The rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been set for this winter, according to the latest update from Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority.
Fury and Usyk finally held their highly-anticipated bout earlier this month after what felt like an eternity of ‘will they won’t they?’, a fight which ended in the Ukrainian delivering the Manc boxer’s first-ever professional defeat and becoming the first undisputed heavyweight in 24 years.
However, with the new unified champion having won the match via a split decision, Fury was quick to insist that he believed he should have been named as the victor, even going so far as to suggest that the judges let their sympathies for the war in Ukraine affect the final decision.
In truth, there was also a rematch clause built into the contract, so the announcement of Fury vs Usyk II itself comes as no surprise, but now we look to have an official date for the fight already.
BREAKING: Rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury confirmed for December 21st in Saudi Arabia 🚨 pic.twitter.com/RajBxtPYwa
As per Saudi official Turki Alalshikh, who shared the news on his own social media, the second bout will take place during the festive period, with the next instalment of what will likely go on to be a trilogy of fights scheduled for 21 December 2024.
Alalshikh went on to add: “The world will watch another historical fight again. Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”
With Usyk remaining unbeaten in all of his 22 professional fights at the age of 37, many argued he was well within his right to retire as an undefeated champ like many other boxers coming towards the end of their career, however, it seems that another edition of Riyadh Season will be arriving later this year.
As the official state-run entertainment festival and programme for Saudia Arabia and boxers receiving big paydays to host fights in the Middle East, you can expect many other blockbuster fights to take place in the Gulf state for the foreseeable future too.
While neither camp has yet come out to confirm the fight has been agreed upon or shared any form of update/announcement, but with the host nation itself seemingly giving the green light publicly, it looks to be a done deal.
That being said, we all know how many times these two called off previous scheduled dates for the long-awaited boxing match so don’t be too surprised if the date gets pushed back somehow – though a big fight just before Christmas does sound like a nice early gift.
Do you think Fury can bounce back to win all four belts, or will Usyk once again prove himself to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time?
Why you should be glad Tom Aspinall has said no to a UFC fight at The White House
Danny Jones
In this industry, you can get used to wearing some pretty strange-sounding headlines, but we still had to double-take when we saw the headlines that the UFC is set to hold an event at The White House (yes, really) – even more so when we saw local name Tom Aspinall linked.
You know, as in the home of the actual President of the United States…
While UFC boss Dana White has stated that “it is definitely going to happen”, revealing that he has already met with Donald Trump, one of the UFC’s biggest stars and Manchester’s very own heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, says he has no interest. More importantly, he says you shouldn’t either.
Appearing on Canadian journalist Ariel Helwani’s mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling-focused podcast, The AH Show, Aspinall discussed everything from his next bout against French fighter Ciryl Gane, beef between coaches and much more.
However, the pair couldn’t possibly have skipped over the topic on everyone’s lips in the fight world and, indeed, beyond, after President Trump announced that he would be bringing the UFC to what is, for all intents and purposes, the most famous seat of power in the world.
As you can see in the clip above, the Atherton-born and Salford-raised sportsman barely even gave the notion much time of day at all, quickly expressing his ‘boredom’ over talking about it.
Regardless, Helwani did manage to get a clear response from ‘The Honey Badger’, who said: “It has spent zero seconds in my mind. I’m not interested, mate. Not interested, and the world shouldn’t be interested either, because what’s the point? That’s false hope.”
Once again, while both Trump and Dana White insist an official UFC event will go ahead, slating none other than the annual 4 July celebrations as the desired date on the 250th anniversary of the nation’s unification, it still seems like a surreal sentence to even say out loud for most people.
🇺🇸 President Donald Trump says he will host a UFC fight at the White House as part of the America 250 celebration 👀
"We're gonna have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House… championship fight."pic.twitter.com/ouTttg1NPz
Now, while the Manc MMA fighter (who recently became the undisputed champion in his division following fight legend Jon Jones’ retirement) begins by dismissing the idea, he goes on to admit via double negative that the idea “doesn’t not interest [him]” and would be a “cool experience”.
Whether or not he means in the future, perhaps under a different POTUS’ regime, or simply doubts that the deal will even come off at this early stage, who knows?
He might have also just been referring to his doubts that the former three-time champ Jon Jones’ self-proclaimed return to the testing pool just weeks after retiring will amount to anything material, let alone in time for this particular date; even Dana White himself has said the likelihood is “a billion to one“.
First and foremost, Apsinall explains that he believes that “the Americans [fighting in the UFC] should get the shot at the White House” as they obviously have a much more vested interest in the concept and sense of appeal when it comes to utilising it as the latest historic, albeit unorthodox, sporting venue.
Interestingly, he does confess that he neither knows nor cares very little about US politics, stating: “I’m not really a big Trump supporter or against Trump […] I don’t live there, I don’t reside there, I don’t do anything there, apart from pay taxes and fight there. Really, all of that stuff is irrelevant to me.”
However, his minor caveat was that he has no ‘particular’ interest in the proposal and only really reiterated that he’s “not bothered” about when or where it happens, stating simply that he’ll “fight anywhere.”
The White House under the lights on fight night would be quite the sight, there’s no denying that. (Credit: Rob Young via Flickr)
You could argue that the current world number two UFC heavyweight is being careful in his choice of words, playing the bipartisan role ever so carefully so as not to jeopardise his own future in a sport that predominantly revolves around North America.
