Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: when is the fight, how to watch and the undercard line-up

The sport of boxing will finally have a heavyweight champion without dispute by early 2024. This comes after both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have come to a mutual agreement to face each other in a match being held in Saudi Arabia.

Fury is the current holder of the WBC championship, a title he earned in 2020 after defeating Deontay Wilder. Since then, he has managed to successfully defend his title on three occasions - against Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and most recently, Derek Chisora.

Since his victory over Anthony Joshua in 2021, Usyk has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, holding the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. He has successfully defended his titles two more times, facing off against Joshua again and Daniel Dubois.

Neither Fury nor Usyk have ever lost a professional boxing match.

Boxing has had a unified and undisputed heavyweight champion only once in the year 2000. Lennox Lewis was the last person to hold all four titles at the same time.

Fury Vs. Usyk: When's The Fight?

The fight is set to take place on Saturday, the 17th of February, 2024.

"Venue For The Fight?"

The fight is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, which serves as the main city of Saudi Arabia.

How To Watch It In The UK?

The information regarding the TV broadcast hasn't been disclosed yet, however, the fight will definitely be available via pay-per-view. Most likely, people will have to pay over £20 to watch it.

Undercard Line-up: Who's Included?

Once more, specific information has not yet been disclosed.

Saudi Arabia Moves Heavyweights On The Dance Floor

When Fury and Usyk enter the boxing arena, it will determine the current phase of heavyweight boxing. It will be the most crucial event in the sport without a doubt.

When two strong contenders face off in their prime, it's a powerful reminder of the immense value of being recognized as the undisputed champion in the heavyweight division. This coveted title is not only emblematic of accomplishment in sports, but also holds symbolic significance for broader cultural contexts. A thriving heavyweight boxing scene is crucial for the overall success of the sport as a whole.

The Fury-Usyk fight serves as a crucial reminder for fans of the sport that boxing’s topmost level still exists, despite the rise of YouTubers and social media influencers holding fights. Although these spectacles generate significant revenue, they disappoint traditional followers and boxing enthusiasts as they undermine the essence of the sport.

Over the past few months, it was necessary for Saudi Arabia to invest and for Turki Al-Shikh, who is a true boxing enthusiast and also the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, to step in and ensure the successful completion of the large-scale events.

During the week that the confirmation of Fury-Usyk match took place, Saudi Arabia also announced a major event with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder as part of the lineup. Their promoters are rivals, but the two heavyweights will not be facing each other.

The recent news about the upcoming major boxing matches indicates that Saudi Arabia is dominating the heavyweight boxing scene. This is a feat that other places have not been able to achieve. The first step towards this goal was bringing together two prominent boxing promoters, Eddie Hearn for Joshua and Frank Warren for Wilder, under one roof for a heavyweight event. The two were seen sitting merely two seats apart at a press conference in Wembley, with Hearn's fighter Joshua fighting under Warren's event. This was unprecedented since even though Hearn and Warren are two of the most influential figures involved in the sport, they have rarely, if ever, spoken to each other directly.

The UK and US officials have struggled to bring certain types of events to fruition. Although there have been five notable matches involving top-tier fighters (such as Fury vs. Wilder three times and Usyk vs. Joshua twice), fans of boxing have been longing for even more. The good news is that things appear to be rapidly shifting towards an improved outlook.

Previously, the sport has been plagued by constant battles between promoters, broadcasters, and sanctioning bodies, which has resulted in unified champions not being able to maintain their status for an extended period of time. However, by creating a strategic plan of fights that fulfills the mandatory challengers for each belt, it has the potential to completely transform the sport and avoid any future periods of stagnation.

Looking ahead to 2024, the ultimate goal is for Joshua and Wilder to face off in an epic match. Of course, they'll need to first get through their upcoming fights against Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker. If Joshua can come out on top against Wilder, it would be the ultimate achievement in his career as a heavyweight boxer - becoming a three-time champion. However, this fight could also be his downfall - a loss could mean the end of his glory days.

Looking ahead to the year 2024, consider the inclusion of Francis Ngannou, an MMA athlete who managed to take down Fury, as well as Filip Hrgovic, the top-ranked IBF fighter who could potentially face either Wilder or Joshua in a matchup.

The United Kingdom and the United States made an effort, but it appears that Saudi Arabia has ultimately succeeded in getting top-tier boxing organizations unified and aligned with their overall mission and vision.