Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

Why is Usyk v Fury not an undisputed championship fight?

Gareth Jones
Why is Usyk v Fury not an undisputed championship fight?DAZN

When Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury met for the first time in May 2024 they fought to be crowned the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in the four belt era. 

However when they meet in their much anticipated rematch on Saturday, December 21, live on DAZN Pay-Pay-View, the fight will not be for the undisputed crown this time around.

Back in May, the Riyadh Season event presented boxing fans with the first chance since 1999 to a heavyweight be crowned undisputed king of the division, no questions asked.

Usyk brought the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts into the ring, after taking them from Anthony Joshua in 2021, while Fury brought the WBC crown he claimed from Deontay Wilder.

Ultimately, it was The Cat who won the epic contest by split decision, claiming all four belts and becoming the first man in 20 years to take the honour of undisputed champion.

Oleksandr UsykFAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

However Usyk was only able to keep that title for five weeks before he was forced to vacate the IBF belt after opting to meet Fury again rather than their mandatory challenger.

The result was that the belt fell to Daniel Dubois instead, who defended it in spectacular fashion against Joshua in September, denying his countryman another world title stint.

That means that when Usyk and Fury  finally do meet again this month, only the three remaining belts held by the former - WBA, WBO, and WBC - will be on the line instead.

The winner will be a unified champion - called so for when a fighter holds two belts or more - but not an undisputed champion, which requires all four governing body titles.

But with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and the General Entertainment Authority behind the division, the wait for another undisputed bout likely will not take two more decades.

If Usyk defends his three belts, that should end the Fury rivalry - and if he chooses to fight on, he could face the IBF champion, whether that be Dubois or Joesph Parker.

If Fury wins this bout, then a third fight between these two warriors is likely. The trilogy winner could then look at another undisputed bout at the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now

Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now

The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US.  For prices in your region click here .

A PPV event means buying this fight night is a single one-off payment, with no contract, future commitment or extra costs.

Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits. This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with the likes True Geordie and ShowBizz.

The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform. This provides access to action from the UEFA Women's Champions League, NFL, PDC Darts, LIV Golf, Super League Basketball and Saudi Pro League.

TV channels include Matchroom Boxing, PGA Tour, PDC Darts, PowerSports World, Billiard TV and Padel Time TV.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

Buy Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN now .

 

More Usyk vs. Fury 2