In the wake of one of the most anticipated heavyweight clashes in recent history, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is already setting the stage for a rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The initial encounter, which took place in Saudi Arabia, ended with Usyk narrowly defeating Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

The fight, which saw Usyk nearly stop Fury in an electrifying ninth round, concluded with the judges scoring it closely, two in favor of Usyk and one for Fury. Despite Fury’s perceived dominance in the earlier rounds, Usyk’s strategic prowess in the later stages was enough to tip the scales in his favor. This decision has sparked a mixture of controversy and admiration from fans and analysts alike.

Bob Arum, who was present at the fight, shared his perspective with Sky Sports, noting that he scored the fight seven rounds to five in favor of Fury. “I had Fury winning by one point, as did one of the judges,” Arum explained. His account reflects a belief that Fury did enough to secure the victory, setting the foundation for a compelling case for an immediate rematch.

The potential rematch, Arum suggests, could take place towards the end of the year, ideally in November or December. He reasons that a rematch any sooner would be impractical due to the fighters’ need for recovery after a year of training and the recent intense fight. Moreover, Arum highlighted that contractual agreements and the financial magnitude of such a fight make Saudi Arabia the most viable location for the rematch.

The stakes for the rematch would be immense, not only for the fighters but for the entire heavyweight division. Anthony Joshua, another key figure in the heavyweight scene, might await the winner, adding another layer of intrigue and strategic planning.

As the boxing world buzzes with anticipation, the questions now revolve around whether Fury can adjust his strategy to reclaim victory or if Usyk will once again demonstrate his championship mettle. Fans are eager to see if the rematch will materialize in the speculated timeframe and if it can live up to the thrilling spectacle of their first encounter.