Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to battle for the undisputed heavyweight championship in a highly anticipated matchup on February 17th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion with a record of 33-0-1 and 24 KOs, will face Usyk, the IBF/WBA/WBO champion with a perfect record of 21-0 and 14 KOs, in a battle for all four belts.
The original fight date of December 23rd was postponed to February 17th to allow Fury to recover from a tough match against MMA star Francis Ngannou, where he sustained a visible injury.
The February 17th event will also feature Anthony Joshua taking on Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder facing Joseph Parker. Further details, including the undercard lineup, are yet to be announced.
According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the fight between Fury and Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been confirmed. The undercard for the event is expected to be stacked, similar to the December 23rd event in Riyadh.
The fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title will take place on February 17th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sources told ESPN. The fight was originally scheduled for Dec. 23, ahead of a much tougher-than-expected fight between Fury and Francis Ngannou.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) November 14, 2023
Fury’s recent fight with Ngannou showcased a slower and less effective performance, highlighting the need for improvement in his upcoming match against Usyk.
With the expectation of the Fury vs. Usyk fight being available on ESPN+ PPV in the US, there is curiosity surrounding the pricing and potential fan interest, given the fighters’ popularity in the US and the performance of Fury’s previous PPV fight.
The promoters will likely consider adjusting the price of the February 17th event based on the response to the Fury-Ngannou PPV numbers, aiming to maximize viewer participation.
It’s important for the promoters to set a reasonable price for the Fury vs. Usyk fight to attract US fans while ensuring it is accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
