Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will battle for the undisputed heavyweight title in a “historic” fight in Saudi Arabia on February 17, it has been revealed.
In Riyadh, British star Fury will defend his WBC and Lineal heavyweight crowns, while Ukraine’s Usyk will defend his WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.
The winner will be the heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis from 1999 to 2000.
Fury, 35, and Usyk, 36, were supposed to fight on December 23, but Fury’s dismal performance in a split-decision victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou last month caused a postponement.
The pair will finally step into the ring in 2024 as Fury looks to add to his record of 34 wins with one draw since turning professional in 2008.
“This is a historic event. The whole world of boxing has been waiting for many, many years, and they now have this fight,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told reporters at a press conference in London on Thursday.
“For the first time this century, we will have an undisputed heavyweight champion.
“As a promoter I’ve been banging my head against the wall. But now we have the creme de la creme. These two undefeated heavyweight fighters.”
In typically combative mood at the press conference, Fury referenced his 2015 victory over Usyk’s fellow Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, which earned him the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
“I already relieved one Ukrainian of all the belts, and now I’m going to take them all back,” Fury said.
“Usyk’s a champion, I’m a champion. It’s going to be a fight for the ages.”
Fury believes a victory over Usyk would cement his status as one of the all-time greats.
“He’s a good boxer, slick. But I’ve seen people like him before, and when they fight the big man, they lose,” he said.
“I believe we’re both destined to be here. I’m destined to become the undisputed champion, and more than that, cement my legacy.”
Usyk kept his cool amid Fury’s insults, which included taking swipes at his opponent’s height and his ear-ring.
“Yes I’m a little man. I’ll speak in the ring,” Usyk said.
Fury has held the WBC title since defeating Deontay Wilder in 2020 and has successfully defended it three times.
He defeated Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022 and Derek Chisora eight months later at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Since defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021, Usyk, who has won all 21 of his fights, has held the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.