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Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to meet in a rematch on 21 December, according to the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority.

Usyk beat Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era on 18 May.

A rematch was said to be in the works for October but Turki Alalshikh says the date has been pushed back to December.

“The world will watch another historical fight again,” Alashikh added on X.

“Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”

Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, added Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection when they fought in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian has won all 22 of his professional fights.

Alashikh did not name a venue or destination for the rematch but stated it would take place “during Riyadh Season”.

Riyadh Season is an entertainment festival held every winter since its launch in 2019 which has hosted a number of high profile boxing events.

The contest would give Briton Fury, 35, the opportunity to gain revenge after tasting defeat for the first time in his 16-year professional career against Usyk.

It is unlikely that all four belts will be on the line in the rematch with the IBF planning to strip Usyk as he will not be facing its mandatory challenger next.

However Usyk has requested an “exception” to keep hold of the belt for the rematch.

The IBF will told BBC Sport their “board of directors” would meet to discuss the request.

‘Christmas cracker in Saudi’

Analysis by BBC Sport journalist Kal Sajad

Usyk and Fury had agreed a two-fight deal but there were still some doubts as to whether the rematch would happen. But if Alalshikh says it’s happening, then it usually is – so you can start preparing yourself for a Christmas cracker in Saudi.

The first contest lived up to the pre-fight hype. Pundits predicted a dull, technical battle but instead we got a dramatic back-and-forth encounter.

Usyk is one of the smartest fighters in the history of the sport. His ability to read a fight and adapt accordingly is staggering. Having already shared 12 rounds with Fury, he will be looking for a more dominant win.

Fury appeared to be in control during the first half of the bout and will feel that with the right adjustments he can become a three-time world champion.

If Usyk is forced to vacate the IBF title, promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested the winner of Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois, who fight in Riyadh on Saturday, could face Anthony Joshua for the vacant belt in September at Wembley Stadium.

If Fury beats Usyk and Joshua wins the IBF belt, could we see Fury-AJ for all of the titles in 2025?

 

Tyson Fury was on the wrong end of a gutting defeat by Oleksandr Usyk last month in Saudi Arabia and was left on his haunches after a particularly heavy night out on the town back in the UK

Tyson Fury was left floored after being kicked out of a pub just weeks after being downed by Oleksandr Usyk.

The Gypsy King fell to a split decision defeat in Saudi Arabia against the Ukrainian. It saw Usyk condemn Fury, 35, to the first defeat of his career.

A rematch is already scheduled for December 21 but in the time being, Fury has fully immersed himself in life back in the UK. Just days after the fight, he was pictured at the rubbish tip with his wife Paris, a visit that he had promised.

But he has now been treated to Usyk-like treatment following a trip to the pub that got slightly out of hand. Videos showed the former heavyweight champion of the world looking worse for wear in Nowhere bar in his hometown of Morecambe.

Two security staff were pictured encouraging him to leave the venue, where Fury was partying with friends and family on Friday evening, before helping him to the door. Having left the bar, more footage from outside showed Fury attempting to deal with the after-effects of his heavy evening in town.

He stumbled around, eventually falling to his hands and knees and appearing to hit his head on a nearby lamppost. Fury’s brother Tommy had recently given an update on him.

Speaking to iFLTV, he said: “He’s alright, all good, all good. Listen, at the end of the day it was a close fight, I did think Tyson did enough to win it.

“I thought the first half of the fight was a shutout and they picked up a couple of rounds after that, so I thought he won the fight. At the end of the day it’s boxing, decisions happen and he’ll be back for the rematch.”

Tyson Fury out in Leeds with his family 

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Will Tyson Fury beat Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch? Share your predictions in the comments below

Asked about the rematch, Tommy backed Tyson for victory. He added: “One hundred per cent he’ll win the rematch. There’s not a doubt in my mind that when the rematch happens he’ll right that wrong and get the victory back and move on to the next.”

Away from his heavy night in Morecambe, Fury also chose to travel to Leeds to spend time with his wife Paris and his sister-in-law Montana. The former heavyweight champion had a grin on his face whilst posing alongside his family.

