Historic Double Bill in Riyadh to Feature Usyk-Fury, Joshua-Wilder

UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING

The historic undisputed heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could become part of a sensational double bill featuring Anthony Joshua’s fight against Deontay Wilder.

A deal for a fight between champions Fury and Usyk was signed in October, and it is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Terms have also been agreed for former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua to fight hard-hitting American Wilder, though no date or venue has yet been announced.

“They want to put Usyk-Fury, Joshua-Wilder on the same night. That might not happen until April,” Joshua told BBC sport and other outlets on the sidelines at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

Fury, 35, must first come through uninjured in a non-title bout against MMA star Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Riyadh.

“When Fury gets through Ngannou, it is going to be late October, early November, so I doubt he will now prepare for Usyk and fight in December, it’s too short,” said Joshua.

“So the next window will probably be in March-April, so that’s probably when the undisputed fight will potentially happen.

“Then obviously what we are being told is they want to make it a mega card and they like the sound of Joshua v Wilder on the same card as well.”

Briton Fury is the WBC champion and Ukraine’s Usyk, 36, holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles.

The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

Fury has won 33 fights with one draw since turning professional in 2008, while Usyk – who has won all 21 pro bouts – defended his titles against Londoner Daniel Dubois in August.

“The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said in September when the fight was announced.