Oleksandr Usyk has touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a spectator for Tyson Fury’s latest effort in the ring.
The Ukrainian currently holds three of the four heavyweight titles, and has no goal left in the sport of boxing other than adding the Brit’s WBC strap to his collection.
Fans were delighted to hear that the pair have signed to fight with a date of December 23 pencilled in assuming Fury comes through his crossover bout with Francis Ngannou unscathed.
There was a chance of an injury before he made it to fight night with Usyk on the scene, though. The Ukrainian picked the 277lbs Fury up when he saw him, apparently delighted that they would finally fight.
Warm embrace.. for now ?@Tyson_Fury and @Usykaa cross paths in Saudi Arabia, with Usyk lifting Fury off the floor with a hug ?
Will we see this clash on Dec. 23rd? ?#TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #FuryUsyk #Boxing pic.twitter.com/EuUfotxyIE
— Boxing Social (@boxing_social) October 27, 2023
It was all very jovial, perhaps both thinking of the mega-money they are set to earn.
Usyk will be ringside on Saturday to watch the crossover show, and he’ll be hoping for his number one rival to win and win quickly, getting rid of any chance an injury or cut preventing their own contest.
Expect him to enter the ring in the aftermath, when the December date should either be solidified or pushed back.
The Ukrainian – who won his titles from Anthony Joshua after being four-belt champion down at cruiserweight – has started his training camp in Spain.
In just eight weeks time, there’s a real chance that he or Fury becomes the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis over two decades ago. Given the spectacle, ‘The Lion’ is there this weekend, too.
Fury-Ngannou will be available to UK viewers on TNT Sports Box Office at a price point of £21.95, and $79.99 across the pond on ESPN+ PPV.
