Less than two weeks after their epic battle, the rematch date has been revealed for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, but it will be later than people may have thought.
Fury and Usyk met in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in 25 years, with Usyk coming out on top to hold the IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC titles and become the sole ruler of the division.
It was a superb contest that saw Usyk nearly earn the stoppage win in round nine, but in the end he had to settle for a split decision victory, and attention immediately turned to when their rematch would be.
Initially it was expected that the pair would meet again in October, but Saudi chief Turki Al-Alshikh has now revealed that it will take place on December 21.
“The rematch between the Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk and the Champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on the 21 of December 2024 during Riyadh Season.
“The world will watch another historical fight again…Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”
It was expected that Usyk would be immediately stripped of his IBF title, and it placed on the line for the fight between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois, which takes place this Saturday on the Matchroom vs. Queensberry 5 on 5 event.
With that now appearing to no longer be the case, it could mean that the belt is still around the waist of Usyk by the time the rematch occurs, meaning Fury could get another chance to become undisputed champion.
A more likelier outcome is that the belt will become vacant later this summer, ahead of Anthony Joshua potentially challenging for it against the Hrgovic vs. Dubois winner, with that fight expected for Wembley Stadium in September.
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