Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are – pending a fight against an MMA star – full steam ahead to face off for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
The fight has been announced as signed before Fury steps through the ropes against Francis Ngannou this weekend, but that bout is seen as having little jeopardy for the undefeated Brit.
Should he come through as expected, both teams want to announce the four-belt clash for December 23. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, confirmed as much.
“Yeah. We have it on paper.”
It’s a rivalry that, according to Krassyuk, will play out twice. There have been reports of a two-way rematch clause – the promoter confirmed when asked and was adamant that whichever man loses would activate the second fight.
“Yes, exactly. I’ll tell you why – this fight has been cooking for so long, and the whole world wants to see those two guys. Normally, when you have, let’s say, Avatar movie, the sequel comes next.
Why? Because the first was boom, the second should be boom as well. We have this in mind that people want to watch it. That’s who we are working for – the fans. That’s why bringing two fights of that sort will be something extraordinary for boxing.”
“I don’t think March is something that looks realistic, but let’s say normally the rematch takes place within six, maybe nine months. We have not settled the time for the rematch because you cannot plan it. This fight on the 23rd is still subject to Saturday night.”
First up is Ngannou for Fury, who will do what he can do disrupt the historic plans. Usyk will be ringside to watch.