The undercard for Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk has officially been announced, generating a buzz in the boxing world. Usyk made history in May by becoming the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era, taking Fury’s WBC title and solidifying his legacy as one of boxing’s greats.
In their first encounter, Fury had an early advantage but faltered as Usyk mounted a strong comeback, notably claiming a 10-8 round in the ninth with a barrage of punches that left Fury staggering against the ropes. Their highly anticipated rematch is set for December 21 in Saudi Arabia, with fans questioning whether Fury can avenge his previous defeat to Usyk.
The undercard, revealed by Turki Alalshikh, features an exciting co-main event: a clash between Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) and Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov (9-0-1, 6 KOs). Bohachuk, known for his devastating knockout power, aims to rebound from a previous loss, while Madrimov, a former amateur standout, is on a fast track to stardom after becoming a champion early in his career.
In the heavyweight division, rising star Moses Itauma (10-0, 8 KOs), only 19 years old, faces his toughest challenge yet against Australia’s Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs). Itauma has drawn comparisons to a young Mike Tyson due to his ferocious style and power. Meanwhile, Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs), dubbed ‘The Romford Bull,’ will take on veteran Dave Allen (21-6-2, 18 KOs) in what promises to be an entertaining matchup.
However, the most significant talking point isn’t the undercard but the decision to list Fury’s name first on promotional materials despite his recent defeat. Traditionally, the winner of a previous match headlines the rematch, leading many to question the reasoning behind this unusual choice. This rematch sees Fury, the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King,’ looking to reclaim his titles after a tactical defeat where Usyk’s speed and boxing intelligence proved decisive.
As anticipation builds, the boxing community is abuzz with speculation about Fury’s ability to reclaim glory and what this rematch means for both fighters’ legacies.
