Boxing’s Heavyweight Showdown: Fury vs. Usyk in Riyadh

Boxing’s Heavyweight Showdown: Fury vs. Usyk in Riyadh

Boxing fans, brace yourselves for a colossal clash this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The stage is set for a rematch that promises fireworks as Tyson Fury aims to reclaim his throne against Oleksandr Usyk. This bout is not just about the unified heavyweight championship; it’s a battle for supremacy between the sport’s top two big men. The action kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV, and it’s a showdown you won’t want to miss.

Usyk’s victory over Fury in May via a split decision was a defining moment in his career. It catapulted him to the top of ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, making him the undisputed champion in a second weight class. The Ukrainian had already conquered the cruiserweight division, and his triumph over Fury solidified his status as a boxing legend.

This year has been nothing short of seismic for the sport, thanks in part to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. His efforts have unified divisive factions within boxing, bringing fans the matchups they’ve longed for. As a result, ESPN’s ranking of the top 100 men’s fighters has seen significant movement, with new champions like Daniel Dubois and Sebastian Fundora making their mark.

While these rankings are subjective, they consider accomplishments, current form, talent level, potential, and the all-important eye test. Some fighters simply look the part, and that’s what makes this list so intriguing.

Let’s dive into the top contenders:

1. Oleksandr Usyk, 37, WBA/WBO/WBC heavyweight champion

Record: 22-0, 14 KOS
Last fight: May 18 – W, MD12 vs. Tyson Fury
Next fight: Dec. 21 vs. Fury
Previous ranking: No. 3

Usyk’s ascent to the top spot came after his career-defining win over Fury. To maintain his position, he’ll need to repeat that performance in the rematch. Usyk’s ability to hurt Fury was on full display in their first encounter, and if he can remain undefeated against both Fury and Anthony Joshua, his legacy will be legendary.

2. Naoya Inoue, 31, undisputed junior featherweight champion

Record: 28-0, 25 KOs
Last fight: Sept. 3 – W, TKO7 vs. TJ Doheny
Next fight: Jan. 24 vs. Sam Goodman
Previous ranking: No. 2

Inoue, known as “The Monster,” continues to dominate the 122-pound division. His blend of speed, power, and precision has earned him a place among boxing’s all-time greats. Inoue’s next challenge is against Australia’s Sam Goodman, and fans eagerly await his return to the U.S. in 2025.

3. Terence Crawford, 37, WBA junior middleweight champion

Record: 41-0, 31 KOs
Last fight: Aug. 3 – W, UD12 vs. Ismail Madrimov
Next fight: TBA
Previous ranking: No. 1

Crawford’s recent struggle against Madrimov saw him drop from the top spot. His lack of activity has been a hallmark of his career, but a potential dream fight with Canelo Alvarez could change everything. If Crawford can move up two weight classes and defeat Alvarez, it would be a monumental achievement.

4. Artur Beterbiev, 39, undisputed light heavyweight champion

Record: 21-0, 20 KOs
Last fight: Oct. 12 – W, MD12 vs. Dmitry Bivol
Next fight: Feb. 22 vs. Beterbiev
Previous ranking: No. 7

Beterbiev’s age-defying performance against Bivol showcased his enduring strength. Despite injuries, he remains a formidable force in the ring. His legacy as a first-ballot Hall of Famer is secure, and fans eagerly anticipate his rematch with Bivol.

5. Dmitry Bivol, 34, light heavyweight

Record: 23-1, 12 KOs
Last fight: Oct. 12 – L, MD12 vs. Artur Beterbiev
Next fight: Feb. 22 vs. Beterbiev
Previous ranking: No. 4

Bivol’s controversial loss to Beterbiev left fans wanting more. The rematch in Riyadh offers him a chance to even the score and secure his place among boxing’s elite. A victory would mark his second win over a future Hall of Famer, following his triumph over Canelo Alvarez in 2022.

6. Canelo Alvarez, 34, WBA/WBC/WBO super middleweight champion

Record: 62-2-2, 39 KOs
Last fight: Sept. 14 – W, UD12 vs. Edgar Berlanga
Next fight: TBA
Previous ranking: No. 5

Canelo remains boxing’s top attraction, but his 2024 campaign was underwhelming by his standards. With David Benavidez now at 175 pounds, a superfight with Terence Crawford is the most enticing option on the horizon.

7. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, 24, WBC junior bantamweight champion

Record: 21-0, 14 KOs
Last fight: Nov. 9 – TKO3 vs. Pedro Guevara
Next fight: TBA
Previous ranking: No. 11

Rodriguez has emerged as a force in the 115-pound division, following in the footsteps of Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. His 2024 campaign has been stellar, with a highlight-reel KO of Juan Francisco Estrada and a dominant win over Guevara.

8. Gervonta “Tank” Davis, 30, WBA lightweight champion

Record: 30-0, 28 KOs
Last fight: June 15 – W, KO8 vs. Frank Martin
Next fight: March 1 vs. Lamont Roach
Previous ranking: No. 8

Davis, one of boxing’s top stars, is set to defend his title against Roach in March. While the matchup may not be the most exciting, Davis’s electrifying style continues to captivate fans. A marquee opponent like Ryan Garcia could elevate his star power even further.

9. Junto Nakatani, 26, WBC bantamweight champion

Record: 29-0, 22 KOs
Last fight: – W, TKO6 vs. Petch CP Freshmart
Next fight: TBA
Previous ranking: No. 18

Nakatani’s rise in the rankings has been meteoric, and his knockout power makes him a formidable force. A potential showdown with Naoya Inoue at the Tokyo Dome could be the biggest fight in Japanese history.

10. Tyson Fury, 36, heavyweight

Record: 34-1-1, 24 KOs
Last fight: May 18 – L, SD12 vs. Oleksandr Usyk
Next fight: Dec. 21 vs. Usyk
Previous ranking: No. 10

Fury finds himself in unfamiliar territory after his first professional loss to Usyk. The rematch offers him a chance to reclaim his legacy and solidify his status as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

As we look ahead to these thrilling matchups, it’s clear that boxing is in a golden era of competition and talent. The rankings may be subjective, but they reflect the dynamic nature of the sport and the incredible athletes who continue to captivate fans worldwide.