When Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury in an epic bout in May 2024, he became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in a generation. But even as the referee raised Usyk’s arm in victory, we knew there would be a rematch. With these two all-time greats still at the height of their powers, fans are hungry to see them go mano a mano again. And so it has come to pass.

Usyk v Fury II: Reignited takes place on Saturday 21 December as the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh plays host to epic boxing extravaganza as part of Riyadh Season, a series of entertainment, cultural and sporting events in the Saudi Arabian captial. With a reported purse of £150 million on the line for the boxers, “whopping” doesn’t seem enough to describe that particular payday.

You can watch all the action unfold live on TNT Sports Box Office with Virgin Media.

After the excitement of the first event kept viewers around the world gripped till the very end, we’re expecting another classic heavyweight title fight. Here’s what you need to know.

What happened in the previous fight?

It wasn’t so much a game of two halves as a match of three thirds. Usyk took the initiative in the early stages, starting out with a positive, aggressive approach as Fury retreated, and landed a left hook in the very first round. It wasn’t until the fourth that Fury got his uppercut working but at that point the Mancunian fighter established dominance, making repeated contact with Usyk’s body and face. All three judges scored the fifth, sixth and seventh in favour of Fury.

But after that, it was all about Usyk. After a couple of facial impacts bothered Fury in the eighth round, the Ukrainian landed more than a dozen unanswered blows in the ninth, leaving his opponent wobbling and facing a standing eight count. Fury never really recovered, and although one judge considered him the overall winner, the decision went Usyk’s way and he claimed Fury’s WBC belt.

What happened next?

“Undisputed heavyweight champion of the world” might be the most coveted title in boxing, but Usyk held it for only a matter of weeks. As IBF champ, he was obliged to face the mandatory IBF challenger, Daniel Dubois, but another bout against Fury was much more appealing – and, let’s be honest, more lucrative. So he vacated the IBF championship and the rematch was on.

For his part, Fury never had any doubts that there would be a rematch, or that he deserved it. He conceded that the ninth round was probably decisive and said “fair play” to Usyk for the win, but insisted the final judging wasn’t correct: “I’ve scored it loads of times as well, individually, and I never, ever give him the decision, ever.” He wants revenge, and this Saturday gives him the chance.

What have they been saying?

The contrast between the two, once again, has been stark. The ever-garrulous Fury has had plenty to say, in addition to his assertion that he won the first match-up. No surprises to learn he thinks he’ll win this one too. “My rematches with people, I always end up knocking them out, so I’m envisaging something similar in the second fight against Usyk. Nothing drastic has to change – a bit more of the same, a little bit more focus and I will be victorious.”

Despite his reservations about the judging, Fury was sanguine about the previous result. “I’m very happy Usyk got the decision because God’s timing is not late, it’s not imperfect, it’s perfection. That was meant to be and we’re going to find out what’s meant to be on 21 December. I believe it will be my time this time.”

To say Usyk is taciturn in comparison would be a serious understatement. He largely let his manager Egis Kilmas do the talking at the press conference. However, he did turn up with a shaved head, wearing a black suit and red tie, styled like the protagonist of the video game Hitman. Why? “It’s just character,” he said, enigmatically. He also produced a photo of himself punching Fury in the face and asked his opponent to sign it, to general amusement, including Fury’s.

Who’s the favourite?

According to Fury, it’s Usyk. “It’s been four and a half years since I was the underdog, in the first Deontay Wilder fight,” he said, implying that he’s the outsider here – although he made it clear that that means nothing to him. Usyk’s response? “I’m very happy to be here.” Can no one get that guy to stop talking?!

Former two-weight champ Bernard Hopkins favours the Ukrainian too. “I think the smaller guy is really the big guy in heart and the big guy in talent,” he told online channel Fight Hub TV. “I believe Usyk has [Fury’s] number, and he’s not a big heavyweight, which helps him in this particular fight. I just think he has the IQ that Tyson Fury won’t be able to withstand as time or rounds go on.”

Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champ before Usyk, said Fury can win – although he didn’t sound entirely convinced on the BBC’s 5 Live Boxing podcast. “He needs to do a lot more… He has to conquer his own self first. He’s been through these things before so I think he can do it because he knows what to do. He just needs to put in the work.”

How do they measure up?

Who’s on the undercard?

There’s a European super-bantamweight title fight between the champ Dennis McCann – like Fury, an English-born fighter from an Irish Traveller family – and Peter McGrail. Hotly tipped 19-year-old heavyweight Moses Itauma faces the experienced Australian Demsey McKean, while at the same weight there’s an all-English clash between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen. Directly before the main event, Leeds fighter Ishmael Davis takes on Usyk’s compatriot Serhii Bohachuk in a light middleweight bout.

What’s next?

Last time, we all knew it’d be a rematch. This time it’s less clear. The victor might get another chance to become undisputed champion with a bout against IBF champ Dubois, although the latter will have to get past challenger Joseph Parker first. Anthony Joshua may still harbour hopes of a shot against the champ. Win or lose, Fury might even retire (again).

But we wouldn’t bet against a third Usyk v Fury showdown sometime in 2025…

When is Usyk v Fury II: Reignited on TV?

You can see this heavyweight fight on TNT Sports Box Office with Virgin Media from 4pm on Saturday 21 December. It’s available to order from 10am on Tuesday 17 December and costs £24.99 (HD only). The event is repeated every two hours from 8am on Sunday 22 December until 10pm on Monday 23 December (last playout).

How can I order the fight?

To watch this event, you must have a TiVo^® box, Virgin TV V6 box (powered by TiVo^®), a Virgin TV 360 box or Stream box.

Customers with our TiVo and V6 boxes: Go to Home > On Demand > Live Events or press On Demand and go to Live Events. Press the red button then choose the event and follow the instructions on screen. A TV PIN may not be required. To view your booking, once purchased, go to On Demand > Live Events > Event Bookings.

Customers with our 360 or Stream boxes: Go to Home > Pay Per View events rail. Press OK, then choose the event and follow the instructions on screen. A TV PIN may not be required. To view your booking, once purchased, go to Home > Pay Per View events rail.