Tumininu Yussuf

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated rematches in boxing history; The Usyk vs Fury Rematch

On May 18, Oleksandr Usyk made history in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by defeating Tyson Fury in a thrilling split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

It was the first time in 25 years that the heavyweight division had a true, unified king.

Now, after a highly competitive first bout, the two fighters are back to settle the score—and answer the lingering questions that still haunt fans and analysts alike.

The Fight: What to Expect

This Saturday, December 21, the heavyweights will face off again at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with the world watching to see whether Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) can cement his legacy as the best boxer of his generation or if Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) will bounce back from the only loss of his career and regain his titles.

With Usyk’s three remaining belts—the WBA, WBO, and WBC—on the line, the stakes are as high as ever.

Fury, who relinquished his IBF title earlier this year to Daniel Dubois, will be desperate to avenge the split decision loss and reclaim his position atop the heavyweight throne.

Usyk vs Fury Rematch Key Details

• Date: Saturday, December 21
• Event Start: 4 p.m. GMT (11 a.m. ET)
• Main Event Ring Walk: 10 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. ET)
• Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• How to Watch: Pay-per-view across Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the U.K., DAZN in the U.K. and U.S., and live updates on ESPN.

What Happened Last Time?

The first fight was nothing short of dramatic. Usyk scored a knockdown in Round 9, and despite Fury’s attempts to mount a comeback, including winning Round 12 on all three scorecards, the Ukrainian ultimately won by split decision.

Judge Craig Metcalfe had the fight 114-113 for Fury, while Manuel Oliver Palermo scored it 115-112 for Usyk, and Mike Fitzgerald saw it 114-113 in favor of the Ukrainian.

Despite Fury’s early dominance, particularly in Rounds 5-7, Usyk’s resilience, accuracy, and timing in the latter rounds swung the fight in his favor.

The knockdown in Round 9, when Fury appeared to be badly shaken, was a pivotal moment—one that has been etched into the minds of fans and analysts alike.

Fury admitted afterward that his showmanship and occasional lapses in focus may have cost him the fight, but he also praised Usyk for his excellent performance.

Fury’s ability to recover and fight to the end, particularly in Round 12, further highlighted the gritty nature of the contest.

Usyk, too, was visibly battered, underlining just how brutal the fight had been.

Rematch Stats and What’s at Stake

Usyk outlanded Fury by a significant margin, with 170 punches landed to Fury’s 157—making him the first fighter to land more punches than Fury in a bout.

The Round 9 knockdown was just the eighth time in Fury’s career that he had hit the canvas, a rare moment for the once-untouchable champion.

Usyk’s victory in May also made him the third fighter in the four-belt era to become undisputed in two weight classes, joining the ranks of Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.

A rematch win would cement his status as one of boxing’s modern greats.

The Undercard

While the focus will undoubtedly be on the heavyweight clash, the undercard is stacked with talent and promise:

• Light Middleweight: Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) vs. Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs)
• Heavyweight: Moses Itauma (10-0, 8 KOs) vs. Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs)
• Heavyweight: Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) vs. David Allen (23-6-2, 18 KOs)
• Featherweight: Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) vs. Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs)

The Big Questions

• Can Usyk prove his victory was no fluke? His win over Fury in May showcased his technical brilliance, but will he be able to replicate that performance under the pressure of a rematch?
• Is Fury truly vulnerable? The knockdown in Round 9 and his first career loss may have shaken Fury’s confidence, but we’ve seen the “Gypsy King” defy the odds before. Can he bounce back and reclaim his titles?

This rematch promises to deliver fireworks as Usyk and Fury battle it out for the undisputed heavyweight crown once again.

Fans are eager to see whether Usyk can repeat his historic victory or if Fury will prove that his first loss was just a blip in an otherwise legendary career.

Don’t Miss It

The stage is set. The fighters are ready. The world waits.

The heavyweight title is on the line, and history is poised to be made again in Riyadh.

Be sure to tune in for this epic showdown.

In what is being hailed as the most expensive deal in professional sports history, Juan Soto has signed a staggering £600 million contract with the New York Mets.

