The rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been confirmed.
Usyk won with via split decision when the rivals met earlier this month, which makes him becom the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
The Fury-Usyk contract, which included a well-publicized rematch clause, stipulated both fighters agreed to a second bout on December 21.
Initially, October and November were considered for the rematch, but Saudi boxing chief H.E. Turki Alalshikh has now confirmed that the fight will take place just before Christmas.
He said:
“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…”
Usyk and Fury suffered facial punishment during the war, so a December date will give the pair significant time to recover.
It is unclear if the undisputed titles will be on the line, with Usyk currently waiting to discover if he will be forced to vacate his IBF title.
Read Also: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk Full Video Highlights
The undisputed champion elect has filed for an ‘exception’ to keep the strap, which was anticipated to be on the line for Filip Hrgovic’s clash with Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua was also targeting a shot at the belt, but he will now be hoping to face the winner in 2025 after his planned September appearance.
Tyson Fury promoter Frank Warren revealed that revenge was already on the Briton’s mind just the week after his devastating defeat.
Warren:
“Immediately after, he said ‘I want the rematch’. When we got out the ring, before we did the press conference, I just said to him, look, ‘the rematch is signed’.
“It was signed before the fight. It was part of the contract.
So just think about it. Go back to your family. You’ve got plenty of time. No rush to say anything.
“That’s how it was, so at the press conference, that’s what he said.
On the Monday, I spoke to him, we both got back and I rang him up to see how he is: ‘How are you, champ? It was a great fight.’
“He said, ‘I want a rematch. Get it. I’m going.
The rematch is on. It’s on. That’s it. That’s what I want.’
“That’s Tyson Fury. He’s a fighter. He said, ‘I know I can beat him. I’ll beat him next time.’
