General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki Alalshikh has announced the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury to occur on December 21st. With Alalshikh being regarded as the main benefactor to all of the latest blockbuster fights in Saudi Arabia, including the May 18th undisputed heavyweight bout between Usyk and Fury, his announcement can be regarded as an official confirmation of the rematch.
Through a post on social media, GEA head Turki Alalshikh expressed his excitement as he announced a date for the rematch between Ukrainian undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KO’s) and British former world champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KO’s).
“The rematch between the undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and the [former] champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on the 21 of December 2024 during Riyadh Season,” Alalshikh stated on Twitter/X. “The world will watch another historical fight again. Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.“
As Turki Alalshikh indicated, the Usyk-Fury rematch will coincide on December 21st with Riyadh Season; an annual state-funded sports and entertainment festival meant to promote Saudi Arabia as an attractive tourism destination.
The announcement by Alalshikh can be interpreted as the Saudi government official asserting his dominance over the boxing landscape, with the announcement of important boxing fights usually―and initially―made by promotional outfits themselves.
The GEA’s role in producing highly competitive or entertaining fights within boxing cannot be understated, with Turki Alalshikh having been the front most figure in boxing to help create long-awaited or significant bouts―attributed to a vast pool of wealth that has allowed GEA to compensate fighters better while simultaneously taking on all the financial burdens available. AS a result, GEA chairman Turki Alalshikh has managed to band several promotions to work together, culminating in several notable events occurring including the star-studded Day of Reckoning card held last December, and the recently-held undisputed heavyweight bout between Usyk and Fury.
Upcoming Saturday, June 1st, will see another GEA-sponsored card will be taking place as Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions go head-to-head by pitting five fighters of their stable against the other promotion’s five fighters.
Dates for the launch press conference of the heavyweight rematch as well as the pre-match press conference and weigh-in will likely be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
More significantly, there has not yet been word on whether Oleksandr Usyk will be stripped of his IBF title as was expected after he failed to face IBF mandatory challenger and interim champion Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KO’s) for approximately two years. While Usyk has reportedly launched a petition with the IBF to enable him to keep his IBF title, a decision on this matter has not yet been forthcoming.
