Wait, didn't Tyson Fury retire? Again? If you’re a boxing fan, you know the "Gypsy King" says he’s done about as often as most people say they’re going to start a diet on Monday. After that second loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024—a fight where Usyk basically cemented himself as the king of this era—everyone thought the book was closed. But here we are. The tyson fury vs oleksandr usyk start date for their third and final encounter is officially penciled in, and it’s not happening in the desert this time.
When is the actual tyson fury vs oleksandr usyk start date?
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Yeah, it's a bit of a wait. We’ve still got some months to go, but the wheels are already turning. Unlike the first two fights which were the crown jewels of Saudi Arabia’s "Riyadh Season," this one is reportedly heading to the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium in London.
Honestly, the logistics of these mega-fights are usually a nightmare. We saw the first fight get pushed back because of a nasty cut Fury got in sparring. Then the rematch took months to negotiate. But the word is that for the trilogy, both camps wanted a "legacy" venue.
Why the long wait?
Boxing isn't like the UFC where guys can sometimes turnaround in three months. Fury is 37. Usyk is 39. These aren't young bucks anymore. After 24 rounds of absolute punishment against each other in 2024, their bodies needed a massive break.
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Plus, there was that whole "retirement" stint. Fury "retired" in January 2025, only to start making noise about a comeback by July. Classic Tyson.
What time will the ring walks happen?
Since we are looking at a London-based event, the timing is going to be much friendlier for UK fans than the 1:00 AM Riyadh starts we've grown used to.
- Main Card Start: Roughly 6:00 PM GMT.
- Main Event Ring Walks: Usually around 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM GMT.
If you're watching from the States, you're looking at a mid-afternoon start, around 5:00 PM ET. It’s basically a primetime slot for the UK and a perfect "afternoon barbecue" fight for the US.
The Story So Far: Why a Third Fight?
Some people think a trilogy is overkill. Usyk won the first fight by split decision in May 2024. He won the second by a much clearer unanimous decision in December 2024. Technically, the score is 2-0.
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But boxing is a business, and let's be real—Fury is still the biggest draw in the heavyweight division. He believes he won the second fight. Or at least, he says he does to anyone with a microphone. He’s obsessed with the idea of a "fair shout" on home soil.
"I want my revenge in England. That’s all I want. I don’t believe I’ve got a fair shout the last two times," Fury said recently.
It’s kinda hard to argue with a man who has 90,000 screaming Brits behind him. Whether he can actually beat a guy who seems to have his number is another story entirely. Usyk is like a master chess player who also happens to have a granite chin.
What’s at stake this time?
In the first fight, it was for the undisputed crown. All the belts. By the time the second fight rolled around, Usyk had vacated the IBF title, so it wasn't "undisputed" in the technical sense, but everyone knew who the man was.
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For April 18, 2026, the stakes are more about the history books.
- Usyk’s Undefeated Record: He’s 23-0. He wants to retire perfect.
- Fury’s Legacy: If he loses three in a row to the same guy, his claim as the best of his generation evaporates.
- The Anthony Joshua Question: If Fury wins, the "Battle of Britain" against AJ is back on the table for late 2026. If he loses, that fight probably loses 50% of its value.
How to get tickets for April 18
If you're planning on being one of the 90,000 at Wembley, you'll need to be fast. Tickets for these things usually drop about 3-4 months before the event. Expect a tiered release:
- O2 Priority / Pre-sale: Usually the first wave.
- General Sale: These will likely sell out within an hour.
- Hospitality: If you've got a few thousand pounds to spare, these are already being "enquired" about on sites like TicketKosta and Eventmasters.
Prices? Expect the "cheap" seats to start around £95, with ringside seats going for the price of a used hatchback.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're serious about following this build-up, don't just wait for the news to hit your feed.
- Check the Sanctioning Bodies: Keep an eye on the WBC and WBO rankings. If Usyk is forced into a mandatory defense before April (like against a Daniel Dubois rematch or a Zhilei Zhang), this date could shift.
- Official Socials: Follow Turki Alalshikh on X (formerly Twitter). He’s basically the "Godfather" of modern heavyweight boxing and usually breaks the news before the promoters even have the graphics ready.
- Travel Planning: If you're coming from abroad, book refundable hotels in North London now. Wembley hotel prices triple the second a fight is officially confirmed by the venue.
This is likely the last time we see these two legends in the ring together. Whether you're Team Fury or Team Usyk, the tyson fury vs oleksandr usyk start date represents the end of an era for the heavyweight division.