The stage is set for a monumental showdown as Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) defends his heavyweight crowns against former champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) on December 21st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This highly anticipated rematch follows Usyk’s narrow split-decision victory in May, which crowned him the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
A Look Back: Usyk’s Historic Victory
In their first encounter, Usyk outboxed Fury over 12 rounds, earning the nod with scores of 115-112, 113-114, 114-113. The pivotal moment came in the ninth round when Usyk, nicknamed “The Cat,” delivered a knockdown that swayed the judges in his favor. According to CompuBox, Usyk landed 41.8% (170/407) of his punches compared to Fury’s 31.7% (157/496).
While Usyk added Fury’s WBC title to his WBA, WBO, and IBF belts to unify the division, he later vacated the IBF belt, which is now held by Britain’s Daniel Dubois.
Rematch Details
- Date: Saturday, December 21st, 2024
- Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Start Time: 19:00 GMT (Main Event Ringwalks at 23:00 GMT)
Undercard Highlights
The rematch is part of a stacked card featuring several exciting bouts:
- Serhii Bohachuk vs. Israil Madrimov (Light Middleweight)
- Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean (Heavyweight)
- Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen (Heavyweight)
- Dennis McCann vs. Peter McGrail (European Super Bantamweight Title)
- Isaac Lowe vs. Lee McGregor (Featherweight)
What the Fighters Are Saying
Tyson Fury has exuded confidence, promising a knockout:
“My rematches with people, I always end up knocking them out, so I’m envisaging something similar against Usyk.”
Fury has also teased the possibility of a trilogy should he emerge victorious:
“If he wins one and I win one, there has to be a third one.”
In contrast, Usyk has remained reserved yet resolute:
“I don’t have motivation, only my regime and my concentration. This is my motivation.”
What’s at Stake?
For Fury, the rematch represents an opportunity to reclaim his titles and solidify his legacy after suffering the first loss of his career. Meanwhile, Usyk aims to cement his place as one of the greatest heavyweights in history.
With the sport’s biggest names and belts on the line, fans are eager for another unforgettable chapter in heavyweight boxing history. Will Fury’s promise of a knockout come true, or will Usyk’s tactical brilliance prevail once again? All eyes turn to Riyadh on December 21st.
