Sport

Tyson Fury to fight Oleksandr Usyk in ‘biggest heavyweight fight of the century’

Winner of the bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's Tyson Fury: decision to stage the contest in Saudi Arabia is likely to spark criticism. Photographs: Giuseppe Cacace, Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

Fri Sep 29 2023 - 18:24

Tyson Fury is set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia.

Promoter Frank Warren said on Friday afternoon that a deal for the blockbuster bout has finally been agreed.

However, the date of the contest, which will take place in Riyadh, has not been announced.

“Delighted to finally get this fight signed,” said Warren, owner of Queensberry Promotions. “This is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in our sport.

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“The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century.”

Fury, 35, is due to fight in Riyadh against former UFC world heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on October 28th. His WBC belt will not be on the line.

Last month Usyk, 36, maintained his unbeaten record with a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in Poland.

The Ukrainian put down Londoner Dubois in the ninth round to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts.

The winner of the bout between Fury and Usyk will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

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Fury is undefeated in 34 bouts since he turned professional in 2008, while Usyk has won all 21 of his fights.

Lennox Lewis is the last recognised undisputed champion in the division nearly a quarter of a century ago.

“I can’t believe that it’s happening but it is,” said Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk.

“Difficult to express my admiration for being part of the biggest heavyweight fight of the century. Respect to Tyson for his courage.”

Fury’s proposed fight with Usyk at Wembley in April fell through earlier this year, and the decision to stage the contest in Saudi Arabia is likely to spark criticism given the country’s poor human rights record.

Anthony Joshua fell to his second defeat against Usyk in Jeddah last year.

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