Saudi chiefs are already plotting a huge 2025 for the heavyweight division ahead of Tyson Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk… with Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois in the mix for mega-fights

Big boxing’s new Arab paymasters already have plans in place for the leading heavyweights after Saturday’s world championship rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Binding contracts for a trilogy fight in the middle of next year have been signed by both.

That is in principle dependent on the condition that Fury will avenge the first defeat of his career here this spring at the skilled fists of Usyk, but both His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who has the golden hand for the Saudi kingdom, and the promoter of the Gypsy King, Frank Warren, are ‘absolutely certain’ he will.

Make of that what you will, but another tense thriller would be enough to set up the third fight. And in case someone gets struck by lightning, there is a slightly modified plan B.

Alalshikh and Warren are equally confident that IBF champion Daniel Dubois will beat Joseph Parker here in the desert on February 22, even though the veteran Kiwi has been back to his former prime of late.

That will foreshadow a rematch in the autumn against Usyk, who Dubois insists was robbed when a potentially decisive blow to the Ukrainian’s body was deemed illegally low.

Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh (pictured) is already drawing up plans for the heavyweight division for 2025

Anthony Joshua (left) could finally fight Fury, while Daniel Dubois (right) is in line to face Fury or Usyk

That gives Fury time to make a midsummer detour to Wembley for the much-anticipated Brit bash with Anthony Joshua, although Warren admits he wonders ‘whether AJ will even take the fight’ after being defeated by Dubois at that stadium last September was demolished.

Fury himself describes Joshua as ‘in tatters now’, but would no doubt be happy to help himself to a very satisfying helping of that Bramley apple pie. Then he can come back here to fight Dubois for the undisputed world heavyweight title, to open the Riyadh season of sport, arts and culture next winter.

All that will make for 2025 very nicely, thanks to Fury,

Warren explains his unwavering belief that he will topple the No. 1 fighter in the world this way: “Tyson has lived and breathed this fight since May. He has never been locked up in a camp like this before. It’s the most focused and intense I’ve ever seen him. Forget the rumours, he is in fantastic physical condition. Mentally he is in good shape.’

Warren compares the comparisons to Fury’s difficult preparations for the first fight, in which Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis: ‘Tyson suffered that terrible eye cut and probably should have waited longer for it to heal. That reduced his sparring.

“He kept going because there was so much money at stake for everyone. As he did, even though Paris (his wife) had suffered a terribly painful miscarriage during combat week.

“Yet it was still a great fight. An epic. Probably the best heavyweight fight of the 21st century so far. Despite everything, it was still very close. He still thinks he has won, but accepts he will have to be better on Saturday to be sure. So physically, mentally and philosophically he is perfect for this. And I think this will be an even bigger battle.”

Doesn’t Usyk’s legendary ring intelligence and ability to learn raise concerns? Warren says, “Yes, he’s very intelligent. But that also applies to Tyson. They will both have worked each other out.

“They both think they know how to benefit from what they’ve learned about each other. Who has the capacity to make that happen? For me, Tyson. Because even after his problems in the ninth round, he looked even fresher at the end.

Fury has promised Alalshikh he will beat Usyk this time to set up a rematch with Usyk or a domestic cleanup with Joshua

Frank Warren is confident Fury will learn from his mistakes and get his hand raised on Saturday

‘They are both exponents of the Noble Boxing Art at the highest level. Both fighters. These are two great, great fighters, but Tyson has the ability to surprise. Not with his salesmanship and this time not with show boats. But with his boxing.’

Alalshikh fully agrees with that assessment. As much as he admires and respects Usyk, every time he meets Fury he buzzes with excitement and says: ‘He promised me he will win this time. He is a man who keeps his promises. I expect he will this time. I believe in him.’

Not least, of course, because the Gypsy King, with all his outrageous showmanship and flair for the dramatic in the ring, is central to this kingdom’s huge investment in boxing.

As for plan B, Usyk won’t completely upset the apple cart if he wins. There will simply be a juggle of names for the championship fights, with him taking on Dubois for the honor of undisputed.

Not that the other players in this drama expect that. Warren says, “Tyson believes this is his fight. We believe this is his fight.”

Usyk v Fury for the unified world heavyweight championship will air live this Saturday evening on TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN pay-per-view.