Oleksandr Usyk (20-0-0, 13 KO) has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia-based promoter Skill Challenge Promotions for several bouts. The Ukrainian, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, already had his last fight, the rematch with Anthony Joshua (25-3-0, 22 KO) in Jeddah, in the Middle Eastern country. The promoter is linked to the Prince Khaled bin Abdul Azizwho is very interested in bring the best fights with the best boxers to your country.
Saudi Arabia is making a name for itself in the world of sports and is increasingly bringing more renowned stars to compete in its lands. Cristiano Ronaldo signed for the Al-Nassr Saudi Club Al-Riyad soccer team, and now they want to bring the best boxers to fight there. the promoter Skill Challenge Promotionslinked to Prince Khaled bin AbdulAziz, has managed to sign its first big name in the world of boxing: Oleksandr Usik. The Ukrainian has signed a agreement to carry out several combats in the middle eastern country. They have a final objective: the unification of the division with Tyson Fury (WBC heavyweight champion).
The Ukrainian has already fought in Saudi Arabia. It was precisely in his last fight, the rematch with Anthony Joshua. Usyk snatched the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts from the Briton in September 2021 at Tottenham’s stadium, before the gaze of 60,000 spectators. He prevailed by unanimous decision in a fight that left no room for doubt. The fans were delighted, and that invited a rematch. In August 2022 and with the belts back at stake (plus the IBO and The Ring that Tyson Fury vacated), Usyk and Joshua got back into the ring, but this time it was in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. There the Ukrainian once again demonstrated his superiority, retaining his titles by split decision.
It is not the first major combat that has taken place in the Middle Eastern country. Anthony Joshua already fought in Diriyah with Andy Ruiz, where he got revenge after losing his undefeated seventh-round TKO in their first bout. The media evening starring Jake Paul and Tommy Fury, Tyson Fury’s brother, was also held there, which cost the youtuber undefeated.