Undefeated Streaks Still Intact for Both Usyk and Fury
Frank Warren, the boxing promoter pulling the strings behind the scenes, says that the much-anticipated heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is most likely going to be pushed to next year.
Just this Saturday, Fury clinched a victory against Francis Ngannou through a contentious split decision in a non-title match that went down in Saudi Arabia. Talk about drama, right?
Hailing from the UK, Fury holds the WBC title, and he’s already set to square off with Ukraine’s Usyk, the champ holding the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. Yeah, this is about to be an epic showdown for the ages.
“Our initial plan was to make this happen on December 23. However, chances are slim that it’ll materialize,” Warren spilled the beans on the 5 Live boxing podcast. “Fury needs some downtime to recover and prep for this high-stakes bout. We’re looking at setting the stage sometime early next year.”
As it turns out, Usyk was right there at ringside and even engaged in a bit of face-to-face with Fury post-match. So, if you’re wondering if there’s a bit of showbiz mixed in with the sports, you’re absolutely right.
This superfight has been cooking for nearly a year, finally getting the official nod in September. And get this: it’s slated to be a highlight of ‘Riyadh Season,’ Saudi Arabia’s annual winter festival of entertainment extravaganzas.
“We could actually hold the match anytime before the end of ‘Riyadh Season’ in March,” added Warren.
The Fury-Ngannou bout also was a chapter in ‘Riyadh Season,’ with the Saudi government reportedly shelling out big bucks for the cross-sport encounter. However, Saudi Arabia’s entry into the global sporting landscape hasn’t been without its hiccups—namely some side-eyes about their human rights issues.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has shrugged off the criticism, stating he couldn’t care less about the accusations of “sportswashing.”
Meanwhile, Ngannou, the French-Cameroonian former UFC heavyweight kingpin, nearly rocked the boxing world in his boxing debut. The guy had Fury hitting the canvas in the third round, causing a minor heart attack for Team Fury.
“I truly believe Tyson outperformed him by at least three rounds,” Warren weighed in.
Warren also advised Fury to hit the pause button, saying, “Take a breather, man. No need to make hasty decisions.”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing’s promoter, disagreed. He felt Ngannou should’ve gotten the nod, stating, “Fury looked like an amateur in there.” Hearn is now campaigning for either a rematch with Ngannou or a face-off with Anthony Joshua.
“Screw Fury vs. Usyk. Let’s get ‘AJ’ vs. Fury. AJ would send Fury to dreamland in less than six rounds,” Hearn proclaimed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Fight
Q: When is the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight expected to take place?
A: The highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight is unlikely to happen until next year. Promoter Frank Warren has indicated that the initial plan to schedule the fight on December 23 is doubtful due to Fury needing some time to recover and prepare after his recent tough match. The fight is now expected to take place early next year.
Q: What titles do Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk hold?
A: Tyson Fury, hailing from Britain, holds the WBC (World Boxing Council) heavyweight title. Oleksandr Usyk, representing Ukraine, is the champion in three other major organizations: WBA (World Boxing Association), WBO (World Boxing Organization), and IBF (International Boxing Federation). Their upcoming clash is set to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
Q: What is ‘Riyadh Season,’ and how does it relate to the Fury vs. Usyk fight?
A: ‘Riyadh Season’ is an annual entertainment events festival held in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, every winter since 2019. The Fury vs. Usyk fight is expected to be a part of this festival. Frank Warren mentioned that ‘Riyadh Season’ concludes in March, suggesting that the fight could take place anytime before that date.
Q: Was the Fury vs. Ngannou fight part of ‘Riyadh Season’?
A: Yes, the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou bout was indeed a part of ‘Riyadh Season.’ The Saudi Arabian government reportedly invested significant funds to host this unique crossover match between a boxing heavyweight champion and a former UFC heavyweight champion.
Q: Why has Saudi Arabia’s involvement in global sports events been controversial?
A: Saudi Arabia’s increasing desire to host elite sporting events, including boxing matches, an annual Formula 1 race, and a bid for the 2034 World Cup, has raised controversy due to concerns about the country’s poor human rights record. Critics have accused the Saudi government of “sportswashing,” using high-profile sporting events to divert attention from their human rights practices.
Q: How did Francis Ngannou perform in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury?
A: Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. He came close to causing a major upset in boxing history by dropping Fury in the third round with a left hook. While one judge scored the fight 95-94 in favor of Ngannou, two judges gave it to Fury at 96-93 and 95-94, ultimately granting Fury the victory.
Q: What are the opinions of boxing promoters regarding the Fury vs. Ngannou fight’s outcome?
A: Frank Warren, Tyson Fury’s promoter, believed that Fury won the fight by at least three rounds, despite the knockdown by Ngannou. In contrast, Eddie Hearn, promoter of Matchroom Boxing, felt that Ngannou should have been awarded the decision. Hearn called for a rematch between Ngannou and Fury or a showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua.
More about Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Fight
- Tyson Fury – Learn more about Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion.
- Oleksandr Usyk – Explore Oleksandr Usyk’s boxing career and achievements.
- Riyadh Season – Visit the official website of Riyadh Season to discover more about the entertainment festival.
- Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ambitions – Read about Saudi Arabia’s aspirations in hosting global sporting events and the associated controversies.
- Francis Ngannou – Learn about Francis Ngannou’s background as a former UFC heavyweight champion.
- Human Rights Concerns in Saudi Arabia – Explore human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, which have attracted international attention.
- Eddie Hearn – Get more information about Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Matchroom Boxing.
5 comments
Riyadh Season sounds lit, but what’s with Saudi’s rights?
fury vs usyk! can’t w8 for this 1, gna b epic.
Ngannou got Fury on da ropes, close call!
Fury holdz WBC, Usyk WBA, WBO, IBF? wow, much titles!
Hearn wants AJ vs Fury, epic battle ahead!