Heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk face off in Riyadh on Saturday

  • 5/15/2024
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The winner will carry the four championship belts in a unification bout for most important global organizations in boxing Fury and Usyk both seek to write their name in the history books alongside global icons RIYADH: British heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and Ukrainian contender Oleksandr Usyk are scheduled to face off for the undisputed heavyweight world title on Saturday at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The winner will carry the four championship belts in a unification bout for the most important global organizations in boxing — the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO), according to a media statement released on Wednesday. The four belts feature images of boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Fury and Usyk will both be seeking to write their name in the history books alongside these global icons, the statement added. Saturday’s long-awaited-match will be the pinnacle of modern boxing as it is the first time that the four belts will be unified in a single fight. It evokes the prestigious legacy of the greats who have previously shaped the sport’s championship titles. WBC was established in 1963, and Muhammad Ali was one of its most famous champions, holding the title three times during his career. IBF was founded in 1983; Larry Holmes dominated the heavyweight division for seven years across different periods of his career. WBO was established in 1988, and although it is the newest of the belts, it has been held by several prominent champions, including Chris Byrd and Herbie Hide, among others. However, the oldest of the four belts that Fury and Usyk will compete for is the WBA title, which was established more than 100 years ago. The title was held for 12 years by Joe Louis, the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, and who is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Saudi Arabia has become a hub for premier world boxing contests over the past few years, with authorities investing heavily to bring the biggest bouts to local and international audiences. Previous bouts in the country have garnered the attention of fans globally and marked the Kingdom as a new home of international boxing.

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