Tyson Fury is searching for redemption as much as glory when he rematches Oleksandr Usyk this weekend, live on talkSPORT.
The Gypsy King failed to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when he lost to the Ukrainian in May.
Fury instantly began the journey to avenging his first-ever professional defeat – but won’t get a second shot at all four belts.
Usyk claimed a split-decision win to unite the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF titles for the first time in 25 years.
Unfortunately for British boxing fans, the undefeated 37-year-old won’t return to Saudi Arabia for the rematch with the same prize.
Why is Fury vs Usyk 2 not undisputed?
Only three of the division’s four championships will be put on the line for the rematch – the IBO, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles.
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That is because Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt earlier this year to pursue a lucrative rematch with Fury and is no longer undisputed.
His brief reign as ruler of all four titles lasted from his win over the Brit in May until he relinquished the championship in September.
Usyk’s commitment to a second Fury fight meant he was unable to make a mandatory defence of the belt so he was stripped.
Daniel Dubois was upgraded to full holder of the IBF title after winning the ‘interim’ belt when he beat Filip Hrgovic in June.
‘Triple D’ made a successful defence of the championship he never won in the ring by emphatically knocking out Anthony Joshua.
Dubois will rightfully feel more like a champion in his next outing against Joseph Parker on February 22.
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When could the next undisputed fight be?
Boxing fans had to wait over two decades to see all the heavyweight titles be united by one fighter.
Thankfully, it appears a similar wait won’t be on the cards again.
The winner of Fury and Usyk’s rematch could have the opportunity to battle Dubois, provided he comes through against Parker intact.
“We are not promoters so we cannot promote fights. We have been, as the WBC, extremely supportive of unification fights and undisputed champions. I would love to see Dubois fight the winner and, without a doubt, that fight is sensational,” Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC president, told Sky Sports.
“We all should try to make that happen. The reason for the organisation to exist is to give boxing the best fights possible. The reason for the mandatory contender rule, which the WBC instituted, was to give the best challenger the opportunity to fight the champion and not allow the champion to duck him,” he continued.
“It is not to have a mandatory just for the sake of it. At this moment, there is no greater fight than Usyk, the champion, against Fury, the former champion – simple as that.”
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Fury vs Usyk 2: How to follow
This 12-round heavyweight title clash is set to take place on Saturday, December 21.
The rematch will again be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with main event ringwalks at approximately 11pm.
talkSPORT has secured the commentary rights to this huge heavyweight world title fight.
Our full commentary team will be out in Riyadh to bring you blow-by-blow coverage from 7:30pm.
Jim White and Gareth A Davies will host a Fight Night Special with commentary from John Rawling and Spencer Oliver.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog to bring you all the latest news throughout fight week plus, of course, the fight itself.
The fight is set to be shown in the UK on DAZN Pay-Per-View, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office. It will cost fans £24.99.
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