Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury climb into the ring once again in Saudi Arabia this weekend in what is an early Christmas present for fight fans.
The two rivals first met seven months ago in Riyadh, with Usyk narrowly beating Fury by split decision. It was a historic night for Usyk, who became the modern era's first four-belt heavyweight champion – to go with his four-belt cruiserweight run and Olympic gold medal – making him one of the most decorated fighters of all time.
Can Fury avenge his only professional loss or will Usyk's incredible winning streak continue? Everything you need to know about the WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight world title fight is below.
What is it?
“Reignited” is a boxing event headlined by the unified world title rematch between heavyweight champion Usyk and former WBC and lineal champion Fury.
The last time they met the fight was a modern classic with lots of changes in momentum and Usyk almost knocking Fury out in the ninth round. Usyk became the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Before the main event, there will be five supporting fights, including exciting heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma.
Where is it?
The event will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s a venue that has become the home of big-time Saudi boxing clashes, such as Anthony Joshua's victorious bouts against Otto Wallin in December last year and Francis Ngannou in March.
When is it?
The event, called “Reignited”, takes place on Saturday, December 21, with the fights starting at 10pm UAE time.
Who is fighting?
The event is headlined by arguably still the two best heavyweights on the planet. Fury was the reigning two-time world and lineal champion but suffered the first defeat of his 35-fight professional career when losing to Usyk in May. After becoming a unified champion with a career-defining win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, Fury struggled with mental health and substance abuse problems and was out of the ring for three years.
He returned to once again rule the division with successive knockout wins over long-reigning WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2020 and 2021 after their first fight ended in a controversial draw. The 36-year-old Briton then reeled off three more victories, although he narrowly escaped embarrassment with a split-decision win over MMA star and boxing novice Francis Ngannou last October.
Usyk has a perfect record from his 22 professional fights. The 37-year-old Ukrainian first made a name for himself at cruiserweight where he became the undisputed champion and arguably the finest fighter in the division's history.
On making the step up to heavyweight and after a couple of adjustment fights, Usyk challenged Anthony Joshua for the unified world titles in 2021 and duly outclassed the champion. He retained his titles in a rematch 11 months later in Jeddah, albeit in a much closer fight that ended in a split decision.
Usyk, who had one more successful title defence against Daniel Dubois last August, became the first four-belt undisputed champion of both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He is also only the third male fighter to hold all four world titles in two weight classes after American Terence Crawford and Japan's Naoya Inoue.
Who is on the undercard?
By Riyadh Season’s incredible standards, this undercard is a little underwhelming.
Israil Madrimov was meant to fight Serhii Bohachuk but will now face Vergil Ortiz on the stacked February 22 card. Ishmael Davis has stepped in as a late replacement.
Dennis McCann has failed a doping test so will no longer fight Peter McGrail for the European super-bantamweight title in a further blow to the undercard.
The full card
Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 – WBC, WBO & WBA heavyweight titles
Serhii Bohachuk v Ishmael Davis – light-middleweight
Moses Itauma v Demsey McKean – heavyweight
Johnny Fisher v Dave Allen – heavyweight
TBA v Peter McGrail – European super-bantamweight title*
Isaac Lowe v Lee McGregor – featherweight
*Original opponent Dennis McCann failed a doping test
What time will the show start?
The broadcast will start at 10pm UAE.
What time will Usyk v Fury 2 start?
Fury and Usyk are expected to make their ring walks at about 2am UAE time on Sunday morning. Depending on the length of the preceding fights, it could be a little later.
What is the fight week schedule?
Tuesday, December 17 – grand arrivals from 10pm UAE
Wednesday, December 18 – open workout from 10pm UAE
Thursday, December 19 – news conference from 8pm UAE
Friday, December 20 – weigh-in from 8pm UAE
How to watch the fight in the UAE?
The fight is available to watch in the UAE on Dazn.
