The unified heavyweight title will be on the line in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas
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It’s time to settle the score. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are back in Saudi Arabia to do battle once again as the pair of legendary champions face off for heavyweight supremacy on Saturday night. The two are set to clash for the second time with three of the four recognized titles in the heavyweight division at stake.
Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of boxing’s four-belt era when he took a split decision over Fury in May. With the win, Usyk added Fury’s WBC championship to his own IBF, WBA and WBO titles. The feat of going undisputed was a repeat of what Usyk had already achieved earlier in his career at cruiserweight before moving to boxing’s glamor division to chase further glory.
The loss was the first of Fury’s career and came after he started well in the fight only for Fury to turn the tables and start to land heavy shots that repeatedly had Fury on his heels.
A rematch clause was included in the contract and Fury activated it to get a shot at regaining championship status. This led to the IBF stripping Usyk of their belt for failing to fight a mandatory opponent rather than the only other man on the planet with a claim to being the best heavyweight in the game.
While that means the rematch won’t be for undisputed status — Daniel Dubois has since been named IBF champion — it is the biggest heavyweight fight possible and a chance for both men to add to their already impressive legacies.
The undercard was set to feature a solid matchup between Serhii Bohachuk and Israil Madrimov at junior middleweight. Unfortunately, Madrimov was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering from bronchitis during training camp. His next appearance is expected to be on the Feb. 22 card featuring Artur Beterbev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 in the main event where he will face another top contender in Vergil Ortiz.
Instead Bohachuk will take on Ismael Davis. Elsewhere on the card, more heavyweights give support to the main event. Rising teenage phenom Moses Itauma is back in action when he takes on veteran Demsey McKean. The 19-year-old has thrilled in his early career, scoring eight knockouts in 10 professional fights. His last was most impressive when he stopped veteran Mariusz Wach in the second round in July. He gets a durable veteran in McKean, who is coming off the first defeat of his pro career when he was stopped by Filip Hrgovic in August.
Let’s take a look at the full card for Usyk vs. Fury 2.
Usyk vs. Fury 2 fight card
Oleksandr Usyk (c) -140 vs. Tyson Fury +110, unified heavyweight titlesSerhii Bohachuk -950 vs. Ismael Davis +600, junior middleweightMoses Itauma -1400 vs. Demsey McKean +750, heavyweightsJohnny Fisher -1400 vs. Dave Allen +700, heavyweightsPeter McGrail -450 vs. Rhys Edwards +320, junior featherweightsLee McGregor -190 vs. Isaac Lowe +150, featherweights
Where to watch Usyk vs. Fury 2
Date: Dec. 21
Location: Kingdom Arena — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Start time: 10 a.m. ET How to watch: DAZN PPV (Price: $39.99)
Usyk vs. Fury countdown
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