Meanwhile, Fury’s upcoming opponent Usyk has spoken out having compared him with Anthony Joshua. Speaking on the Three Knockdown Rule, he said: “Anthony Joshua has classy boxing.

“Greedy Belly, my friend Tyson Fury. It’s like sparkling water; when you open it without shaking, it’s good. If you shake it, it [blows]. Sparkling water is Tyson Fury, and still water is Anthony Joshua. Tyson’s arms are like two meters, like a rope.”

Asked if Fury was the toughest fight of his career, he replied: “I would say toughest fight, yes, but I think biggest punch, no. Derek Chisora, very tough guy. With Derek, I don’t remember which hand it was, left or right, but I would block it and it would be like a baseball bat. It was very dangerous.”

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Friends of Tyson Fury have told of their concern over how the heavyweight boxer is coping with his first ever defeat, after he was filmed being escorted out a bar before collapsing on the street.

The Gypsy King, 35, sparked fresh concern over his welfare on Friday evening after the boozy night in his hometown of Morecambe, Lancashire, which took place three weeks after losing his undisputed world heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk.

Tyson – worth a reported £300million – has previously turned to alcohol in a bid to drown out negative thoughts and cope with the baggage which comes with being a high-profile sportsman.

His fans will be hoping the incident inside the town’s Nowhere Bar is an innocent one-off, playing to an admission made during his Netflix reality series At Home with the Furys that it only takes ‘two or three pints’ to make him ‘senseless, speechless and drunk.’

But a friend told MailOnline that given the bender took place in the wake of such a hard-hitting defeat – the first of his career – there is extra concern for his well-being.

Regardless of concerns for his welfare, Fury appeared to shrug off the incident today as he took a seaside stroll along the promenade in Morecambe Bay with his father, John, 59.

Friends of Tyson Fury (pictured today) have told of their concern over how the heavyweight boxer is coping with his first ever defeat

A friend told MailOnline that given the bender took place in the wake of such a hard-hitting defeat – the first of his career – there is extra concern for his well-being

A friend of the boxer said: ‘Tyson and alcohol do not mix well.

‘He’s previously used booze as a coping mechanism, which for any sufferer of ADHD is never a good idea.

Paris wrote: ‘Once the post-fight euphoria had worn off, within days of returning home to Morecambe, Tyson had sunk into a black hole of darkness and despair.

‘It was as if that glorious night in Düsseldorf, and those gleaming world title belts, meant absolutely nothing to him.’

As his mental health spiralled, he turned to drink and drugs.

He was famously seen downing shots and sinking beers with England football fans in France during Euro 2016 – famously racking up a €1,000 bar bill after buying 200 jagerbombs – and when back on home turf, he was regularly seen ‘trashed’ in Morecambe pubs. He’s been banned from his local, The Hest Bank in nearby Lancaster, three times.

He continued to pile on the pounds and was so out of shape, Tyson was deemed ‘medically unfit’ to take on Klitschko in their planned rematch.

In October 2016 he tested positive for cocaine during a random anti-doping test, which not only threatened to derail his career, but also his marriage.

Paris wrote: ‘I’d never felt so let down in my life – it truly felt like the final straw – and I wondered whether our marriage could survive this huge setback. But, like I’d done so many times before, I told myself to sit tight and ride the storm.’

Now without his rematch, Tyson hit all-time low when he considered attempting to take his own life by driving into a wall at high speed.

Thankfully a voice in his head stopped him from ending it all.

Speaking to Joe Rogan, Tyson explained: ‘I hit the drink, I hit the drugs and I was out all night with the women of the night.

‘But when the drink wears off it just leaves you with a bad hangover and even worse depression.

‘When you have a goal in mind from being a child and you achieve it… I was lost, I didn’t know what to do.

‘I was waking up and didn’t want to be alive, I was making everyone’s life a misery; no-one could talk any sense into me at all. I would get very, very low at times and start thinking these crazy thoughts.

‘I bought a brand new Ferrari convertible in the summer of 2016.

‘I was in it on the highway and I got the car up to 190mph and was heading towards a bridge.

