Fury Finally Faces Usyk For Undisputed Heavyweight Legacy
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will finally collide this weekend in a battle to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
The two world heavyweight champions have been on a long-awaited collision course, with their original date having been previously postponed due to Fury sustaining a cut in sparring.
May 18th. Boxing will soon have an undisputed heavyweight ruler 👑 #FuryUsyk | #RiyadhSeason | #RingOfFire pic.twitter.com/BMyPdT4YZS
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) May 8, 2024
But the rescheduled showdown is here and both undefeated fighters are fit and ready to square-off in the ring for another spectacle event in Saudi Arabia.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the anticipated undisputed clash between rivals Fury and Usyk.
FURY VS USYK FIGHT DETAILS
Fight: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
Titles: Undisputed heavyweight titles
Date: Saturday, May 18th
Main Event Time: Approx. 6pm ET
Live On: TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV
Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Undercard:
Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis
Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab
Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar
Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mezencev
Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi
David Nyika vs Michael Seitz
Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez
FURY VS USYK FIGHT PREVIEW
It’s finally here. Doubts had been cast over the likelihood of Fury and Usyk actually facing off in the ring after so much delay.
But, following fears from fans it would never happen, both men will meet for the right to be crowned undisputed heavyweight ruler.
Lennox Lewis remains the last fighter to hold that honour, when he overcame fellow great Evander Holyfield in their Las Vegas rematch before the turn of the Millenium.
Now, almost a quarter of a century on, Fury and Usyk look to cement their legacies by becoming the latest conqueror of the heavyweight division.
👑 Only two fighters have ever won the lineal world heavyweight title despite being outweighed by 50lbs+
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) May 14, 2024
✅ Jack Dempsey
✅ Max Baer
🔥 Both inflicted two of the most savage beatings on Jess Willard & Primo Carnera respectively
👀 Could Oleksandr Usyk join that list? #FuryUsyk pic.twitter.com/FniRBqwI85
It’s a fight for the ages and one that arrives at a time when boxing is seemingly enjoying a new golden age, with the biggest and best fights coming to fruition regularly across every division.
“I respect him, as a man, as a fighter,” stated Fury in the build-up to finally facing off with Usyk.
“Everyone has to respect the man’s achievements. Good fighter – I have a tough challenge in front of me. But I’m very confident in my ability and I’m very confident I’ll beat the guy.”
While Fury has been typically boisterous in the lead up, Usyk has remained calm and composed ahead of the fight he has craved for so long.
"I will speak in the ring,” he stated. “Every time Tyson Fury speaks a lot. For me it doesn’t matter.”
It was confirmed that there will be a rematch next between the pair, regardless of the eventual outcome in Saudi Arabia.
But whoever has their hand raised this weekend will secure their legacy as the greatest heavyweight of this era and end boxing’s wait for an undisputed king of the division.
Header image: Getty