A historic fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 early next year.
The rival stars have finally agreed to meet in the ring after months of boxing’s dream matchup looking like it might never happen.
Fury vs Usyk is finally happening
WBC champion Fury will look to wrestle the WBA, WBO and IBF titles away from Usyk to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since British compatriot Lennox Lewis over two decades ago.
After months of failed negotiations between the camps earlier this year, Usyk instead beat Daniel Dubois while Fury opted for a crossover bout against Francis Ngannou.
That looked to be the final nail in the coffin for the pair facing off but, much to the delight of boxing fans around the world, Fury and Usyk will now look to top the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle as boxing’s biggest ever event.
Ahead of their clash, Usyk watched Fury get knocked down by Ngannou before taking a controversial split decision win over the MMA star.
They then met in the ring to confirm they will fight each other next before the Gypsy King’s camp forced organisers to push the bout back from December 23.
However, a new date is now confirmed and the rivals will finally meet in early 2024…
Fury vs Usyk: Date and how to follow
This undisputed heavyweight clash will take place on February 17.
The new date was confirmed at a press conference in the UK, where Fury and Usyk came face-to-face.
The huge bout will be held at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Start times and additional details are expected to be announced in due course.
The event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office – the new name for BT Sport – but pricing is yet to be revealed.
talkSPORT will have updates throughout fight week and talkSPORT.com will be running a live blog of all the action as well.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Fury spent the majority of the press conference insulting his opponentCredit: Top Rank
Fury had to be kept apart from Usyk after clashing heads with the UkrainianCredit: AFP
Fury vs Usyk: Undercard
More to follow…
- MAIN EVENT: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – for undisputed WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles
Fury vs Usyk: What has been said?
At the press conference, Fury launched into an astonishing rant aimed at his opponent.
He said: “I already relieved one Ukrainian [Wladimir Klitschko] of all the belts, and I’m going to relieve that idiot of the belts that I gave him! Including my Ring magazine that I vacated last year so I could win it back three times, sausage!
“You’re fighting the best British heavyweight there’s ever been, the f****** dauntless in these waters, me.
“You beat all the rest of them, but you ain’t beat Tyson Fury yet, sausage. Look at him, his heart’s pounding now, he’s like a little p****y with an earring in, s*******!
“His b******* have shrivelled up now they have, little sausage, a sissy with an earring in, you f****** p***y! Getting knocked spark out!”
Fury tore into Usyk, who simply watched on
Fury struggled against Ngannou’s power but landed enough jabs to claim a win and set up this undisputed fightCredit: Getty
After the press conference, Usyk was asked what he made of Fury’s comments and if he listened to them.
He said: “No.
“For me, it’s a lot of speak like a talking hat. Blah blah blah blah blah blah.”
Pressed further about Fury’s rant, Usyk revealed he thinks his opponent is feeling the pressure.
He said: “The man behaves like that when he is afraid and doesn’t feel comfortable or when he isn’t sure about anything.”
