Boxing News Round-Up (Feb 04, 2024): Fury vs. Usyk Agree to $10 Million Ultimatum for New Date, Bivol vs. Beterbiev Finalized, and More

What happened in the last 24 hours in the world of boxing? Forget about scouring the internet for different updates. Get everything that one needs to know about all the happenings in the sport within a few minutes! 

First up, major updates came in for the postponed Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury fight! Up next, the much-spoken-about Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev fight was confirmed, and much more. Strap in your seatbelts because there’s a lot to take in!

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk boxing match rescheduled

Not long ago, updates came in that the undisputed heavyweight clash between Usyk and Fury had been postponed because Fury suffered an injury over his eye. The Saudis even released a statement following the update, which included a statement from Fury. However, according to a tweet from Michael Benson, things are looking up for the undisputed clash.

“Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO heavyweight world titles is set to be rescheduled for May 18th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has declared,” wrote Benson. The fight will make history for producing the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. So, his excellency Turki Alalshikh has introduced penalties for dropping out from the fight!

What happens if Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk drops out of the fight?

Following the news of the postponement of the fight, Alalshikh himself appeared in an interview with Ariel Helwani in his popular segment MMA Hour. The man behind the Saudi mega fights claimed if either fighter decides to drop out of the rescheduled May 18 fight, a $10 million penalty will be charged to them.

Moreover, in case Fury drops out of the fight, Oleksandr Usyk will face an opponent of his choosing. On the other hand, if Usyk drops out, Alalshikh wants to organize a fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua! “I choose the day it is the 18 of May. [If] we delayed it for the 18 of May, I am guarantee for the both of the fighters 10 Millions if someone [tries to] escape from the fight,” said Alalshikh.

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol boxing match confirmed

After Artur Beterbiev defeated Callum Smith on 13 January via technical knockout, all Bivol wanted was to arrange a fight against him to unify all the belts in the light heavyweight division and become undisputed. Seeing another undisputed clash on the horizon, Alalshikh revealed his plans to host the fight.

In the interview with Ariel Helwani, Alalshikh claimed he is planning to integrate the undisputed clash between Bivol and Beterbiev within the Frank Warren vs. Eddie Hearn “5 vs. 5” event on June 1. “We will announce it now in your show [on] the first of June inshallah Bevol and Artur in the main event…and in the same card between Frank and Eddie the five-card,” said Alalshikh.

Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke boxing match confirmed

In the final update, the undefeated 17-0 boxer from Ipswich, London, Fabio Wardley, will defend his English and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against Frazer Clarke. The fight is scheduled for 31 March next month at O2 Arena, Greenwich, United Kingdom. Wardley is coming off a seventh-round stoppage win over David Adeleye from October last year.

Clarke, the less experienced of the two, holds an 8-0 professional record. He last appeared in the ring in September last year against David Allen, winning the fight via 5th round stoppage. Moreover, the pair has been on a collision course since a failed purse bid last year. It resulted in a heated exchange of words between the fighters while elevating the excitement around the bout.

Also Read: Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua Teased at the Expense of Oleksandr Usyk’s $10 Million Loss

These were all the major updates in the boxing world as of 4 February 2024. Which fight are you looking forward to the most? Do you think Fury or Usyk will drop out? Who do you think will win between Beterbiev and Bivol?

Watch This Story: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Tentative Timeline