While the sporting calendar is packed full of thrilling events, every now and then, a standout match or race occurs. That’s exactly what boxing, and sports fans in general, have to look forward to in the upcoming bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. It’s a clash that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
The fact that there’s a lot at stake isn’t the only reason that this is being billed as the fight of the year. Keep reading to find out when the fight will take place and other details about this hotly-anticipated boxing match. Plus, discover some fighter stats to inform your predictions for one of the biggest nights in boxing.
When Is The Fury vs Usyk Fight
The 12-round Fury vs Usyk takes place in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two fighters will meet on Saturday, 18th May. The main event is expected to start at 11 pm UK time, which is 1 am on Sunday morning for those live at the fight.
The weigh in on Friday will be the trigger for anticipation to begin to build more rapidly. Tyson is expected to step on the scales lighter than ever before, having dropped over two stone since his last fight. The excitement will grow as the coverage starts on Saturday afternoon, including the build-up and two hours of undercard action.
The Undercard
Before the heavyweight bout is decided, you can look forward to clashes in other weight classes. Look out for Anthony Cacace facing the undefeated Joe Cordina. With nine knockouts under his belt, Cordina is looking to defend his IBF super-featherweight title.
The IBF cruiserweight title is also up for grabs. Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis will settle that dispute in the ring on Saturday night. Also on the undercard are Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, Isaac Lowe vs Hasibull Ahmadi and Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mazancev. Plus, look out for Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar, Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez and David Nyika vs Michael Seitz.
All Eyes Will Be On This Fight
A fight that names the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 1999 is sure to draw crowds. It’s a long time coming, as negotiations for the Fury vs Usyk fight began back in April 2023. Not only that, but anticipation has been building since the end of last year. Fans were relieved to finally get a date for the delayed fight, which was originally scheduled to happen on Saturday, 17th February.
At the start of that month, Fury and Usyk appeared on different live streams announcing the postponement. It came down to the British boxer’s injury that occurred during a sparring match. He took an elbow to the eye that required 11 stitches. The following exchanges led to Fury refuting Usyk’s manager’s claims that the WBC champion was scared to fight the Ukrainian.
Fight Predictions
The delayed fight has left a lot of room for speculation. It’s an extremely tough one to call. Fighting fans will spot similarities with the upcoming McGregor vs Chandler match, where each fighter brings something different to the table. All eyes will be on the weigh in, as it’s Fury’s size that’s thought to be decisive in this match.
Most bookies are picking Tyson Fury as the favourite, although by a small margin. It appears that fans are betting the same way, with most bets backing the British boxer. However, it’s hard to separate the pair, so it’s a case of checking the weigh in and searching for the most competitive odds.
Tyson Fury
It’s not quite a David and Goliath bout, but size certainly plays a role. The statistics favour Fury in all respects. At 6ft 9in with a reach of 85 inches and a weight of 19st 8lb in his previous fight, the Brit is an intimidating prospect. He has won 34 fights and had one draw.
Another fact in Fury’s favour is that he is the current WBC heavyweight champion. His last bout was against Francis Ngannou, a former UFC champion. It was a narrow win for the British boxer when he rose from the canvas and clinched it on a split decision.
Oleksandr Usyk
The Ukrainian Usyk comes in at 6ft 3in and has a reach of 78 inches. His weight in his previous fight was 15st 10lb. What makes this fighter remarkable is that he took the undisputed cruiserweight crown and has boxed in middleweight amateur matches. He gained weight to take on the heavyweights and more than proved himself.
The ultimate test is yet to come, but Usyk shouldn’t be viewed as the little guy. His focus, training, reflexes and talent as a boxer are what make him stand out. Those tools and his resilience were instrumental in his win against Anthony Joshua and the following rematch.
Heavyweight Credentials
Tyson Fury comes into the fight with a full list of heavyweight credentials. Usyk, on the other hand, still has a lot to prove. While some might see that as a disadvantage, having something to fight for, and the Ukrainian’s ability to reach another level to win, shouldn’t be discounted.
Size isn’t everything in boxing. While many said that AJ was too big for Usyk, they were proved wrong. It seems that 15st 11lb is the optimal weight for this fighter making a name for himself in a new weight class. That being said, Fury is on form and certainly won’t give up easily.
Saturday Night Fight
Will it come down to a decision, a knockout or a TKO? Both fighters have expressed their respect for their competitor, so you can expect a business-like level of focus from each competitor. However, many titles and the abstract concept of being the ‘best’ is at stake.
Check the odds, line up your bets and tune in on Saturday night for the fight of a lifetime. One of the biggest sporting events will play out on 18th May, and it’s hard to predict whether it’s Fury or Usyk who will walk away as the victor: the undisputed world heavyweight champion.