Tyson Fury’s next fight WILL be the one we all dreamed of – Oleksandr Usyk for all of the heavyweight marbles.
Those dreams of an all-British megafight vs Anthony Joshua will not be happening any time soon, but a Fury vs Usyk blockbuster is one helluva consolation prize.
Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua for a second time in 2022 to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and claim the Ring heavyweight title vacated by Fury. He then defended those belts with a stoppage of another Brit Daniel Dubois in August 2023.
Fury meanwhile removed the final obstacle in his way, albeit after a struggle, as he outpointed former UFC heavyweight champion Francis NGannou in Riyadh in October 2023.
When is Tyson Fury’s next fight?
Fury vs Usyk will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2024.
We now know that ESPN+ will air the bout as a PPV in the United States, but we still await confirmation of who gets the UK rights. The smart money would be on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport). That platform has aired all of Fury’s recent bouts.
What is at stake in Fury vs Usyk?
Quite simply, absolutely everything from a heavyweight boxing perspective. The bout should crown the sport’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis way back in 1999.
If we look at the current heavyweight champions, Fury and Usyk hold every single title that matters.
Fury is the WBC and lineal champion, while Usyk is the IBF, WBA, WBO and Ring magazine king.
Why not Fury vs Joshua?
Great question, and not one which presents an easy answer.
Of course we’ve had a couple of very high-profile false starts, but right now the fight doesn’t make boxing or commercial sense.
Joshua is out of the world heavyweight title picture right now as he builds back from those defeats by Usyk. He is set to face Otto Wallin on a massive December 23 bill in Saudi Arabia, after which he could face another world champion Deontay Wilder.
The earliest we see this bout happening is 2025, if the following things happen:
- Fury beats Usyk, and then successfully defends in their planned rematch.
- Joshua beats Wallin and then whatever else is put in front of him in 2024 – likely a certain Deontay Wilder.
- THEN this fight would be huge from a boxing and financial perspective again in 2025. Peak potential.
