Tyson Fury will be stripped of heavyweight belt immediately if he beats Oleksandr Usyk for unified crown

Tyson Fury may only have the pleasure of being the unified heavyweight champion of the world for a few moments before it's snatched away from him if he defeats Oleksandr Usyk tonight.

Due to the complexities of the world boxing organisations, it's rare for a unification bout in modern boxing.

Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world back in 1999 when he defeated Evander Holyfield.

Fury and Usyk now get the chance to write history this evening in Saudi Arabia with all the major belts on the line for the first time this century.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are fighting to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world

The Gypsy King is the WBC and lineal champion while Usyk became the IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion after he defeated Anthony Joshua.

While Fury has the size and height advantage, Usyk is seen as someone who can cause the British boxer serious problems.

The bookies still have Fury as the slight favourite to have his hand held aloft by the end of the night.

In doing so, Fury will be able to call himself the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

However, that title won't last long as it's been widely reported that the winner of the fight will be forced to vacate the IBF belt.

Filip Hrgovic has been the long-serving mandatory IBF challenger but he's been forced to wait for his chance after Fury and Usyk agreed a two-fight deal.

But talks appear to be progressing for Hrgovic to fight for the IBF belt against Daniel Dubois next month.

It's been suggested the winner will then go on to face Anthony Joshua at Wembley later this year.

Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory IBF challenger

That means the second fight between Fury and Usyk will not feature all four belts.

Hrgovic holds an impressive record of 17 wins from 17 fights, 14 of which have come via knockout.

Dubois had a shot at the heavyweight title belts against Usyk last year but the British boxer lost in a ninth-round stoppage.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Tyson Fury is the slight favourite to win

Hrgovic is clearly confident of beating Dubois next month though as he promised to retire from the sport if he ends up losing.

He said: “Of course [I would retire if I lose]. How can I live with that? I think I'm the best.

“I worked hard 18 years in this sport like a f****** maniac.

"So if I lose to Dubois, f*** that s*** man - obviously I'm not as good as I think I am. So I would retire."