Two of the biggest boxers facing off today will make history on Saturday night
After chaotic build-up, Tyson Fury will take on Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF titles on Saturday evening.
It will be a historic night for boxing, a quarter of a century after the last undisputed heavyweight championship fight, when Lennox Lewis faced Evander Holyfield.
For both Fury and Usyk, the fight could be their chance to emerge as all-time sporting greats.
The Gypsy King may not have reached his full potential in a successful but controversial career. Usyk will become one of the few boxers to become undisputed champion in two weight classes, having unified all major belts in the cruiserweight division. Back when there were four major belts up for grabs, pulling off that feat seemed like trying to climb a mountain with your hands tied. Terence Crawford managed to do it, though, just not in the heavyweight category.
Usyk, who’s got a hold of three out of the four belts – the WBC, WBA, and IBF – mentioned that the upcoming fight is going to be “a really big deal.” He told Sky Sports News: “It’s different in the heavyweight division. This is heavyweight. It’s the king of divisions.
“A lot of people who box, who have a chance to get to the heavyweight division, everybody dreams to box in the heavyweight division. It’s the big class. It’s the king for sure.”
Meanwhile, Fury, who has held the WBC belt since 2020, said his fight with Usyk could be bigger than Lewis and Holyfield’s match: “There’s a lot to fight for now. It’s the first time in history that there are more belts than Lewis and Holyfield competed for at that time. I’m really excited and looking forward to this mission.”
Whether the fight surpasses the one that happened 25 years ago or not, Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk promises to be one of the biggest sporting events of a generation.
The fight will take place on May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is scheduled to start around 11 PM GMT, but the boxers may not enter the ring until later. It will be broadcast live in the UK via DAZN pay-per-view service, on Sky Box Office, and on TNT Sports Box Office, priced at £24.95.
For those looking to watch the bout in a London bar, here’s where you can go around London, with plenty of options in Shoreditch and its surroundings. Booking is advised, if not essential.
The Regent, Balham
The Regent is a vibrant local independent bar and a place for tests, live music, and sports. Book a table, gear up, and get ready for a big one in one of South London’s finest neighborhoods.
21 Chestnut Grove, Balham, SW12 8JB, regentbalham.co.uk
Greenwood, Victoria
Opposite Victoria Station, Greenwood offers beer, cocktails, and bar food in a spacious area full of TVs and high tables. It’s one of the smartly located sports bars in London from the Etm Group, with two other options below.
170 Victoria Street, SW1E 5LB, greenwoodlondon.com
The Star in Shoreditch
The showdown between the boxing giants will be shown at Star Inn Shoreditch, described as “undoubtedly one of the most anticipated and important matches of the year.”
243 Old Street, EC1V 9EY, starinshoreditch.co.uk
Temple Brew House
This basement floor of a craft beer bar in Temple is a modern sports bar, but it’s a place for mismatched furniture, craft beer, and seasonal food. Boxing is also on the menu.
46 Essex Street, Temple, WC2R 3JF, Templebrewhouse.com
The Thirsty Bear, Southwark
At Thirsty Bear, you can have a blast with shuffleboard, darts, table football, and ping pong! Loads of fun waiting for you there!. The bar serves good beer and gourmet burgers, and events are held regularly. On May 18, it’s boxing.
62 Stamford Street, London SE1 9LX, thethirstybear.com
Redwood, London Bridge
Redwood is located directly outside London Bridge and is a multi-story space with screens everywhere. It’s advisable to get there early as the bar, like all members of the group, gets extremely busy.
London Bridge Station, SE1 9SP, redwoodsportspub.com
Northwood, Angel
This Islington-based venue of Northwood State has huge high-definition screens and a booming sound system, and is hugely popular for major sporting events.
Angel Central, 30 Parkfield Street, N1 0PZ, northwoodlondon.com
Broadleaf, Bishopsgate
The spacious glass Broadleaf bar offers many sports games and has many screens to watch the Fury vs Usyk fight. Tables can be booked throughout the evening.
Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HN, Broadleaflondon.com
Kick Bar, Shoreditch
The locally dedicated beer and burger Kick Bar offers tables and booths available, and the match will be shown with construction from 10 PM.
127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, Urbanpubsandbars.com
McGettigan’s, Fulham
The Irish-themed bar chain almost shows all sports games. Just show up and find a seat (or standing room).
1 Fulham Broadway, SW6 1AA, mcgettigans.com
Sports Bar & Grill, Clapham Junction
Clapham’s the top choice down south!. Near the train station is the Sports Bar & Grill, which offers bookable seats from 10 PM.
Sure! That address is 4 St John’s Hill, Clapham, SW11 1RU. You can find more information about it at sportsbarandgrill.co.uk.
Beechwood Sports Bar & Kitchen, Liverpool Street
Beechwood, another Etm Group venue, shows the match alongside plenty of beer types and bar foods.
Worship Street, EC2A 2FA, beechwoodsportspub.com
The Cornershop, Shoreditch
The multi-story nightlife and sports venue Cornershop serves food until late and is a party venue in the evening, with a license until 2 AM. Huge screens are downstairs.
123 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, thecornershopbar.co.uk
Nordic Bar, Fitzrovia
The Scandinavian-style party bar opens until 2 AM on weekends and is always busy when major events come, few of which come close to Fury vs Usyk.
25 Newman Street, W1T 1PN, nordicbar.com
The Earl Camden, Camden
This Camden bar has screens everywhere and will show the fight live. Food is served until 9 PM but drinks flow much later.
55 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7AH, craft-social.co.uk