The highly anticipated rematch event Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2 “has a twist”
With less than two weeks to go until the highly anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, fans were thrown a curveball as the fight card underwent an unexpected change. Scheduled for December 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this clash is the most-awaited boxing showdown of the final quarter of the year.
Seven months ago, Usyk defeated Fury via unanimous decision, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. This time, the rematch will determine the fate of three prestigious titles—WBA, WBC, and WBO—alongside the coveted The Ring championship.
To complement such a monumental main event, the undercard was initially packed with thrilling bouts, announced during the official press conference last month. One of the highlights included the appearance of rising star Moses Itauma, nicknamed the “new Mike Tyson,” who boasts a record of 10 wins (8 by knockout) and is set to face the experienced Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs).
A Shocking Withdrawal Hits the Main Event
The co-main event, a highly anticipated matchup between knockout artist Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) and Uzbekistan’s former Asian Games champion Israil Madrimov (10-1-1), was also billed as a must-watch contest. Bohachuk, Usyk’s compatriot, is known as a “KO machine,” with 23 of his 24 victories coming via knockout. Madrimov, a former WBA light middleweight champion, has displayed exceptional promise in his professional career and is considered to be at the peak of his abilities.
However, just days ahead of the event, Madrimov was forced to withdraw due to acute bronchitis. In a statement shared on social media by Turki Alalshikh, the event’s organizer, it was confirmed:
“Madrimov is suffering from acute bronchitis and, following medical advice, will not be able to participate in the Fury vs. Usyk 2 event.”
A Late Replacement: Isaac Davis Steps In
In Madrimov’s absence, the organizers have swiftly arranged for Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs), a 29-year-old British boxer, to step up and face Bohachuk in the light middleweight division.
Davis recently competed in September on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois IBF heavyweight title bout, where he lost a decision to Josh Kelly after 12 rounds. Despite the loss, renowned promoter Eddie Hearn assured fans that Davis will be in much better condition this time, stating:
“Davis wasn’t at his best in September due to rushed preparations, but he’s ready to deliver his peak performance at Fury-Usyk 2.”
Minimal Disruption to the Event
This is the only adjustment made to the Fury-Usyk 2 fight card so far, and fans are hoping no further disruptions occur as the event draws near. With an already stacked lineup and the Fury-Usyk rematch promising to be an explosive conclusion to 2024, the excitement is palpable.
As the clock ticks down, boxing enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await what could be a historic night for the heavyweight division, hoping for no more unforeseen changes before December 22.