‘I didn’t care about nothing, I just wanted to die so bad.

‘I gave up on life but as I was heading to the bridge I heard a voice saying, ‘Don’t do this Tyson; think about your kids, your family, your sons and daughter growing up without a dad.

‘Before I turned into the bridge I pulled on to the motorway. I didn’t know what to do, I was shaking, I was so afraid.

‘I said I’d never think about taking my own life again.’

Hitting rock bottom appeared to inspire Tyson to turn his life around, proved by the boxer completing one of sport’s most remarkable ever comebacks when he transformed his body shape – losing an incredible ten stone – for his return to the ring against Albanian fighter Sefer Seferi in Manchester in June 2018.

After his fourth round victory, he then secured another win, via points, two months later against German boxer Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park, Belfast, to earn a shot at WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

He drew the first of the epic trilogy in December 2018 in LA, before victories in Feb 2020 and October 2021 – both in Las Vegas – which saw him crowned the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.

Despite his recent loss to Usyk, and his unconvincing win over UFC fighter Francis Ngannou in October last year, Tyson is still regarded as one of boxing’s biggest names with plenty of fights left in him.

His legions of fans will be hoping his latest blip does not trigger another lengthy boxing hiatus.

BA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis has once again taken aim at Floyd Mayweather after the boxing legend claimed that Davis’ upcoming fight against Frank Martin had been cancelled, stirring up both ‘Tank’ and his fans. Davis has held the WBA title since his 2019 knockout of Yuriorkis Gamboa after moving up to lightweight.

Recently, he was promoted to full champion status following Devin Haney‘s move up in weight and vacating the WBA (Super) belt

I’m so happy that the sun is finally out because it’s been a whole week of rain,’ she said on Instagram, ‘Also, the last four nights have been really tricky because Barry has been away and I’m like 39 plus something days – according to my due date I should be having a baby in two days.”

Lauren continued, “So, yes, I’ve been having chats to bubby saying “please stay inside until Daddy gets back. But we are going to the airport to pick up Barry and the boys and I are so excited.

‘The only way I coped is because my beautiful mum stayed with me and I had the support of my dad and some very special friends of Barry and I’s who kept checking in. So, yes, sun’s out, Barry’s home and I’m sure not long until we meet this little cherub.’ She concluded her post

Before, Lauren posted a picture of Barry and her when they got married ‘Two years, the most romantic elopement fuelled by LOVE and LIFE. Words can’t describe. I love you Barry,

Barry Hall, 47, has been fighting for quite a while and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve but it seems that age was a big determining factor for the loss, while Curtis Scott 2ho is only 26 years old, managed to crush the AFL legend’s defense with only 90 seconds remaining of the first round

Gervonta Davis vs Vasyl Lomachenko is close to becoming official with November date in sight

krainian lightweight Vasyl Lomachenko was once at the very top of the world and looking indestructible, just like Gervonta Davis feels today. At a certain point during that great moment for ‘Loma’, even people like Joe Rogan were talking about him for his skills. Right now, it doesn’t feel like anybody can defeat Gervonta Davis, which is one of the main reasons promoters want this fight to happen in the first place. If anybody has the skillset to potentially defeat ‘Tank‘, that man is Vasyl Lomachenko. Because if Loma finds his best form again by November, we could be in for one of the best fights of 2024. There is no question about that and everybody who loves boxing would watch it

BA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis has once again taken aim at Floyd Mayweather after the boxing legend claimed that Davis’ upcoming fight against Frank Martin had been cancelled, stirring up both ‘Tank’ and his fans. Davis has held the WBA title since his 2019 knockout of Yuriorkis Gamboa after moving up to lightweight.

Recently, he was promoted to full champion status following Devin Haney‘s move up in weight and vacating the WBA (Super) belt.

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fter a prolonged absence from the ring, largely due to awaiting a WBA decision, Davis is set to return and defend his title for the first time against the undefeated Frank Martin next month.

On the other hand, Mayweather was preparing for his own return in an exhibition match, more than a year after his chaotic bout against John Gotti III.

