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Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk II undercard receives mixed reaction

Written by Tom Eaton on 9th October 2024.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Turki Al-Alshikh has gained a reputation for delivering fans with star-studded undercards as well as salivating main-events since his plunge into the world of boxing last year. Just two months out from Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s intriguing rematch, the card has been announced in full, although Al-Alshikh has not necessarily been given the reaction he would have hoped for.

Usyk and Fury went to war in an instant classic earlier this year that crowned the Ukrainian as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era, cementing his legacy as a generational talent whilst handing Fury a first career defeat.

Although, Fury had success of his own during their much-lauded match-up and will have enough confidence remaining from the split-decision defeat to believe that he can trump Usyk this time around.

As a result, hype for the rematch is now picking up momentum and fans hope that the main event will prove to be equally as memorable, even if some believe that the undercard will not be.

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On that undercard, Serhii Bohachuk will collide with Israil Madrimov in a super-welterweight showdown after both men impressed in their last outings despite suffering defeats, losing out to Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Terence Crawford respectively and respectably.

Meanwhile, rising British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma takes a significant jump up in opposition as he faces off with Australia’s Demsey McKean, who will hope to bounce back from the first loss of his 23-fight career.

Two further British heavyweights will meet as fan-favourite Johnny Fisher returns following an impressive first-round stoppage of Alen Babic, he takes on a similarly popular Brit in the form of Dave Allen, who Usyk has used as a sparring partner in the past.

Additionally, Dennis McCann and Peter McGrail will each hope of progressing towards a super-bantamweight world title shot in an evenly matched affair, whilst Isaac Lowe and Lee McGregor round off the card in a featherweight contest.

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On social media, fans claimed that they were ‘underwhelmed’ by the undercard on offer for such a blockbuster event. However, British boxing manager Sam Jones defended the bill and claimed that every fight is worthy of being a main event in it’s own right.

“Every fight on the undercard is a headline fight.”

“Bohachuck v madrimov is an absolute war headline fight

“Fisher Allen is a headline fight at the copperbox fact

“Ituama stepping up to face McKean is a great fight

“Mcann mcgrial is one of the best fights you can make in British boxing

“McGregor Lowe is also a brilliant fight.

“Oh and main event isn’t bad either.

“How anyone can moan at this is absolutely baffling. Come on guys in what world would a card like this ever be taking place.”

Whilst a superstar draw may be missing from the undercard, each bout appears to be a well matched one, begging the question as to whether Al-Alshikh has raised expectations to a point where fans will never be satisfied.

Regardless, the event can be expected to do a heap of pay-per-view sales due to the strength of the main attraction, as Fury and Usyk gear up for a second historic brawl on December 21st, with a unique incentive added this time around.

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