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Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2: Everything you need to know about the fight

Tyson Fury (right) faces off against Oleksandr Usyk during a press conference at the Guildhall, London
Tyson Fury (right) faces off against Oleksandr Usyk during a press conference at the Guildhall, LondonPA Images / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia
The boxing world is on the precipice of a historic heavyweight rematch as reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) and Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) prepare to square off once again on December 21st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Ukrainian southpaw became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999, as well as the first in the "four-belt era" when he added Fury's WBC title to his WBA, WBO and IBF titles in May 2024.

The 37-year-old edged the bout via split decision in Saudi Arabia, with the scores 115-112, 113-114, 114-113 on the cards following a decisive knockdown for The Cat in the ninth round.

The loss was the first in the long and storied career of 'The Gypsy King'.

CompuBox said Usyk had landed 170 of his 407 attempted punches (41.8 per cent) compared to Fury's 157 out of 496 thrown (31.7 per cent).

However, Usyk was swiftly forced to vacate the IBF title shortly after, with Britain's Daniel Dubois now holding that belt.

When is the fight?

After some deliberation from Fury's camp - with many fans suspecting he may retire or opt for a 'Battle of Britain' clash with the dwindling Anthony Joshua - a rematch was eventually slated for December 21st, 2024.

The event is scheduled to start at 20:00 CET, with the main event ringwalks expected around 00:00 CET.

Defending champion Usyk remains the bookies' favourite to retain his heavyweight belts at the expense of the Manchester native.

Who's on the undercard?

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury: For WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles

Serhii Bohachuk vs Israil Madrimov: Light middleweight

Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean: Heavyweight

Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen: Heavyweight

Dennis McCann vs Peter McGrail: European super bantamweight title

Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor: Featherweight

What have the fighters said?

"I have to be a little bit more focused and smart to get the victory," said Fury at a press conference in London in October.

"My rematches with people, I always end up knocking them out, so I'm envisaging something similar against Usyk."

He has also more recently suggested a third fight could be on the cards after the sequel's conclusion.

"There will be a rematch - a trilogy - there's got to be," Fury said in a recent interview with DAZN.

"If he wins one and I win one, I can't say I'm better, and he can't say he's better. There has to be a third one."

Meanwhile, Usyk has remained his usual stoic self, offering little more than one-word answers alongside some erratic behaviour during the media launch event.

"I'm happy to be here," the champion remarked in a rare moment of air left unconsumed by his larger-than-life opponent. 

"What is my motivation? I don't have motivation, only my regime and my concentration. This is my motivation."

How to watch the big fight

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.

You can follow all the build-up and reaction to the mega fight with Flashscore.

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