Skip to main content

Before Francis Ngannou fight, Tyson Fury books Oleksandr Usyk undisputed title bout

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is on.

The heavyweight titleholders have signed contracts to crown the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Fury’s co-promoter Queensberry Promotions said in a news released.

Queensberry said the date of the fight and other details will be announced “in due course.” ESPN reported that the event could take place in December or early next year, citing sources.

The fight will be promoted by Queensberry, Top Rank, K2 and Usyk 17.

“Delighted to finally get this fight signed,” Queensberry’s Frank Warren. “This is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in our sport. The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century.

“I look forward to Tyson reclaiming the three belts that he never lost in the ring.”

Said Alex Krassyk of K2, Usyk’s promoter: “I can’t believe that it’s happening but it is. Difficult to express my admiration for being part of the biggest heavyweight fight of the century.”

Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) has some business to take care of first. The WBC beltholder is scheduled to face MMA star Francis Ngannou on Oct. 28 in Riyadh, although Fury should have no difficulty beating the first-time boxer.

Fury and IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) appeared set to fight on April 29. However, talks broke off after the sides couldn’t agree on a purse split for a projected rematch.

Usyk, who was coming off back-to-back victories over Anthony Joshua, moved on from Fury and defended his belts against Daniel Dubois on Aug. 26. The Ukrainian stopped his English counterpart in nine rounds.

Fury, also from England, last took part in a serious bout on Dec. 3, when he stopped Derek Chisora in 10 rounds.

(Editor’s note: This story first published at Boxing Junkie, part of the USA TODAY Network.)

Like boxing? Be sure to visit Boxing Junkie for all your coverage of the sweet science and follow @BoxingJunkie2 on Twitter.



from MMA Junkie https://ift.tt/CbZRU2P
via IFTTT
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Drew Dober offers to be Michael Chandler's warm-up fight for Conor McGregor

LAS VEGAS – If Michael Chandler wants to step into the cage before his long-awaited matchup against Conor McGregor, Drew Dober has his hand raised. Dober (26-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC) returns to action on the main card of UFC Fight Night 229 to face Ricky Glenn (22-7-2 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC). While he isn’t looking past his upcoming opponent, Dober has threw his name in the hat should Chandler get tired of waiting around for McGregor to commit to a fight date. “He’s definitely waiting for Conor, I’m still unsure if Conor’s going to ever show up,” Dober told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “If he wants a 5-foot-9 southpaw to get him warmed up for that fight, I’m absolutely available. He’s just got to let me know when he wants to do it.” Dober, a lightweight competitor, is willing to move up in weight to face Chandler, even though the two fighters share the same weight class. “He said he’s 190 pounds right now? I can fight him at 170,” Dober said. “I’m here for the excitement and he brings ...
Read more

Henry Cejudo: 'I still don't see Sean O'Malley as the best in the world' ahead of UFC 299

Henry Cejudo is not sold on Sean O'Malley as UFC bantamweight champion. O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) knocked out Aljamain Sterling to become 135-pound champion at UFC 292, whereas Cejudo is coming off a close title loss to Sterling at UFC 288 . O’Malley will make his first title defense against Marlon Vera in the UFC 299 headliner on March 9, and Cejudo is still adamant that “Chito” beats O’Malley again – despite being a sizable underdog. “I still don’t see Sean O’Malley as the best in the world,” Cejudo said on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel . “I don’t. I do believe ‘Chito’ Vera is going to beat him. You have good defense, you walk that dude down, you kick his freaking legs – he still has that wide leg – you kick his legs, you just bring the fight to him and grit. “This is what Sean O’Malley will do: He’ll look at the clock because he throws a lot of power. He is precise, but he throws a lot of it. I would bet the house on ‘Chito.’ Once I beat Merab (Dvalishvili), I’m goi...
Read more

Tatiana Suarez targets drop to strawweight next, lists Rose Namajunas as potential opponent

LAS VEGAS – Tatiana Suarez is set on a move back to strawweight, despite having a successful return at 125 pounds. Suarez made her long-awaited return to competition Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 220. Suarez (9-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who hadn’t competed in nearly four years due to a series of injuries, submitted Montana De La Rosa (12-8-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout. But despite picking up a dominant win at 125 pounds, as well as a $50,000 bonus, Suarez is determined to return to her original weight class and resume a title run. “I think they should give me a really good opponent at strawweight, and I’ll earn it,” Suarez told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 220 post-fight press conference. “I’ve never been given anything in my life. I’ve always earned it, and I don’t mind doing that because I think that builds character. You have to work for the things you want in your life. I don’t mind doing that because that’s how my mom and grandma raised me. “I’...
Read more