Spanning 15 years, the deal shatters records and secures the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder’s future in the Major Leagues until 2039, by which time he will be 41.

However, behind the headlines and the eye-watering figures lies a story of fierce competition, fan discontent, and the business of baseball at its most lucrative.

The Rise of Juan Soto

A name that resonates across baseball, Soto’s journey to superstardom has been nothing short of intriguing.

After debuting in the Major Leagues in 2018 with the Washington Nationals, Soto quickly established himself as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

With a sharp eye for the ball and an unparalleled ability to drive it out of the park, he hit 22 home runs in his rookie year, an omen of greatness.

His power and consistency continued at the San Diego Padres, and most recently, the New York Yankees, where Soto’s performance in the 2024 season was electric.

He finished as the second-highest run scorer in the MLB (128) and hit 30 home runs, proving his value.

A .313 batting average in the World Series solidified his reputation as a postseason performer, and his five consecutive Silver Slugger awards confirmed him as one of the league’s best offensive players.

Yet it’s his off-season move to the Mets, the final chapter of his 2024 contract with the Yankees, that has caused a stir.

The Record-Breaking Deal

Soto’s £600 million contract dwarfs the previous record held by Shohei Ohtani’s £557 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed just a year earlier.

The sheer size of Soto’s deal—stretching over 15 years—has made waves not only in baseball but across all professional sports.

However, the contract’s value isn’t necessarily tied to the annual salary. Soto will earn £40 million per year, a far cry from other top athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes £177 million annually with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.

The reason for the extraordinary sum? Soto entered free agency after the 2024 season, and with multiple franchises— including the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Red Sox—jostling for his signature, his market value skyrocketed.

The Mets ultimately secured the deal, though not without some controversy.

The Controversial Move and the Yankees’ Grievance

For many, the most contentious aspect of the deal is Soto’s decision to leave the Yankees, who reportedly offered £595 million to retain him.

With the Mets and Yankees being two of baseball’s most iconic teams, the rivalry between the two is steeped in history.

The Mets, who belong to the National League, and the Yankees of the American League, have long been at odds, with the two clubs’ cross-town matchups stoking fierce competition among their fanbases.

The move has been met with outrage by many Yankees supporters, some of whom burned Soto’s jerseys in protest.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lamented the Mets’ success in securing the coveted player.

Juan Soto, for his part, insisted that the “vibes, feel, and future” of the Mets played a crucial role in his decision, but his words have done little to quell the anger of his former fans.

The Business of Baseball: Why So Much?

The colossal sum involved in Soto’s contract can be partially explained by the financial ecosystem of Major League Baseball.

Unlike other U.S. professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL, MLB has no salary cap, meaning there is no limit to how much a team can spend on player wages.

The league’s lucrative revenue streams—ticket sales, broadcast deals, sponsorships, and merchandise—funnel massive amounts of money into franchises.

The average MLB team is valued at $2.4 billion, with the Yankees alone valued at $7.55 billion.

But it’s not just the size of the deal that makes it exceptional—it’s the length. Long-term contracts like Soto’s have become more common in MLB, particularly for superstar players.

Big contracts help secure a team’s future, and by stretching the payout over years, they allow teams to manage the competitive balance tax—basically a luxury tax for teams that exceed payroll thresholds.

Teams like the Mets have found this approach beneficial for both financial flexibility and player retention.

Looking Ahead: Soto’s Future and Baseball’s Changing Landscape

Soto’s move to the Mets is more than just a record-breaking contract.

It signals a shift in baseball’s financial landscape—where long-term investments are becoming more common, and teams are willing to spend staggering amounts to secure talent for decades.

While fans may argue over whether such large contracts are justified, what remains undeniable is the growing power of MLB’s financial muscle.

Juan Soto, for now, is set to remain one of baseball’s brightest stars, with his enormous contract ensuring his place in the game’s history.

Whether the Mets will reap the rewards of their investment, however, remains to be seen.

Given the volatility of player health and performance, only time will tell if this £600 million gamble will pay off.

Sergio Perez’s time at Red Bull has come to an end, two years before the expiration of his contract.

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