When the dust settled in Riyadh, and there was plenty of it, thoughts quickly turned to Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 - or Usyk vs Fury 2, as it will be billed, after the Ukrainian established himself as the A-side of this rivalry and undisputed heavyweight champion.
Focus turned to the rematch not only because it is contracted, with Usyk and Fury expected to collide again in Riyadh this October, but because the sequel to Saturday’s classic will be the biggest fight left this year.
Furthermore, the rematch is part of a larger, established plan by the Saudis: the winner will face Anthony Joshua in the first quarter of 2025. Except... As much as Saudi money has given direction and urgency to the heavyweight division, enabling the first undisputed fight in 25 years among other enticing matchups, the Gulf state’s relevant figures cannot override boxing’s madness entirely. It is by nature a chaotic sport, and chaos may yet ensue.
The first hint came on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena, where Fury looked close to having Usyk beaten, only to succumb to a rousing comeback. Had the Briton won, he might have had to replicate the result in October to ensure a clash with “AJ”, but now?
This story is from the May 21, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the May 21, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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