Oleksandr Usyk to Defend Heavyweight Title Against Tyson Fury in Rematch on December 21
In a highly anticipated announcement, Oleksandr Usyk will defend his heavyweight boxing championship in a rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This announcement was made by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, on Wednesday. The planned rematch was initially scheduled for October 12 but has been rescheduled to the new date.
#### A Historic Clash
Turki Alalshikh expressed his excitement for the upcoming fight, stating, “The world will watch another historical fight again. … Our commitment to boxing fans continues. …We hope you enjoy it.” This statement underscores the significance of the rematch, which promises to be a momentous event in the boxing world.
#### Usyk’s Recent Triumph
Usyk recently took Fury’s WBC belt earlier this month, knocking him down in the ninth round. With a split-decision victory, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion, the first to hold this title in over 25 years since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The judges’ scores were 114-113 and 115-112 in favor of Usyk, with one judge scoring 114-113 for Fury.
Despite the decision, Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) remained confident that he had won the fight. “You know his country’s at war, so people are siding for the country at war,’’ Fury commented about Usyk, who is from Ukraine. “Make no mistake, I won that fight, and I’ll be back.’’
The Road Ahead
The 37-year-old Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) now holds the WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBC titles and is also the lineal heavyweight champion. However, whether Usyk will retain all these belts by December is uncertain. The International Boxing Federation has stated that the winner could be stripped of the title if they do not face mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.
#### Upcoming Contenders
Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) is set to face Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) on Saturday in Riyadh, adding another layer of excitement to the heavyweight division. This fight could potentially influence the status of the titles Usyk holds.
### Conclusion
The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21 is shaping up to be a historic event in the world of boxing. With both fighters eager to prove themselves, fans can expect an electrifying bout that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the sport. As the date approaches, the anticipation continues to build, promising a showdown that boxing enthusiasts won’t want to miss.
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*Stay tuned for more updates and detailed coverage of this highly anticipated rematch and other major events in the boxing world.*
