Joseph Parker was "over the moon" to get the call to face Daniel Dubois next February, admitting he was "up and down" with other names in the conversation to face the Briton.
The New Zealander will face off with the incumbent IBF heavyweight champion in a big encoutner at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View next year.
- Read more | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: Date, UK start time, fight card, how to watch heavyweight title rematch
Formerly the WBO heavyweight king between 2016 and 2018, a stirring career rebuild helped Parker secure the fight after talks over a rematch with Anthony Joshua broke down.
But with the deal now signed, the Auckland-born star admits that with names like Wladimir Klitschko and Fabio Wardley also reportedly in the frame, it was a nervous wait for him.
"There were names like Klitschko, and Fabio Wardley, and Joshua having a rematch. " he told DAZN's The Ariel x Ade Show. "It sort of went up and down [around those names].
"Every time I sort of had a positive feeling about getting the fight, these names popped up. When I did get solid information I had got the fight, I was over the moon."
Parker, who has not fought since a points win over Zhilei Zhang in March effectively sealed his return to prime contender status, says he remains in excellent shape.
"When the fight got locked in, I thought this was my second chance and opportunity to showcase what I can do in the ring, and to showcase what I’ve been working on," he added.
"A lot of fighters, when they're out of the ring do say that they’re going to be bigger, better, stronger, faster. But I do believe. There’s only one way to find out and that’s fight night."
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - 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 of 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
- List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut?
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 fight guide
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard guide
- There's no fear there!' - Tyson Fury compares Oleksandr Usyk to threat of Deontay Wilder ahead of rematch
- Fury predicts specific ending to heavyweight title rematch
- 'He has to conquer his own self first!' - Lennox Lewis offers insight into Tyson Fury
- Usyk vs. Fury 2: World champion Daniel Dubois makes prediction for rematch
- Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Bernard Hopkins makes emphatic prediction for heavyweight rematch
- Tyson Fury reveals wife suffered miscarriage on eve of Oleksandr Usyk defeat