Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Usyk and Fury Sign for Rematch in December

PhilBoxing.com





Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have signed a contract to meet in a rematch on the 21st of December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight comes after Usyk claimed a points victory over his rival to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.



Usyk was handed a split decision by the judges in their May contest to extend his unbeaten professional record to 22 fights. He joined a small group of boxers to become an undisputed champion in two weight divisions.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion forced Fury to survive a standing count in the ninth round of the contest. He finished the fight strongly, with the scorecards reading 115-112, 115-112 and 113-114.

Can Fury Reverse the Result?

With a second Usyk-Fury bout now scheduled, and other major fights booked for later this year, Saudi Arabia has now turned into a boxing hub. Boxing fans will get the opportunity to see the two generational boxers square off again, and if it is anywhere near as good as the first bout, they are in for a treat.
Fury started the opening fight well and was up on the scorecards in the opening four rounds. However, he will need to find a game plan that works for him this December, if he is to gain revenge and win back his world title.



The British boxer is familiar with having multiple fights with a big rival in the heavyweight division. He faced former WBC champion Deontay Wilder three times between 2018 and 2021. The pair drew the opening leg of their trilogy. Fury got the better of the American in the seventh round the second time around, while in the third installment, the Gypsy King stopped the Bronze Bomber in the 11th round.

Now at the age of 35, Fury needs to have the biggest performance of his career in the rematch with Usyk. The Ukrainian has also proved himself in the heavyweight division against Anthony Joshua (twice), Derek Chisora, Daniel Dubois and Chazz Witherspoon.

Legacy At Stake for Usyk

A repeat victory for Usyk against Fury will ensure he adds another chapter to his legacy in the sport. The 37-year-old is now being discussed as one of the greatest heavyweights in history, and if he can retain his unbeaten record before he retires, he will strengthen that claim.

Usyk climbed to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings in the sport in his latest triumph, jumping ahead of Japan’s Naoya Inoue and America’s Terence Crawford. The race to end 2024 at the top of that list is going to be competitive, so the Ukrainian may need another big performance in December.

IBF Belt Unlikely to Be on The Line

With Usyk refusing to face his mandatory challenger next, the IBF are set to strip the undisputed heavyweight champion of their belt. It means it is likely that the rematch will be for the WBA, WBC and WBO titles.

The IBF are expected to announce a fight between the winner of Dubois and Filip Hrgovic against Joshua for their vacant title. Whoever comes through that contest could be in line to face the winner of Usyk-Fury in 2025.

Usyk and Fury are expected to enter their training campaigns in October ahead of their blockbuster contest in December.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.