Tyson Fury has officially activated his rematch clause for a second bout against undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The highly anticipated fight is expected to take place either late this year or early 2025.
In an interview with talkSPORT Boxing, Fury's promoter, Bob Arum, confirmed the news:
“That fight will take place either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year in Riyadh.”
Arum also revealed that Fury would still face Anthony Joshua regardless of the rematch outcome with Usyk. The potential for a Fury-Joshua bout remains strong due to Fury's significant popularity and marketability, especially in the UK. Even with potential consecutive defeats to Usyk, Fury's status as an icon in British boxing ensures that a match with Joshua will still attract considerable attention and revenue.
In the United States, Fury's appeal is not as strong. He is viewed more as an average heavyweight with declining skills, but his ability to sell a fight with his charismatic personality and trash-talking remains his key asset. Despite the skepticism surrounding his chances against Usyk in the rematch, Fury's star power continues to draw interest.
Few boxing fans believe Fury can defeat Usyk in the rematch unless there is some controversial scoring involved. Usyk's performance in the first fight, particularly his ninth-round combination punching, exposed Fury's vulnerabilities. In the rematch, Usyk is expected to aim for a knockout to avoid any chance of a questionable decision. The bizarre standing eight count in their first bout, which many saw as favoring Fury, cast a shadow over the fight's integrity.
The rematch between Fury and Usyk promises to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry, with Usyk likely focusing on a decisive victory to cement his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
So, do you think Fury can redeem himself, or Usyk will once again prove to be his kryptonite? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Image Credit:X