In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2023, at Kingdom Arena, Tyson ‘The Gypsy King’ Fury, the reigning WBC and Lineal Champion, is set to throw down with Oleksandr Usyk, the holder of the WBO/IBF/WBA unified championship. This isn’t just any fight; it’s a battle to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis 24 years ago, and for the first time ever, four belts are at stake.
Dubbed ‘Ring of Fire’, this colossal event is part of Riyadh Season, a massive winter entertainment festival. Fury, who previously triumphed over Francis Ngannou in a split decision victory, is all set to face Usyk in what promises to be an electrifying fight.
At a London press conference, Fury, ever the showman, taunted Usyk: “You can run, but you can’t hide. The Gypsy King is on the hunt. I’m the boss of this era, and your undefeated streak? I’m ending it. Thanks to His Royal Highness and His Excellency for hosting us in Saudi Arabia. I’m coming back as the undisputed champ.”
Usyk, cool and composed, stated, “I’m all about the journey, and ‘The Undisputed’ is my destination. When the bell rings, it’s showtime.”
Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is thrilled about hosting such a significant event: “We’re making history with this fight. It’s a big deal, and we’re ready to put on a show that matches this epic battle.”
Frank Warren of Queensberry highlights the magnitude of this event: “Fury vs. Usyk is the fight everyone’s been waiting for. We’re grateful to the Crown Prince and Riyadh Season for making this dream a reality.”
Bob Arum of Top Rank adds, “Fury’s a boxing legend, but Usyk’s a force to be reckoned with. This fight in Riyadh will be one for the history books.”
Usyk’s manager, Alex Krassyuk, echoes these sentiments: “The world’s been waiting for this. We’re proud of Usyk and respect Fury. May the best man win.”
Fury’s journey has been remarkable. He’s held the heavyweight title since 2015, and after overcoming personal challenges, he’s back stronger than ever, having defeated Deontay Wilder in their epic trilogy.
Usyk, the Ukrainian powerhouse and Olympic gold medalist, transitioned from cruiserweight to heavyweight, taking the world by storm with his victory over Anthony Joshua. As he prepares to face Fury, he aims to be the second cruiserweight champ to dominate the heavyweight division.
