World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight titleholder Britain’s Tyson Fury reacts throughout his weigh-in at Wembley Stadium in London on April 22, 2022, on the eve of his struggle in opposition to Dillian Whyte. (AFP)
LONDON – Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will conflict in Saudi Arabia on February 17 in a ‘historic’ struggle for the undisputed heavyweight title.
British star Fury will put his WBC title on the road, with Ukrainian Usyk’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles additionally up for grabs in Riyadh.
The winner will likely be topped the primary undisputed champion of the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis from 1999 to 2000.
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 36, had been initially scheduled to conflict on December 23.
However Fury’s disappointing efficiency in a split-decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou final month compelled the postponement of the extremely anticipated struggle.
He was left with a swollen eye and a reduce on the brow after the controversial victory in opposition to Ngannou.
Fury has already confronted criticism for failing to succeed in a cope with Usyk when a proposed assembly at Wembley in April couldn’t be confirmed.
The pair will finally step into the ring in 2024 as Fury appears to increase his report of 34 wins with one draw since turning professional in 2008.
“This can be a historic occasion. The entire world of boxing has been ready for a lot of, a few years, and so they now have this struggle,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren advised reporters at a information convention in London on Thursday.
“For the primary time this century we may have an undisputed heavyweight champion.
“As a promoter I have been banging my head in opposition to the wall. However now we’ve got the crème de la crème. These two undefeated heavyweight fighters.”
‘Cement my legacy’
In a usually combative temper, Fury referred on the press convention to his 2015 victory over Usyk’s compatriot Wladimir Klitschko, which received him the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
“I’ve already freed one Ukrainian from all ties, and now I’ll take all of them again,” Fury stated.
“Usyk is a champion, I’m a champion. Will probably be a battle for eternity.”
Fury believes a win over Usyk would cement his standing as one of many all-time greats.
“He is boxer, clean. However I’ve seen individuals like him earlier than, and once they struggle the large man, they lose,” he stated.
‘I imagine we’re each meant to be right here. I’m destined to turn into the undisputed champion and, much more, to cement my legacy.”
Usyk stored his cool amid Fury’s insults, which included taking swipes at his opponent and his earring.
“Sure, I’m a small man. I’ll communicate within the ring,” Usyk stated.
Fury has held the WBC title since beating Deontay Wilder in 2020 and has defended the title thrice.
He stopped Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022 and defeated Derek Chisora eight months later on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Usyk, who has received all 21 of his fights, is the WBA, IBF and WBO titleholder since beating Anthony Joshua in 2021.
The Ukrainian has defended his titles twice. Final 12 months he defeated Joshua through cut up choice in Saudi Arabia and knocked out Daniel Dubois in August.
Saudi Arabia has hosted a number of premier boxing occasions in recent times, together with Usyk’s victory over Anthony Joshua in 2022.
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The Gulf state has been accused of utilizing sport to spice up its worldwide popularity, following widespread criticism of its human rights report.
