Fury-Usyk to Have a Two-Way Rematch Clause

As we reported on Tuesday, Eddie Hearn leaked a rumor about the Fury vs Usyk Undisputed Heavyweight title fight having a rematch clause for both fighters. Well it’s now looking like that’s more than just a rumor as multiple sources have confirmed that the battle for heavyweight supremacy got a lot more interesting. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are likely to fight not once, but twice.

The agreed upon deal for their undisputed heavyweight championship fight contains a two-way rematch clause that will grant the loser of the matchup the opportunity to call for a return bout. If a rematch is called upon, it will be difficult for the victor to hold all four titles due to conflicting obligations from the four sanctioning bodies.

This past week the IBF sent a letter to the involved parties that clarifies that the winner of Fury-Usyk must make a mandatory defense against their number one ranked contender, Flip Hrgovic (16 – 0, 13 KO), with no intervening bouts, and that no exceptions will be granted by the organization.

In short, this means that if an immediate rematch is to take place, the IBF belt will not be on the line.

“The IBF has now allowed Tyson Fury and Usyk to do a unification first. The winner of that fight is mandated to fight me immediately after with no other intervening fight, so I expect to fight for the heavyweight championship early next year,” claimed Hrgovic.

Despite the IBF’s mandate for a mandatory defense, you will be hard pressed to find too many fans disappointed in the prospect of Fury-Usyk taking place twice given the lengthy negotiations that have taken place thus far.