WBC pushed for radical Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 rule change that would have huge impact on fight
Usyk vs Fury 2 takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21.
The WBC have pushed for a major rule change to the upcoming fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Usyk and Fury will do battle for a second time in 2024 on December 21, with the fight taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk handed the ‘Gypsy King’ his first ever loss at professional level during their first bout in May, with the judges awarding victory to the Ukrainian via split decision after 12 rounds and thus crowning him as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
After the bout, Fury claimed he won the ‘majority’ of the rounds and vowed to invoke his rematch clause, with the official date for the second fight being confirmed earlier this month.
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It will be contested under standard boxing rules – although the WBC wanted a significant change to be brought in for the fight.
Prior to the first bout between the pair, one of the four major boxing organisations requested that video replays be implemented in Riyadh.
The WBC were permitted to review incidents during and after the fight, but the other three major bodies decided not to use it.
It was claimed that the those three bodies – the IBF, WBA and WBO – would likely not have acknowledged a decision being overturned using replay by the WBC.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in action in Riyadh in May (Image: Getty)
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told talkSPORT earlier this year: “The WBC made it clear that if there was absolute evidence of a major controversy then we would reserve the right to make our own decision using the big screen and correct the ruling.
“For the WBC, it was in place, but not for the others. We want it to be recognised by everyone involved with proper protocol and a proper system.”
The WBC were also keen for the fight to have six judges at ringside rather than the traditional three.
However, neither idea has been implemented and the fight will be contested under the standard rules.
