The two best heavyweights of this generation return to Riyadh season for the last event of the year as they both bid to be crowned unified champion of the world. Tyson Fury looked to right the wrongs of the first edition when he was seemingly running away with the contest until the Ukranian, Uysk, stepped up the pressure, nearly stopping the Englishman in round nine.
Ring Of Fire
A close fought twelve rounds in May this year saw Oleksandr Usyk take his list of British victims to five with a split decision victory over the two-time champion of the world, Tyson Fury. It was a fight that had the world watching as it was to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Fury started the stronger, winning the lion’s share of the contest’s first half with some big shots that shook the Olympic gold medallist to his core. Knowing he was winning the fight and in control, he took his eye off the ball after rounds of showboating, leaving big gaps that Usyk exploited. The quick feet of the Ukranian were too much for Fury to handle, and in round eight, he stepped up the gas with a big shot, busting the Brit’s nose open.
Towards the end of round nine, Usyk landed clean on Fury that had the 6ft 9in ‘Gypsy King’ stumbling all over the ring and back into the ropes. The referee gave a standing eight count, and then Fury was saved by the bell. Usyk won two of the final three rounds and was crowned undisputed heavyweight champion. Winning by one point and three points on the cards of the judges who ruled in his favour.
Reignited
Fast forward seven months, and we are here again. Usyk believes he now has Fury’s number, and Fury believes he will knock Usyk out this time around. If Tyson wins then there will be a rubber match in 2025, if Oleksandr comes out on top again then it will likely close the chapter between the pair and Fury will likely be offered the chance to face Anthony Joshua who opted out of a rematch with IBF champion Daniel Dubois.
On the Talk Sports Boxing YouTube channel this week, Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, Alex Krassyuk, stated that the two-weight world champion might seek a return to cruiserweight after this fight. Upon that return, he would likely face Australian Jai Opetaia, who holds the IBF belt at the 205lb limit category.
Many different scenarios and changes in the dimensions of the two big-hitting divisions will play out with the second edition of Usyk vs Fury this Saturday LIVE from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rapidly becoming the new home of big-time boxing.
Can Tyson do what he did in his rematch with Deontay Wilder and knock Oleksandr Usyk out? Or does the champion have his number? Let us know your fight predictions in the comments!
The Biggest Fight In Boxing
The illustrious heavyweight division is usually where the biggest fights in the sport occur, and this rematch is precisely that: the biggest fight in boxing. With it being the marquee weight category, it has been home to some of the most popular names and biggest fight nights in the sport’s history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Rumble In The Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which has gone down in folklore as one of the greatest fights ever. The WBC always produce a commemorative belt to mark big occasions, and they have created an anniversary belt in homage to the 1974 contest.
Are you a fan of commemorative belts? Let us know in the comments!
USK VS FURY 2 PROMO! THE BEST PROMO EVER!? WATCH HERE: THE BEST PROMO EVER! 😮💨 | Turki Alalshikh releases EPIC trailer for Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 🔥
McCann Fails VADA Test, Edwards Steps Up To Face McGrail
The highly anticipated match-up between British, Commonwealth and EBU European super-bantamweight champion Dennis McCann and 2020 Olympian Peter McGrail was cancelled over the last few days because McCann failed a voluntary anti-doping test with the sports international governing body VADA.
However, one man’s loss is another man’s gain, and unbeaten Welshman Rhys Edwards steps up on less than a week’s notice to go to work with McGrail. Despite not having a full camp to prepare for the Liverpool fighter, Edwards finds himself with the biggest opportunity of his life and in a genuine 50/50 fight where he heads to Saudi in very good form with big domestic wins over Thomas Patrick Ward, Brad Foster and Brian Phillips within the last eighteen months.
The Romford Bull vs The White Rhino
Much loved UK heavyweight ‘The White Rhino’ Dave Allen(23-6-2) earns big in Riyadh against the dangerous up-and-coming knock-out artist ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher(12-0). The unbeaten Fisher recently knocked out Alen Babic inside the first minute in July this year and carries that star power with ticket sales hitting extraordinary levels.
Allen comes into the contest after two four-round wins over journeymen on small hall shows, which likely won’t be enough to match Fisher. The man who is well known for saving PPV showed with great displays when Matchroom was under the Sky Sports banner is a huge underdog heading into Saturday evening, and ‘The Romford Bull’ will be looking to add to his highlight reel with another spectacular knockout win.
Davis Steps In On Short Notice Again!
Ishmael Davis(13-1) steps in on two weeks’ notice for another Riyadh season card after jumping in to box Josh Kelly when he replaced Liam Smith for the Wembley Edition card in September. Giving a perfect account of himself losing by a majority decision after twelve rounds against a highly skilled opponent has seen the Yorkshireman presented with another opportunity. This time, Davis was against the extremely dangerous Serhii Bohanchuk(24-2), who was due to fight Israil Madrimov. Davis may not have been as experienced as Bohanchuk. Still, he’s showing what he’s about by taking big opportunities when they arise.
Itauma Steps Up & McGregor Faces Lowe
Moses Itauma is just nineteen years of age and has a record of 10-0. He has been touted by his promoter and Queensberry chief Frank Warren as the future of the heavyweight division. This weekend, he aims to climb higher in the rankings of governing bodies as he steps up another level against Demsey McKean, an Australian who trains in the UK with Tony Sims. McKean wants to be in the mix with the contenders at the top of the division and sees Itauma as his way back in after a surprise defeat to Filip Hrgovic in August 2023.
Isaac Lowe(25-2-3) is seemingly always on Tyson Fury’s undercard, and this time, he squares off against Scottish prospect Lee McGregor(14-1-1), with both fighters looking to open doors to bigger things in 2025 with a win. Lowe’s only losses are against current world champions Luis Alberto Lopez and Nick Ball. In contrast, McGregor’s only defeat came last year against Erik Robles—another 50/50 match-up between two boxers with much to fight for.
Full Undercard:
Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean
A. Novytskyi vs. Edgar Ramirez
Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards
