Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to clash in a highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, with their legacies and multiple heavyweight titles at stake.
Usyk claimed victory in their first meeting at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena in May, winning a split decision that handed Fury his only career loss and crowned the Ukrainian as the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era.
Usyk, 37, has maintained his trademark composure in the build-up to the rematch, while Fury, 36, has oscillated between brooding silence and fiery threats. Tensions boiled over during an intense 11-minute face-off on Thursday, ending with Fury hurling insults in frustration.
The two fighters bring contrasting styles to Saturday’s showdown at the 22,000-seat Kingdom Arena. Usyk’s slick southpaw skills, precision punches, and stamina make him a formidable opponent, particularly in the later rounds. In their first fight, he had Fury on the ropes in the ninth round, forcing a standing eight count.
Fury, known as the “Gypsy King,” is a natural-born fighter with sharp instincts, a towering 6ft 9in frame, and a career-high weight of 281 pounds. He aims to use his size and strength to dominate Usyk, who is six inches shorter and significantly lighter.
A victory for Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) would solidify his position as one of boxing’s all-time greats, joining legends like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis as an undisputed heavyweight champion. He also carries the hopes of a war-torn Ukraine, fighting with a patriotic resolve.
For Fury (34-1-1), a win would make him a three-time heavyweight champion, placing him alongside icons like Ali and Vitali Klitschko. Despite doubts about his fitness and conditioning, his history of bouncing back in rematches—most notably in trilogies against Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder—cannot be overlooked.
The rematch has drawn an increased prize purse of $190 million, with Usyk expected to take the lion’s share as the defending champion. Notably, the fight will feature only the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles, as Usyk relinquished his IBF belt to focus on this lucrative bout.
The event is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing push into global sports, which has faced criticism as an attempt to distract from its human rights record. Following investments in Formula One, LIV Golf, and high-profile football players, the kingdom recently secured the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
As the two fighters prepare to step into the ring, Saturday’s rematch promises to be another chapter in the storied history of heavyweight boxing.