After all, recent developments in the media world alone would suggest that the Trump administration could make his time working and competing in the US more difficult than it would otherwise be if he made an outwardly public and definitive stance against the mercurial and controversial statesman.
And that’s putting it mildly.
On the other hand, his words could be quite literally taken at face value: he may not care one bit about the rather divisive political climate in America; he is just an athlete who’s making a living has nothing to do with Democrats vs Republicans.
Nevertheless, it seems fairly significant that Aspinall rubbished what are still just unofficial, though admittedly very loud and public, rumours put forward by the two relevant leadership figures involved in these ongoing developments, especially given that the Wigan warrior is currently at the top of his game.
You can see his AH Show interview in full down below.
He may be too wise to say it out loud, but we’d wager Aspinall knows backing a UFC fight at The White House is bad for business.
Given that Donald Trump is known to be an avid fight fan – having famously backed and hosted the 1988 Tyson fight at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, later going to be pictured shaking ‘Iron Mike’s hand at UFC 316 back in June – there could be a chance of the two interacting somewhat closely.
With that in mind, even if this isn’t Aspinall cleverly and indirectly distancing himself from the President, some might say he is at least trying to urge others to hopefully prevent the sport from drifting into the same muddy waters that other modern combat sports have.
As time goes on, boxing in particular seems to be coming more and more about the paegantry and finding new ways of marketing one of the world’s oldest and most primal contests; celebrities entering the ring and YouTube/influencer boxers being the prime example.
The fight world has always been about spectacle, but many would argue it’s become increasingly style over substance in recent years, given the advent of social media, not to mention the line between exhibition and genuine competition becoming increasingly blurred.
Despite their stars remaining underpaid in comparison to headline boxers, MMA has always prided itself on being brutally itself, and whatever you make of it as it continues to grow both commercially and in terms of popularity, personally, we believe people like Tom Aspinall are trying to keep it honest.
Steering clear of not just politics but the same Hollywood trappings and overly spectacular, money-driven, entertainment-for-profit-first focus that often plagues present-day boxing is a wise step, no matter how Jon Jones suddenly wants to join in the hard sell.
Despite the odds, I’m still training and optimistic about the possibility of being part of the White House event. At the end of the day, Dana is the boss and it’s his call whether I compete that night or not. I do know Dana was really excited about the fight, and the door hasn’t…
Salford Red Devils have assured that their next game will ‘go ahead as scheduled’
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have assured their supporters that their next game is set to go ahead as planned following the cancellation of their previous match over the weekend.
The local rugby league club is set to take on fellow Greater Manchester outfit Leigh Leopards this Friday, but there remain lingering doubts as to whether or not this latest fixture will be played either.
Nevertheless, Salford Red Devils have now issued a statement assuring those watching Super League round 23 at home and, more importantly, those travelling to nearby Wigan for the clash that “will go ahead as scheduled.”
Then again, the meeting against Wakefield Trinity RLFC was only called off two days prior, so many are still opting for a ‘touch wood’ mentality.
Sharing a statement on social media at the start of the week, the Red Devils said: “We can confirm this Friday’s Betfred Super League Round 23 clash between Leigh Leopards and Salford Red Devils will go ahead as scheduled.
“The Club, in consultation with the Rugby Football League (RFL), RL Commercial and Rugby League Cares, reluctantly decided to cancel last Sunday’s scheduled fixture versus Wakefield Trinity due to significant concerns regarding player welfare.
“However, with first-grade players back from injury this week, and others with Super League experience set to join on loan, this Friday’s fixture will proceed as planned.
“Your support this season has been incredible, both at home and on the road – thank you for backing the boys in such a tough period.”
While there were no issues on Wakefield’s end last Sunday, 17 August, it was made apparent that the home tie simply had to be cancelled, as the Salford side were effectively unable to raise a team.
Only two players were said to be actually available for the match, with the Devils having to depend on loanees for others in the division to stay afloat following several individuals departing this year.
So much passion as fans of Salford Red Devils came together to peacefully protest against the owners of the club.
Pretty special to also see supporters of rivals Wigan, Warrington & Widnes here to support the rugby league community ❤️
— Nick Hope – the athlete’s journalist (@NickHopeTV) August 17, 2025
Against the backdrop of yet more woe for the 125-year-old organisation, more than 500 fans decided to march outside the ground – led by passionate supporters group, The 1873 – with a clear message regarding problematic ownership and their equally ever-troublesome finances: “enough is enough.”
The board insist that the recent and increasingly decisive decision-making hasn’t been “taken lightly”, but the climate around the Salford Community Stadium is nevertheless turbulent, with some deeply distressing claims being made behind the scenes.
Perhaps one of the most alarming allegations came on Thursday, 14 August, when now former COO (chief operating officer) Claire Bradbury resigned within less than a year with the Devils after an ownership figure suggested she “sleep with someone at the RFL” to help their struggles.
She shared details of incidents in a lengthy open letter via LinkedIn; we sincerely hope the toxicity and lingering air of uncertainty abate soon, not just for the fans’ sake, but for the evidently long-suffering staff and everyone who has kept the club going this long.
Danny Jones -
29th May 2024 
