World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title holder Britain’s Tyson Fury reacts throughout his weigh-in on the Wembley Stadium, in London, on April 22, 2022 on the eve of his struggle towards Dillian Whyte. (AFP)
LONDON – Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will conflict in a “historic” struggle for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on February 17.
British star Fury will put his WBC belt on the road, with the WBA, IBF and WBO titles held by Ukraine’s Usyk additionally up for grabs in Riyadh.
The winner will probably be topped the heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis from 1999 to 2000.
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 36, had been initially anticipated to conflict on December 23.
However Fury’s disappointing efficiency in a split-decision victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou final month compelled a delay to the hotly-anticipated bout.
He was left with a swollen eye and reduce on the brow after the contentious win towards Ngannou.
Fury had already been criticized for failing to agree a cope with Usyk when a proposed assembly at Wembley in April couldn’t be confirmed.
The pair will lastly step into the ring in 2024 as Fury appears so as to add to his report of 34 wins with one draw since turning skilled in 2008.
“It is a historic occasion. The entire world of boxing has been ready for a lot of, a few years, they usually now have this struggle,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren advised reporters at a press convention in London on Thursday.
“For the primary time this century, we may have an undisputed heavyweight champion.
“As a promoter I’ve been banging my head towards the wall. However now we have now the creme de la creme. These two undefeated heavyweight fighters.”
‘Cement my legacy’
In usually combative temper on the press convention, Fury referenced his 2015 victory over Usyk’s fellow Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, which earned him the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
“I already relieved one Ukrainian of all of the belts, and now I’m going to take all of them again,” Fury stated.
“Usyk’s a champion, I’m a champion. It’s going to be a struggle for the ages.”
Fury believes a victory over Usyk would cement his standing as one of many all-time greats.
“He’s boxer, slick. However I’ve seen individuals like him earlier than, and after they struggle the massive man, they lose,” he stated.
“I imagine we’re each destined to be right here. I’m destined to turn into the undisputed champion, and greater than that, cement my legacy.”
Usyk stored his cool amid Fury’s insults, which included taking swipes at his opponent’s peak and his ear-ring.
“Sure I’m just a little man. I’ll converse within the ring,” Usyk stated.
Fury has held the WBC belt since he defeated Deontay Wilder in 2020 and has defended the title 3 times.
He stopped Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022 and beat Derek Chisora on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium eight months later.
Usyk, who has received all 21 of his fights, has been the WBA, IBF and WBO title holder since defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021.
The Ukrainian has defended his titles twice, defeating Joshua by break up determination in Saudi Arabia final yr and knocking out Daniel Dubois in August.
Saudi Arabia has staged a number of main boxing occasions in recent times, together with Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua in 2022.
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The Gulf State has been accused of utilizing sport to enhance its worldwide status after widespread criticism for its human rights report.