The boxing world has been buzzing with anticipation over a monumental evening of fights scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia this December.
Initially, the plan was to witness Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk clash in a battle for the undisputed Heavyweight championship, while Anthony Joshua was set to face Deontay Wilder in the co-main event.
These were massive fights in their own right, but the prospect of having both on the same night seemed like sheer madness. Skill Challenge, the Saudi promoter, had even prepared to invest a staggering half-billion dollars in purse money, demonstrating their commitment to making this event a reality.
However, it appears that not everything revolves solely around financial gain.
During a recent episode of “talkBoxing,” Scott Jordan, a reputable talkSport reporter who was among the first to break news of the “super” fight event in December, dropped a bombshell. According to Jordan, it is highly unlikely that Tyson Fury will participate in the event.
“From what I’ve been told, Tyson Fury won’t be stepping into the ring in Saudi Arabia this December,” revealed Jordan. “There is still a long way to go before these fights are confirmed. While I was the one who initially discussed the possibility of these four fights taking place on the same night, no official offers have been made yet. Although offers can materialize swiftly, that hasn’t been the case here.”
Jordan went on to share that discussions were ongoing but stressed that the event would not come to fruition in December, based on information from his reliable sources.
Spencer Oliver, providing an alternate perspective, indicated that the much-anticipated showdown between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder seemed to be on track for the scheduled December date. With the absence of Tyson Fury, an intriguing opportunity arose for former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to enter the fray, adding another captivating element to the event.
The question on everyone’s mind is why Fury would turn down the most significant fight of the year, on the grandest stage, and potentially the highest payday in boxing history. So far, “The Gypsy King” has remained silent regarding the December event in Saudi Arabia. As a result, the sudden shift in the Heavyweight boxing landscape has left fans and pundits alike in the dark, eagerly awaiting further updates.
Leon Osamor
