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Ever since Ukrainian pugilist Oleksandr Usyk ripped the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight title belts away from Anthony Joshua, the rumours of an undisputed heavyweight title fight between Usyk and WBC champion Tyson Fury have been rife.
The rumour mill began churning in earnest after Usyk’s successful title defence against Joshua in Saudi Arabia last summer and once Tyson Fury had come out of retirement to knockout Derek Chisora in December, a fight between the two best heavyweights in the world seemed almost inevitable.
With both fighters seemingly keen to make the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis v Evander Holyfield II in 1999, the hype amongst boxing fans worldwide has already reached fever pitch, with social media going into meltdown anytime any news of a potential fight is released.
After all, for the winner of this fight lies boxing immortality. A win for either Fury or Usyk would make them an undisputed heavyweight champion, the first in over 20 years and would see them join the most illustrious of company. Iconic names like Marciano, Liston, Ali, Frazier, Foreman and Tyson all achieved undisputed status and such a triumph would potentially cap the career for both Fury and Usyk.
With both fighters having already achieved greatness, in fact Usyk has already accomplished undisputed status as a cruiserweight, this potential meeting between ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Cat’ would be a fight for the ages.
Much of the talk around any potential fight has of course, been the venue for the fight and purse split between the boxers themselves. With both Fury and Usyk apparently agreed on the financial terms, the only major sticking point has been the choice of venue.
Saudi Arabia has recently hosted some huge fights and has the financial clout to outbid almost any competitor, but with Englishman Tyson Fury as the headline act, Wembley Stadium has also been touted as a potential venue. While the Saudis may be able to stump up some serious cash to win the fight, what they can’t guarantee is a packed out 90,000 seater stadium like Wembley.
In addition, with Fury fans expected to descend upon the capital if Wembley is to be the choice, the atmosphere would be more electric than anything the Saudis could deliver. Given the rarity of undisputed title fights, especially in the heavyweight division, combined with the fervour for British boxing, Fury v Usyk would be a fight for the ages.
A generational showpiece fight could be close to being signed for April 2023 and with announcements regarding the fight impending, watch this space for the release of any hospitality packages. What’s for sure, whether it’s Wembley or Saudi Arabia, this will be an unforgettable night of boxing with the attention of the world focused on the squared circle.
