the country at war," he said.
"Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion."
Topics: Sport, Tyson Fury
Brenna Cooper