Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
It has now been confirmed by both combatants, that WBC and Lineal heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury will challenge WBO/WBA/IBF/IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk in a superfight showdown to determine the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
The fight will be staged at the Kingdom Arena as part of this Riyadh Season and will be presented to sports fans around the world by The General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia.
Official date of the fight and purse split percentages were not disclosed. The event will be promoted by Queensberry Promotions, Top Rank, K2 and Usyk17.
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of The General Entertainment Authority and Head of Riyadh Season, made a statement: “This is the fight that everyone has wanted to see for some time and now it is finally happening – the world’s two heavyweight champions going into the ring against one another. It is the biggest fight in boxing, the world will be watching, and we are so proud to be the hosts for this spectacle as part of the fourth edition of our Riyadh Season celebrations. We want to play our part and match the huge anticipation surrounding this fight by putting on the greatest fight experience for every visitor to Riyadh.”
So did Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions: “Delighted to finally get this fight signed. This is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in our sport. The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century. I look forward to Tyson reclaiming the three belts that he never lost in the ring. Huge thanks to His Excellency and the GEA.”
Bob Arum of Top Rank: “Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are the two greatest heavyweights of their generation, and I can’t wait to see what happens when they step into the ring in Riyadh. They are special talents worthy of competing for the greatest prize in sports. I would like to thank His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and everyone involved in helping make this legendary night a reality.”
Alex Krassyuk of K2: “I can’t believe that it’s happening but it is. Difficult to express my admiration for being part of the biggest heavyweight fight of the century. Gratitude to the KSA and his excellency Turki Al-Sheikh for making it happen, respect to Tyson for his courage and thank the Lord for all he gives us.”
For the skeptics who distrust Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) based on his previous phony negotiations and false announcements about fighting Usyk and Anthony Joshua, there is ample reason for doubt and also possible escape hatches for Fury to once again cancel the fight. Fury could suffer an injury – or fake an injury – in his October 28th fight with Francis Ngannou Riyadh. Promoters said today no date for Usyk vs Fury will be announced until after October 28th.
Also another roadblock could be that the WBA may support Daniel Dubois and Warren’s appeal from the Usyk win vs Dubois and it could force a Usyk-Dubois rematch. Warren said the appeal by Team Dubois is still ongoing. Also very possible is Warren already knows (or has secretly manipulated) the WBA is going to order the rematch and today’s big announcement of Usyk vs. Fury is just another giant publicity stunt to rebuild Fury’s image and value which endured massive damage due to his erratic behavior and constant mixed messages back and forth about fighting and then insisting he will never fight Joshua or Usyk.
So you have to wonder why Fury has suddenly changed his position and now wants to fight Usyk after all the public statements that he would never fight Usyk or Joshua.
But the news today is that once again Fury is claiming (or feinting again) that he will fight Usyk finally, on December 23 or January.
