The Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight has reportedly been agreed, according to the Mancunian boxer’s American promoter, with an early 2023 date set to be announced soon.
Bob Arum of Top Rank – the company that represents Fury in the US – told Sky Sports on Wednesday, 21 December that “the two fighters have agreed to fight each other next” following the 34-year-old’s most recent trilogy fight against Derek Chisora, sealing yet another victory.
Taking aim at Anthony Joshua, Arum said that “With Fury and Usyk we’re dealing with two adults, not a lot of [rubbish] back and forth”, adding that he’s “very confident” the match-up will go ahead without any interim fights
For the longest time, the hope was that The Gypsy King would face off against Joshua in the much-anticipated all-British bout. However, after lots of ‘will they won’t they’ and AJ’s second defeat to Usyk in his August rematch, the appetite seems to have dwindled. Now, this is all fight fans seem to want:
Arum went on to insist that Usyk is a ‘good friend’, describing the Ukrainian as “very intelligent and Tyson [as] Superman, both as an athlete and as an intellect.”
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The promoter said that the only details left to firm up are the date and the venue, though he assured that the fight is definite and “will happen in the first four months of next year.” That’s what we like to hear.
As for where it will be held, despite numerous offers from the Middle East, he said that both camps are excited by the prospect of meeting on the world heavyweight champion’s home turf, admitting that “to go back to Wembley… before 95,000 people really stirs up the blood.”
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Despite Fury previously calling out his opposite number and suggesting that, like AJ, Usyk was too scared to fight him, it would seem the 35-year-old is more than up for the task He shared this just a few days ago:
So, it looks like we’ll be getting Fury vs Usyk early next year and, fingers crossed, on British soil. The atmosphere will no doubt be electric.
We can only hope this fight goes ahead as planned and doesn’t fall into the same trap AJ vs Fury did before fans lose patience and interest.
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Can Tyson take that final step towards unification before he ‘retires’ once again or will Usyk finally be the one to finally challenge the boxing juggernaut and dish out his first loss?
Featured Image — BT Sport/Tyson Fury/Oleksandr Usyk (via Instagram)
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Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
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Academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving Manchester City on a permanent transfer
Danny Jones
Manchester City youth academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving the club after sealing a move to Fulham FC.
Despite plenty of loan interest throughout the January transfer window, the Man City attacker has secured a switch to the in-form West London team on a permanent basis.
Bobb looked increasingly likely to leave in some capacity following the arrival of another winger in the form of instant hit, Antoine Semenyo, but it now looks as though his departure is all but confirmed, bar an imminent official announcement.
As reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement has now been reached between the two clubs pending a full medical today (Thursday, 29 January).
According to Romano, Fulham will pay Man City approximately £27 million for Bobb’s services, who becomes the latest addition in what has already been a fairly busy period of recruitment.
He goes on to add that “City also mantain [a] 20% sell-on clause, matching rights and future control on the player based on his decision.”
There is no suggestion of a buy-back clause at this time, but given his age and having already made a fair few appearances for Pep Guardiola‘s first team, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to see him return to the club one day.
Bobb also arrives at Craven Cottage following the exit of multiple wingers and offensive options, including Adama Traore, ex-Man United product Andreas Pereira and Arsenal youngster, Reiss Nelson, whose loan deal has expired and has signed another temporary deal at local rivals, Brentford.
Had it not been for that injury I know he would’ve been class for City for a long time, and let’s not forget that goal v Newcastle pic.twitter.com/inGxi5UjPM
The young Norwegian winger joined the Etihad Campus back in 2023 and went on to contribute a handful of goals and assists, despite limited appearances and some very unfortunate injury issues.
Only seven months ago, his soon-to-be former parent club released a short video charting his return from the sidelines after fracturing his leg – a setback which kept him out for roughly five months.
Plenty of fans have quickly placed him in the so-called ‘what if?’ category of players, and given that he’s still just 22 years old and has already impressed on a number of ocassions for such a big club, we wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on to have a very exciting career.
Can you see the Blues bringing in or letting anyone else go before deadline day?
Danny Jones -
21st December 2022 
