Revealed on 21 Dec 2022 12:10 pm (UK Time)
In a transfer sure to excite boxing followers worldwide, it seems that the heavyweight division could have a single, unified champion very quickly. Britain’s Tyson Fury (WBC) will tackle Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (IBF, WBA, WBO) for all 4 main belts, by April subsequent yr.
The information comes through veteran promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank promotions, who handles the affairs of Fury, in an Anglo-American hyperlink up with Frank Warren’s Queensberry outfit.
“The two fighters have agreed to fight each other next,” Arum mentioned, in dialog with Sky Sports activities. With Fury and Usyk we’re coping with two adults… Usyk is an efficient good friend of mine, he’s very clever and Tyson is Superman, each as an athlete and as an mind.”
Instantly addressing the query all boxing followers need answered, Arum went on. “So, they want the fight. Both of them want the fight and so there’ll be very little, if any, messing around. So, we’ll be able to make that happen. I’m very, very confident. As I said, the fighters have both agreed to fight each other next, without any interim fights. Now the question is what’s the date and what’s the site. But that fight is definitely going to happen, and it will happen in the first four months of next year.”
Whereas location particulars are nonetheless to be confirmed, with a stadium within the UK or a profitable Center East venue the more than likely choices, the boxing world is already alight with anticipation. Undisputed champions are a rarity within the trendy sport. Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the final heavyweight to carry all the key titles, in 2000 earlier than he was stripped by the WBA on a technicality. Even Usyk’s countryman, Wladimir Klitschko, who dominated the division from 2006 to 2015 and was broadly considered his period’s high man, by no means gained the WBC belt.
Whereas there are legitimate arguments that the assorted governing our bodies do extra hurt than good and needs to be ignored, the prospect of 1 recognised champion, particularly within the blue riband division, stays engaging.
The combat itself affords loads of intrigue. At 6 ft 9, with an 85 inch attain and glorious all-round skill, Tyson Fury is within the dialog with the all-time greats of heavyweight boxing. Usyk, alternatively, is arguably a good higher technician, however at 6ft 3, with a attain of 78 inches (equivalent to Muhammad Ali) he’s small for a 21st century heavyweight. The Ukrainian due to this fact faces an infinite bodily problem if he’s to finally prevail.
Regardless, the world awaits.
