Tyson Fury‘s promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that his fighter does plan to rematch Oleksandr Usyk later this year.
The Ukrainian defeated the Gypsy King in a blockbuster clash on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, winning via split decision after the judges scored the bout 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.
It meant that Usyk became the first boxer since Lennox Lewis in 1999 to unify the heavyweight division after taking the WBC title off Fury, which was added to his WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles.
There was an immediate rematch clause attached to the bout but there have been doubts over whether Fury will exercise it and speculation over a possible retirement.
However, speaking on talkSPORT, Warren insisted Fury does intend to meet usyk in the ring for a second time.
Frank Warren (right) has confirmed that Tyson Fury does plan to rematch Oleksandr Usyk
‘He’s back here, he’s recuperating and his mood is that he wants the rematch and that’s already signed for so it will happen,’ said Warren.
He then confirmed that the fight will take place in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the location of their inaugural encounter.
It marks a clear change in tone from Warren, who had been partly to blame for the3 doubts over a rematch.
Speaking to Seconds Out on Sunday, he said: ‘We are committed because there’s a contract signed. However, Tyson’s got to want to do it and Usyk has got to want to do it.
There were doubts over whether Fury would exercise his rematch clause after his defeat
‘If one of them says ‘I’ve had enough’ that could be the case. And that would be their choice.
‘They’re two guys who gave everything in that ring, both of them.’
When pressed on whether Usyk actually has the option to pull out, with the rematch clause being in the hands of the loser, Warren replied: ‘Well he can, he’s the champion, he can say he’s retiring.
‘I’m not saying he would, but he has that option, doesn’t he?’
Asked what hesitation there might be from Fury’s side, Warren continued: ‘He did immediately say [he’d take the rematch] in the ring.
‘But I told him he’s been away from his family since last December, two back-to-back training camps, no fight in between, it’s a long time to be away from his family.
‘We don’t have to make any decisions about anything. It’s contracted, and if he wants to go through with it he’ll go through with it.
‘But who is anybody to pressure Tyson on what he should be doing. That’s his choice. He’s the guy getting in the ring, he’s the guy who’s taking the lumps and that’s how it is.’
