Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in a heavyweight clash for the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office; ring walks in Saudi Arabia expected around 11pm UK and Ireland time; see price and booking details
Saturday 18 May 2024 23:30, UK
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet on Saturday in a hotly-anticipated fight that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. Here's all you need to know about the Sky Sports Box Office showdown.
Fury and Usyk will meet in a 12-round heavyweight clash on Saturday May 18 with the ring walks for the main event expected at 11pm UK time - 1am on Sunday, May 19 in Saudi Arabia time.
Coverage of the build-up begins at 4pm UK time on Sky Sports Box Office with two hours of the undercard on Sky Sports Action from 4pm.
The clash will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The same venue held the blockbuster heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou in March 2024.
The event is priced at £24.95 for Sky customers in the UK, €27.95 for Sky (and Virgin Media) customers in the Republic of Ireland up until midnight on Friday May 17.
Thereafter £24.95/€27.95 across all "self-service" bookings (remote control/online) or £29.95/€32.95 if booked via the phone (either IVR or agent) but note an additional £2 booking fee if via an agent will apply.
The event price will revert back to £24.95/€27.95 (ROI) from midnight Saturday, May 18.
The undefeated Joe Cordina will defend his IBF super-featherweight title when he faces Anthony Cacace. Cordina has a record of 17 wins, zero losses and zero draws, nine of those victories came by way of knockout. Cacace will make his way to the ring with a record of 21 wins, one loss, zero draws and seven knockouts.
Fury will have a near three-stone weight advantage over Usyk on Saturday night.
On Friday night in Riyadh, at 262lbs (18st 10lbs) Fury was significantly lighter for this contest than his last fight.
Usyk has weighed in at a career-heaviest 223lbs (15st 13lbs). There was confusion following the weigh-in after the Ukrainian had originally been announced 10lbs heavier at 233lbs.
Both heavyweights kept it simple at the final press conference on Thursday evening.
Fury said: "I want to thank Usyk for challenging me. I aim to put on a show.
"I'm ready. Got nothing to say, apart from I'm ready for a good fight and if it's tough or easy, either way I'm ready."
Usyk said he was "excited" and "grateful" and declared "let your hands talk in the ring".
Fury is the current WBC heavyweight champion of the world. In his last bout, Fury rose from the canvas to narrowly beat former UFC champion Ngannou on a split decision in what was the Cameroonian's professional debut.
Usyk remains undefeated in his professional career and has yet to be beaten since switching from cruiserweight where he was the undisputed champion. The Ukrainian comfortably beat Joshua in their two heavyweight showdowns in September 2021 and August 2022. In his last fight, Usyk retained his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles when he stopped Daniel Dubois in the ninth round.
Fury is the slight favourite at 5/6 ahead of Usyk at 11/10 in the main winner market from Sky Bet. Fury is rated 3/1 to win by KO/TKO and 2/1 by decision, with Usyk rated 5/1 to win by knockout and 7/4 by decision. The draw is a 12/1 shot.
(Odds at May 17)
Tyson Fury:
"It's not personal. It's strictly business for both fighters. There's a lot of stuff on the line, but I don't hate him. I respect him as a man, as a fighter. Anyone would have to respect the man's achievements. He's unified heavyweight champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion.
"I'm the best. I'm just defending my 'best-ness' against him. We have weight divisions for a reason. When the cruiserweights step up to the big boys, usually they get found wanting. You can beat the average big ones, but you can't beat the elite big ones because size really matters. These are facts."
Oleksandr Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk:
"It's the fight of a lifetime. The whole world is waiting for it. Let's pray for Tyson and expect that the guy enters the ring.
"I can tell you about the secret weapon of Usyk's, the only problem is it's not a secret. His weapon is his mind, his heart, his experience and boxing skills. And the main thing about him that is different from Tyson Fury is his discipline. That is what makes him great and it is his toughest weapon."
It's one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the fight now.
