British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk have officially signed a contract that will see them fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fight was officially confirmed today, September 29, 2023, and is scheduled to take place on December 23 or be moved to early next year.
The 36-year-old Usyk is the WBA, WBO, and IBF champion, while the 35-year-old Fury is the reigning WBC champion.
Hence, the winner of the bout in Saudi Arabia will be the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999 to defend the WBA, WBC, and IBF championships, there hasn’t been an undisputed heavyweight bout in this manner.
Even though the fight has been signed and sealed, Fury must emerge unscathed in the fight against Francis Ngannou in a non-title match on October 28 in Riyadh.
Usyk, who has won all 21 of his professional fights, recently defeated Daniel Dubois in August to defend his belts.
As for Fury, the British boxer has won 33 of his 34 fights since turning professional in 2008, while only drawing once.
Queensbury promoter Frank Warren who is in charge of Fury’s brand, said, “Delighted to finally get this fight signed. This is the biggest fight that could be made in our sport.”
“The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century.”