The much-anticipated fight for the undisputed heavyweight title between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been confirmed to take place in Saudi Arabia on February 17, as announced by the organizers. This high-stakes bout will see British boxer Fury defending his WBC belt, while Ukraine’s Usyk will put his WBA, IBF, and WBO titles on the line in Riyadh. The victor of this clash will be crowned the first undisputed champion in the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis held the title from 1999 to 2000.

Originally scheduled for December 23, the fight was postponed due to Fury's underwhelming performance in a split-decision victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou last month. Suffering a swollen eye and a cut on the forehead in the contentious win, Fury's physical condition necessitated a delay in the highly anticipated showdown. Additionally, Fury had faced criticism for failing to reach an agreement with Usyk when a proposed meeting at Wembley in April fell through.

The upcoming bout in 2024 will be a significant moment for both fighters, with Fury aiming to build on his impressive record of 34 wins and one draw since turning professional in 2008. Notably, Saudi Arabia has become a prominent host for major boxing events in recent years, including Usyk's victory over Anthony Joshua in 2022. However, the Gulf State's use of sports events to enhance its international standing has drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about its human rights record.

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