29 May 2024 , 09:48
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Tyson Fury will take on Oleksandr Usyk again on December 21.
Usyk beat Fury by split decision in Riyadh earlier this month to become undisputed world heavyweight champion with the Brit triggering his rematch clause last week. The second showdown had been due to take place in October but has now been pushed back until four days before Christmas.
The date was confirmed by Saudi Arabia's boxing chief Turki Alalshikh who said: "The rematch between the Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk and the Champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on December 21, 2024 during Riyadh Season.The world will watch another historical fight again. Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it."
Queensbury promoter Frank Warren, meanwhile, believes said the second bout between the two fighters will be better than their first classic. Speaking at the announcement of Queensbury’s Magnificent Seven card on July 20, Warren told the PA news agency: “I think it will be better than the original fight. They both know each other, they’ve shared the ring and they’ll be looking to use what they’ve gained from the fight as an advantage to beat their opponent.”
Usyk handed Fury his first professional defeat. Warren believes the ‘Gypsy King’ already has a legacy in boxing but a victory against Usyk, who has won all of his 22 fights would further cement it. “I think his legacy is there,” he said. “Of course, he wants to win and he’s got to win. He’s only asking for the rematch because he thinks he can win. He believes in himself and it would cement his legacy.
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"Everyone out there thinks Usyk is the best out there so let’s see what Tyson does. He rang me and he said he wants the rematch so here we are.” Warren, who signed Fury ahead of his comeback in 2018, predicts his fighter to get the job done second time around.
When asked why Fury would win the rematch, Warren said: "He’s a fighting man, it’s what he brings to the ring. He’s been caught a couple of times in his last couple of fights but he gets up and shows what he’s made of. “I don’t want to see that happen. But like Usyk, he’s very similar, they’re very cute guys who know their boxing and I have confidence in Tyson. “That fight has taken a lot out of both of them so we will see."