On May 18, the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host one of boxing’s most highly-anticipated bouts — Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
The new, state-of-the-art venue has already hosteed Fury vs Francis Ngannou and two Anthony Joshua fights since it opened last year, but this is by far the Arena’s biggest night of boxing yet.
Initially set to take place in February, the undisputed heavyweight title fight was delayed by three months due to Fury sustaining a cut above his eye in training.
However, the rescheduled blockbuster fight night is edging closer by the day, and the once clear-cut Usyk vs Fury odds are no longer so much in the ‘Gypsy King’s’ favour.
While the headliner is one of the biggest fights of the modern era, the undercard was recently revealed, and it features everything from title fights to up-and-coming prodigies.
That said, let’s look at some of the biggest fights on the action-packed undercard.
Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis: A rematch for cruiserweight glory
The co-main event features a highly anticipated rematch between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis for the IBF Cruiserweight and Ring Magazine 200lb belts.
Opetaia’s stunning victory over Briedis in Australia sent shockwaves through the boxing world, and now the stage is set for a riveting showdown to settle the score.
While Briedis, who hasn’t fought in nearly two years, aims to reclaim his titles after suffering a setback, Opetaia seeks to solidify his status as the king of the cruiserweight division.
With a lot on the line in this matchup, expect fireworks in the ring as both fighters leave it all on the line in their quest for glory.
Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace – super-featherweight showdown
Another title fight on the undercard sees Joe Cordina defending his IBF super-featherweight belt against Anthony Cacace.
Cordina’s journey to reclaiming his title after being stripped due to injury has been nothing short of inspiring.
The Welshman overcame the setback and proved his mettle against tough opponents in Shavkat Rakhimov and Edward Vazquez.
However, standing in his way is the formidable Anthony Cacace, a skilled boxer from Northern Ireland with an impressive record.
Cordina should have what it takes to extend his professional record to 18-0, however, and the boxing odds suggest this should be a straightforward fight for the 32-year-old.
Agit Kabayel vs Frank Sanchez – WBC final eliminator
While not contested for physical silverware, the WBC final eliminator between Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez carries significant implications for the heavyweight division.
Both undefeated heavyweights boast similarly impressive records and possess the skills to make a statement on the world stage.
With a potential shot at the title hanging in the balance, expect a high-stakes encounter filled with explosive exchanges and tactical brilliance.
The winner of this bout could emerge as a formidable challenger for either Fury or Usyk, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already stacked division.
In addition to these marquee matchups, the main undercard also features a lightweight clash between undefeated Brit Mark Chamberlain and Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, as well as a cruiserweight showdown between Sergey Kovalev and Robin Sirwan Safar.
Source: Explore