He was expected to announce a fight against Victor Ortiz, a former opponent, but his failure to show up at the press conference cast doubt on the event.

Heated exchange between David and Mayweather

Davis took to Instagram to comment on Mayweather’s no-show, accusing him of scamming and taking people’s money.

Mayweather then responded by claiming that the Davis-Martin fight had been cancelled. Davis fired back with a vehement post, calling Mayweather a ‘hater’ and asserting his control.

“This is sad, hopefully this is just a rumour,” Mayweather said.

Davis responded: “This n***a such a hater. He said some s**t cancel and that’s not true! N***A THIS MY S**T NOW! Keep talking and I’ll pull up to your house now and lay hands on you and some other s**t

Barry Hall’s wife shares how she managed to watch her husband get knockout hours before giving birth

arry Hall was terribly knocked out on Wednesday after he faced Curtis Scott, meanwhile, Lauren Brant just gave birth to their fourth child and shares how she managed to watch her husband get knocked down and then go to the hospital to have their child

 

floyd Mayweather Jr. recently commended his former fighter, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, as the “biggest puncher” in the lightweight division while calling Shakur Stevenson the “most skillful.”

However, fans and critics have different views on Stevenson‘s fighting st

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any of them perceive WBC 135-lb champion Shakur Stevenson as overly defensive, accusing him of avoiding direct engagement in the ring.

Mayweather Jr. hails Stevenson’s skillset

Critics argue that aside from his contentious victory over Edwin De Los Santos last November-a fight some believe Stevenson lost-he hasn’t faced top-tier competition.

“The biggest puncher at 135 will probably be Gervonta Davis, but the most skillful fighter at 135 will be hands down Shakur Stevenson,” Mayweather Jr. told the Come and Talk 2 Me YouTube channel.

“Well it’s all really about skills. Pernell Whitaker wasn’t a huge puncher but he was very exciting, very tough and he fought everybody and Shakur is trying to do the same thing, he’s trying to fight the best out there, he’s asking to fight the best.”

On the other hand, Vasily Lomachenko is often regarded as the most skilled lightweight, praised for his willingness to engage and his well-rounded abilities.

Fans believe Stevenson‘s primary asset is his movement, which they feel limits his overall effectiveness since he rarely stands his ground.

Critics argue that a fighter must engage more directly, something they believe Stevenson avoids.

His reliance on evasive tactics and a step-back approach has led some to label him one of the least exciting fighters in the 135-lb division

 

Mike Tyson is set to make a surprising return to the boxing ring on July 20, twenty years after his retirement.

The 58-year-old boxing legend will face 27-year-old Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium, raising concerns about his age and vulnerability, especially after a recent mid-air health scare

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espite these worries, both Tyson and Paul have confirmed that the fight will go on as planned.

‘The Problem Child,’ has faced significant criticism for choosing opponents who are well past their prime. However, he has also garnered support from some quarters.

Mayweather praises Paul

Former champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has shown support for Paul, despite their past contentious encounters.

In a recent interview, Mayweather was asked about Jake Paul‘s boxing credentials and offered some surprising insights.

During the interview, host Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson of ‘It Is What It Is’ inquired about Mayweather‘s thoughts on a rematch with Logan Paul before shifting focus to Jake Paul.

“I mean what he’s doing is kind of cool if he can continue to steal money and they match him the way they match him,” he noted.

“I can’t knock his hustle, so if they can match him the way they how they’ve been matching him more power to him.”

Tyson and Paul‘s fight will consist of eight two-minute rounds with both fighters wearing 14oz gloves. Tyson‘s last fight was an un-scored exhibition against Jones Jr. four years ago, on the same event where Paul knocked out NBA star Nate Robinson.

 

The highly anticipated fight between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul has been postponed due a recent health concerns for Tyson, organizers announced.

Tyson, 57, required medical attention during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles last Sunday after experiencing nausea and dizziness. This incident occurred two months before his July 20 fight with Paul in Texas.

In a statement released on Friday, fight organizers revealed that Tyson has been advised to engage in only minimal training in the coming weeks after a follow-up with doctors on Thursday identified an “ulcer flare-up.”

