Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could usher in a brand new era of boxing with their rematch in Saudi Arabia this December.
The heavyweight duo made history this May when they finally unified the division for the first time in the four-belt era. And within days they had already signed up for a rematch which will take place on December 21.
Usyk won their first bout with a divisive split decision, and arguably could have had the stoppage in round nine as he dropped Fury and hit him with a flurry of big shots. But the Brit has activated the pair’s rematch clause and wants to go again as soon as possible.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch confirmed for December 21
This week, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh announced that Fury and Usyk would be returning to Saudi Arabia as part of the next Riyadh Season to continue their feud. The pair had signed a two-fight deal before their first meeting, but had to agree to terms for a second bout.
Negotiations were seemingly quick as the business tycoon quickly announced their new date. However, it is unclear if all of Usyk’s belts will be on the line as he waits on the status of his IBF title after a fight with Filip Hrgovic was ordered.
Usyk now holds the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles, as well as The Ring Magazine belt and the lesser recognised IBO title. He was also presented with a belt that officially indicates that he is undisputed which was provided by Saudi Arabian officials.
WBC chief confirms their belt will be on the line for Usyk vs Fury rematch
With a decision still to be made over Usyk’s IBF status as Hrgovic faces Daniel Dubois this weekend, fans have been interested to see what the other governing bodies are going to do. And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that they will be allowing their belt to be on the line.
“The WBC has been very open and vocal about this topic,” he told Casino Reviews. “The WBC ruled to accept the first fight and also the rematch which was the petition from the promoters.
“Certainly, Oleksandr Usyk is the WBC heavyweight champion and will be the champion when the rematch takes place. I am very happy and congratulate the IBF for making an interim championship [for Hrgovic v Dubois] and finding a way for Usyk to remain undisputed champion because that is only fair.
“I am very happy that the IBF understood the greatness of this matter and it is a win-win situation. There’s no downside to it.”
As for whether or not the WBC will install a mandatory for the first time since Dillian Whyte lost to Fury in April of 2022, Sulaiman said no decision has been made as yet. “We have our convention in December, the rematch is also in December so I will not speculate on this time,” he added.
“Our position is to have the great champions that are undisputed, and the great champions that are unified to do the best effort to keep that scenario for them. We will support as much as possible without putting obstacles in the middle.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch could feature new rule
After the controversy surrounding their initial split decision, the WBC will be pushing to have the local commission introduce three extra judges for the big fight. This would allow for a broader spectrum of potential scores for fights, and help to stop bad decisions from being made.
“Scoring is subject, it’s a complicated task but I believe a split decision win for Usyk is more than fair and acceptable,” Sulaiman said of the first fight. “Our position is to always have the best possibilities to avoid a controversy and that’s why we wanted six judges.
“I will campaign for the WBC fights to those who are eligible, and we are going to start doing it. it came down to the other organisations and the promoters not supporting the idea so we will do it as usual in the WBC fights.
“We have done a few in Mexico and will continue doing so in WBC fights and we will monitor it and see how things go.”