British sports fans are set for an early Christmas present when two of the nation’s most famous sports stars return to the big stage.
December 21 is already pencilled in every sports fan’s calendar as a day to avoid any reason to leave the house as Tyson Fury will return to the ring and avenge his only career defeat in a re-match against Oleksandr Usyk, which is live on talkSPORT.
If that wasn’t big enough, the British star will share the eye of a nation with darts superstar Luke Littler who has now been drawn to play on the same day.
Teen sensation Littler has become a household name over the past year thanks to his stunning debut run at the 2023/24 PDC World Darts Championship.
He will now be returning to Alexandra Palace for the second time, and he will kick off on the seventh day of action, which is also December 21.
Littler captivated the country and much of Europe last year with his record-breaking run to the final aged just 16 at his tournament debut.
There he lost to Luke Humphries, but after snaring three titles in 2024 to show he’s part of the elite, Littler returns to ‘Ally Pally’ as the fourth seed.
The teen has gone from unknown to a household name in less than a year, something he discussed with talkSPORT before the draw.
“This is where it all started, it would have been last night when I won the World Youths in Minehead,” he said
“And then to go to the Worlds, literally just wanting to win a game, but getting to the final.
“It’s where it all started for me. I think it’s down to my age and what I’ve done in a short space of time.
“I can’t lie I was nervous on my World Championships debut. But this year I’ve won a lot of titles.
Luke Littler’s whirlwind 2024
World Series Finals WINNER
Premier League WINNER
Grand Slam WINNER
World Ch’ship Runner Up
PC Finals Runner Up
UK Open Quarter Final
World Matchplay Last 32
World Grand Prix Last 32
European Ch’ship Last 32
“I’ve hit nine darters, and I come in now with a lot more confidence, and playing better than last year.
“I just do myself really. It’s still my first year, what I’ve done is incredible.
“But also it is work, and there is money to be made and titles to be won.”
Littler will return to face the winner of Ryan Meikle or British women’s talent Fallon Sherrock.
There’s no doubt about Fury’s December 21 opponent, though, and it’s Usyk, who handed him a first career defeat by split decision back in May.
The pair are returning to Riyadh for their rematch, and could well end up fighting at a similar time to when Littler takes to the oche, as the card starts at 7pm UK time, with the main event scheduled for 11pm.
It wasn’t long ago that darts wouldn’t be considered on the same level as boxing, but last year’s viewing figures have very much changed that perception.
Explaining how sensational the last edition was, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, son of former PDC head Barry, summed up the figures.
“We’re seeing our viewing figures, the one thing is darts is continuously disrespected really as a sport,” he said afterwards.
“The viewing figures are second only to Premier League football, and actually during the World Championship, they were on the same level as Premier League football.
“No other sport, you go and look at these viewing figures, the tennis, the golf on Sky competes with the darts.”
Hearn will certainly be keeping us in the loop regarding viewing figures shortly after the event as the same day sees title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal in action.
Pep Guardiola’s side visit Aston Villa, while the Gunners travel to Crystal Palace and later in the day Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid collide.
For once, though, all eyes may instead be on the oche and the ring.