Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia and the heavyweight pair have seen their drug tests come back clean with a rematch date already set for later this year
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk both had their drug tests come back clean after WADA conducted their usual tests following their heavyweight bout.
The duo went at it in Saudi Arabia recently with the Ukrainian coming out on top to unify the heavyweight division. WADA came in afterwards as is standard practice and both fighters have delivered clear results – not that it was ever doubted.
Usyk completed his sensational journey after stepping up from cruiserweight to heavyweight. He had twice seen off Anthony Joshua previously and upset the odds to deal Fury his first defeat as a professional, winning on points.
Already the pair have had their rematch confirmed with Turki Alalshikh stating he would take place on December 21. “The world will watch another historical fight again,” he said on social media. “Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”
Alashikh did not name a venue or destination for the rematch but claimed it would take place “during Riyadh Season”. Riyadh Season is an entertainment festival which takes place every winter following its launch in 2019 – it has hosted a number of high profile boxing events.
Usyk said after his victory: “Thank you so much for my team. It’s a big opportunity for my family, for my country. I’m very happy. My people will be very happy I think, it’s a big win, not only for me, it’s a big win for my country, for soldiers who now defend my country. I think my father now is watching over me and is very happy. Dad, I love you. I can, you told me I can.”
Fury though felt that the decision from the judge should have gone his way. He claimed: “I believe I won that fight. I believe he won a few rounds but I won more of them.
He went on to say: “Make no mistake I won that fight and I’ll be back. We go back to our families and we run it back in October. I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses.”
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk was already entertaining talk of a rematch after the landmark victory. “Yeah of course. I am ready for rematch,” he said.
He also added: “I’m exhausted, I was backing Usyk the whole fight. No disrespect to the referee, I think he stopped the KO in the ninth. It was a tremendous performance, something unbelievable. I hope to see more in the rematch.”