Home/Boxing

via Getty

via Getty

We already knew in October last year that Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk would have a two-way rematch clause that would enable the loser of the fight to activate a second fight immediately. Now, before the first encounter between the two boxers on May 18th, we already have a date for the rematch!

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, the visionary His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, bent on fixing boxing, said they had identified “untapped opportunities” and desired to improve the market. For the same reason, after Fury vs. Usyk I, Queensberry vs. Matchroom, and Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, Alalshikh plans to kick off another massive event in October this year.

While Tyson Fury was supposed to face Oleksandr Usyk in February this year, an unprecedented cut suffered by ‘The Gypsy King’ during one of the sparring sessions led to the fight being postponed to May. And now when we are less than two weeks away from the undisputed Heavyweight fight at Kingdom Arena, ESPN disclosed that besides planning to arrange Fury vs. Usyk II only a month after Crawford vs. Madrimov, Alalshikh was already thinking about a potential Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Getty

Alalshikh told ESPN that he’ll stage the Fury-Usyk rematch on Oct. 12 or 13 to kick off another Riyadh Season,” wrote Mike Coppinger. Additionally, he informed there could be a third rubber fight between Usyk and Fury provided the duo “split the two fights” this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Meanwhile, for a long time, boxing fans expected to see Anthony Joshua face Tyson Fury. In fact, it was after Anthony Joshua lost to Usyk for the second time that Fury decided to end his hiatus that began after the victory against Dillian Whyte and return to face ‘AJ’ among others. On that note, referring to Alalshikh’s plans. Coppinger added, “If Fury and Usyk split the two fights, the rubber match could take place later in 2025 after Fury-Joshua.”

On the other hand, Alalshikh has expressed his desire to collaborate with pretty much all the stakeholders in the sport.

Alalshikh is committed to long-term success

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Boxing fans around the world have wholeheartedly praised His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for his passion and desire to offer the most entertaining fights. On that note, Alalshikh told ESPN that being committed to long-term success in the boxing industry, he would commercialize the market accordingly to achieve his goals. “We will collaborate with all stakeholders to advance boxing and optimize the market. For that, everyone understands that we’re taking this very seriously,” Alalshikh said.

On the other hand, with Turki Alalshikh’s guidance, Tyson Fury is excited to entertain his fans more than ever. “I’m being paid a s**t ton of money from Saudi not to turn up and do a boxing fight, but to put a show on and put Saudi on the map,” said Tyson Fury. On that note, branding himself as the world’s largest traveling showman, Fury added, “So that’s what I’m gonna do: Put on a show.” With that said, do you expect to see a trilogy? Also, what do you feel about Fury vs. Joshua? Let us know in the comments below.