“The recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” the statement said.

“Both Mike Tyson and Jake Paul agree that it is only fair to ensure both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and compete at the highest level.

“The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to perform at the level he expects of himself.”

A new date for the fight is expected to be announced by June 7.

Despite the health scare, Tyson insisted he felt “100%” and would be in prime condition for the rescheduled showdown with Paul.

“I want to thank my fans for their support and understanding during this time,” Tyson said.

“Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flare-up, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.

My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s, and I will be back to my full training schedule soon. Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end, you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.”

Jake Paul expressed his support for the postponement. “I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said.

Mike Tyson, who turns 58 in June, was set to face the 27-year-old Paul in an eight-round professional fight sanctioned by Texas boxing authorities. However, several members of the boxing community, including former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, had voiced concerns about the fight, fearing Tyson could be hurt.

Tyson dismissed these concerns at a press conference earlier this month, describing his return to the ring as a “no-brainer.” “I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” Tyson said. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No one else can do this.”

Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s as the self-styled “baddest man on the planet,” last fought professionally in 2005.

The highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has been postponed after Tyson experienced a health scare, according to organisers.

A statement released on Friday noted that the decision was made to ensure both athletes have equal training time and can compete at their highest level.

“The upcoming highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will unfortunately be postponed.

“During a follow-up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” the statement read.

Organisers emphasised the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of the fighters, stating, “Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.”

The statement further added, “The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.”

While Tyson is expected to return to his full training schedule in the coming weeks, the organizers acknowledged the need to reschedule the fight, which was initially set to take place at AT&T Stadium.

“MVP anticipates rescheduling the match to later this year at AT&T Stadium, and we look forward to an exciting and well-prepared contest between these two exceptional athletes,” the statement read.

The new date for the highly anticipated fight is set to be announced by next Friday, June 7th, as Tyson continues to recover and prepare for the match against the younger Paul.

 

Concerns about Mike Tyson’s health have surfaced ahead of his anticipated comeback bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20.

Given his age and the significant hiatus from professional boxing, medical experts have cautioned the 57-year-old about potential health hazards associated with his participation in the match.

An ulcer flare-up during a recent American Airlines flight from Miami to LA on May 26 left the boxing icon feeling nauseous and dizzy, prompting flight staff to seek medical assistance from passengers.

While Mike Tyson acknowledged that his training is progressing well, he admitted that his body isn’t as resilient as it once was.

“I’m beautiful… I’m doing great but my body is [struggling] right now. I’m sore,” Mike Tyson remarked during an appearance in Harlem, New York, on May 13.

With just weeks remaining until his fight with Paul in Texas, Mike Tyson’s medical history has come under scrutiny. Years of boxing, coupled with drug-related issues and a relentless approach to his career, have taken a toll on his health over time.

Tyson himself has acknowledged his mortality, expressing on his Hotboxin podcast a sense of realization that his time may be limited.

“We’re all gonna die one day, of course. Then, when I look in the mirror, I see those little spots on my face,” he reflected, hinting at the approach of his “expiration date.”

Health problems such as sciatica, a condition involving irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, have plagued Tyson in the past. He disclosed his struggles with the condition in September 2022 and has occasionally been confined to a wheelchair during flare-ups.

Back issues have been a recurring challenge for Tyson, leading to his retirement from boxing in 2005. Following his loss to Lennox Lewis in 2002, Tyson famously exclaimed, “I broke my back, my back is broken, Spinal!” clarifying later that his spinal issues stemmed from years of rigorous training.

In addition to physical ailments, Tyson has battled mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder and depression. His turbulent personal life, marked by trauma and trust issues, has been well-documented.

Post-retirement, Mike Tyson has been candid about his struggles with drug addiction, particularly cocaine, and his experimentation with psychedelic substances. He has shared anecdotes about his drug-induced experiences, including ingesting venom from a poisonous toad.

While Mike Tyson has not openly discussed brain trauma, medical professionals are concerned about the cumulative effects of his boxing career. Prolonged exposure to head impacts heightens the risk of conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), raising apprehensions about Tyson’s long-term neurological health