Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shake hands after the heavyweight fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shake hands after the heavyweight fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shake hands after the heavyweight fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk shake hands after the heavyweight fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk date to be announced on Thursday: Bob Arum


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

A press conference to announce a date for the most anticipated heavyweight showdown – to be held in Saudi Arabia – in years will be held on Thursday.

Tyson Fury's undisputed world heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk is set to be revealed on Thursday, said Bob Arum, chief executive at Fury’s American promoter Top Rank.

WBC champion Fury had been expected to clash with WBA, IBF and WBO belt-holder Usyk on December 23, but injuries sustained by the British boxer in last month's contentious points victory over Francis Ngannou altered those plans.

That fight was expected to be the preamble to the announcement of Fury taking on Usyk. The two did come face-to-face in the ring in Saudi Arabia after the fight, but the expected cakewalk against Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion making his pro boxing debut, never materialised.

Fury was knocked to the canvas in Round 2 and sported a swollen eye and cut on the forehead after the fight. While December 23 is too soon for Fury to recover, Arum told Sky Sports that the "Gypsy King" will be ready to return to the ring in February.

“I can confirm they will fight each other in Saudi Arabia," Arum said.

“There will be a press conference in London for Thursday of this week – the 16th – and they’ll confirm the date and all the other circumstances of the fight taking place.

“Tyson is ready to fight in February, if that’s when it happens. Remember going in with Ngannou, who showed himself to be very talented, nobody had a book on him because he had never had a prize fight.

“Fighting Usyk is totally different because they have reams and reams of film on Usyk. So, I think Tyson will be a lot better prepared against Usyk than he was against Ngannou.

“I have great confidence in Tyson Fury.

“I really believe Fury against Usyk will be a classic match.”

  • Tyson Fury throws a jab during his heavyweight boxing fight against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on October 29, 2023. AFP
    Tyson Fury throws a jab during his heavyweight boxing fight against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on October 29, 2023. AFP
  • Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight boxing match in Riyadh. AFP
    Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight boxing match in Riyadh. AFP
  • Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou exchange punches during their fight in Riyadh. AFP
    Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou exchange punches during their fight in Riyadh. AFP
  • Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in action during their fight in Riyadh. Reuters
    Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in action during their fight in Riyadh. Reuters
  • Tyson Fury throws a right cross during his fight against Francis Ngannou. Reuters
    Tyson Fury throws a right cross during his fight against Francis Ngannou. Reuters
  • Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Furyin the third round of their bout in Riyadh. Getty
    Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Furyin the third round of their bout in Riyadh. Getty
  • Tyson Fury hits the canvas after being knocked down by and Francis Ngannou. Getty
    Tyson Fury hits the canvas after being knocked down by and Francis Ngannou. Getty
  • Tyson Fury celebrates with his WBC belt after beating Francis Ngannou via split decision. Getty
    Tyson Fury celebrates with his WBC belt after beating Francis Ngannou via split decision. Getty
  • Francis Ngannou takes in the applause from the crowd after his fight with Tyson Fury. Getty
    Francis Ngannou takes in the applause from the crowd after his fight with Tyson Fury. Getty
  • Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off in the ring after Fury's win over Francis Ngannou. Getty
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off in the ring after Fury's win over Francis Ngannou. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo watches the fight from ringside. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo watches the fight from ringside. Getty
  • Sadio Mane looks on from ringside prior to the heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty
    Sadio Mane looks on from ringside prior to the heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty
  • Conor McGregor poses for a photo from ringside. Getty
    Conor McGregor poses for a photo from ringside. Getty
  • Rio Ferdinand looks on from ringside prior to the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty
    Rio Ferdinand looks on from ringside prior to the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty
  • The ring is raised up prior to the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty
    The ring is raised up prior to the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Getty

The long-awaited on-off fight would crown the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the first of the four-belt era.

Both fighters will put their unbeaten records on the line, with 35-year-old Fury winning 34 of his 35 pro bouts with one draw against Deontay Wilder.

Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, has won all 21 of his bouts.

The Ukrainian, 36, was last in action in August, recording a controversial stoppage over Britain's Daniel Dubois.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

Bawaal%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nitesh%20Tiwari%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Varun%20Dhawan%2C%20Janhvi%20Kapoor%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Brief scores:

Liverpool 3

Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'

Manchester United 1

Lingard 33'

Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

While you're here
Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.

Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.

The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Men's football draw

Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica

Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea

Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA

Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Arabian Gulf League fixtures:

Friday:

  • Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
  • Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
  • Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm

Saturday:

  • Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
  • Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
  • Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out  ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

Company profile

Name: GiftBag.ae

Based: Dubai

Founded: 2011

Number of employees: 4

Sector: E-commerce

Funding: Self-funded to date

THE%20FLASH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Andy%20Muschietti%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sasha%20Calle%2C%20Ben%20Affleck%2C%20Ezra%20Miller%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scoreline

Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')

Bournemouth 0

Updated: November 15, 2023, 8:45 AM