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Tyson Fury And Oleksandr Usyk Send New Threats As Rematch Date Edges Closer

Written by Tom Eaton on 10th September 2024.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Just months after their legendary undisputed title showdown, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are chomping at the bit to go toe-to-toe once again and have begun exchanging words on social media as the clock ticks down ahead of their fascinating rematch.

Fury and Usyk met in the first undisputed heavyweight title bout of the century earlier this year and an instant classic ensued. At the halfway point, it seemed as though the size and awkwardness of the 6’9” ‘Gypsy King’ was a step too far for the former cruiserweight conqueror and that all four world titles would be headed back to Old Blighty in the hands of Tyson Fury.

However, as we have seen from the Ukrainian technician on countless occasions, Usyk was able to press the accelerator in the latter stages of the contest and almost halted the Briton in the ninth, before banking the final rounds to snatch the belts from under Fury’s nose and claim a famous split-decision win, putting an end to Fury’s 35-fight undefeated record.

Almost instantaneously, Fury utilised his option to trigger a rematch clause for the contest and Saudi catalyst Turki Al-Alshikh quickly pencilled in their second encounter in Riyadh for a December dust-up. Although, this time around, the undisputed throne will not be on the line.

Instead, Usyk was forced to vacate his IBF crown shortly after the Fury win with Daniel Dubois assuming position as IBF world champion after being upgraded from interim title-holder – a mantle earnt by knocking out Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic in June.

Still, with three belts on the line, the prospect of another meeting between two of the greatest heavyweights of this generation is one that is sure to captivate fans around the globe once again and the remarkable pre-fight build-up that has become expected of Al-Alshikh’s cards is likely to be as impressive as ever.

Yet, the pair needed no fancy promo, script or manufactured storyline to kick off pre-fight proceedings, as Oleksandr Usyk initiated the first back-and-forth ahead of their second scrap, simply asking his rival if he was ready in an Instagram post.

“My friend, Tyson Fury. I’m ready for 23rd December. Are you ready?”

Meanwhile, Fury offered a more provocative response, informing the only fighter to have defeated him that he will be ‘smashed up’ on December 23rd.

“On the 23rd December you will still be smashed up, kid. The question is are you?”

Despite what Usyk and Fury state, their second fight will take place on December 21st, with December 23rdconfusingly being the date that their original bout was scheduled for.

As for the undercard, further details are expected to be revealed during the aftermath of Artur Beterbiev’s undisputed light-heavyweight showdown against Dmitry Bivol on October 12th.

However, one clash that is being rumoured is a heavyweight affair between rising contender Martin Bakole and ageing Chinese knockout-artist Zhilei Zhang – with the victor expected to get a shot at world honours during 2025.

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