Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury climb into the ring once again in Saudi Arabia this weekend in what is an early Christmas present for fight fans.
The two rivals first met seven months ago in Riyadh, with Usyk narrowly beating Fury by split decision. It was a historic night for Usyk, who became the modern era's first four-belt heavyweight champion – to go with his four-belt cruiserweight run and Olympic gold medal – making him one of the most decorated fighters of all time.
Can Fury avenge his only professional loss or will Usyk's incredible winning streak continue? Everything you need to know about the WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight world title fight is below.
What is it?
“Reignited” is a boxing event headlined by the unified world title rematch between heavyweight champion Usyk and former WBC and lineal champion Fury.
The last time they met the fight was a modern classic with lots of changes in momentum and Usyk almost knocking Fury out in the ninth round. Usyk became the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Before the main event, there will be five supporting fights, including exciting heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma.
Where is it?
The event will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s a venue that has become the home of big-time Saudi boxing clashes, such as Anthony Joshua's victorious bouts against Otto Wallin in December last year and Francis Ngannou in March.
When is it?
The event, called “Reignited”, takes place on Saturday, December 21, with the fights starting at 10pm UAE time.
Who is fighting?
The event is headlined by arguably still the two best heavyweights on the planet. Fury was the reigning two-time world and lineal champion but suffered the first defeat of his 35-fight professional career when losing to Usyk in May. After becoming a unified champion with a career-defining win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, Fury struggled with mental health and substance abuse problems and was out of the ring for three years.
He returned to once again rule the division with successive knockout wins over long-reigning WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2020 and 2021 after their first fight ended in a controversial draw. The 36-year-old Briton then reeled off three more victories, although he narrowly escaped embarrassment with a split-decision win over MMA star and boxing novice Francis Ngannou last October.
Usyk has a perfect record from his 22 professional fights. The 37-year-old Ukrainian first made a name for himself at cruiserweight where he became the undisputed champion and arguably the finest fighter in the division's history.
On making the step up to heavyweight and after a couple of adjustment fights, Usyk challenged Anthony Joshua for the unified world titles in 2021 and duly outclassed the champion. He retained his titles in a rematch 11 months later in Jeddah, albeit in a much closer fight that ended in a split decision.
Usyk, who had one more successful title defence against Daniel Dubois last August, became the first four-belt undisputed champion of both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He is also only the third male fighter to hold all four world titles in two weight classes after American Terence Crawford and Japan's Naoya Inoue.
Who is on the undercard?
By Riyadh Season’s incredible standards, this undercard is a little underwhelming.
Israil Madrimov was meant to fight Serhii Bohachuk but will now face Vergil Ortiz on the stacked February 22 card. Ishmael Davis has stepped in as a late replacement.
Dennis McCann has failed a doping test so will no longer fight Peter McGrail for the European super-bantamweight title in a further blow to the undercard.
The full card
Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 – WBC, WBO & WBA heavyweight titles
Serhii Bohachuk v Ishmael Davis – light-middleweight
Moses Itauma v Demsey McKean – heavyweight
Johnny Fisher v Dave Allen – heavyweight
TBA v Peter McGrail – European super-bantamweight title*
Isaac Lowe v Lee McGregor – featherweight
*Original opponent Dennis McCann failed a doping test
What time will the show start?
The broadcast will start at 10pm UAE.
What time will Usyk v Fury 2 start?
Fury and Usyk are expected to make their ring walks at about 2am UAE time on Sunday morning. Depending on the length of the preceding fights, it could be a little later.
What is the fight week schedule?
Tuesday, December 17 – grand arrivals from 10pm UAE
Wednesday, December 18 – open workout from 10pm UAE
Thursday, December 19 – news conference from 8pm UAE
Friday, December 20 – weigh-in from 8pm UAE
How to watch the fight in the UAE?
The fight is available to watch in the UAE on Dazn.
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Canada
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Singapore
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
