What could Tyson Fury do next after second Oleksandr Usyk defeat? Trilogy? Anthony Joshua super fight? Retire?

ByRob Hemingway

Published 22/12/2024 at 11:28 GMT

What lies ahead for Tyson Fury after he suffered another defeat in his second fight with Oleksandr Usyk? The Gypsy King lost the pair's first meeting and was unable to right those wrongs in Riyadh. If he had won on December 21, a trilogy could have been on the cards. However, could he now be eyeing up a British super fight with Anthony Joshua, or will he decide to hang up his gloves instead?

All eyes were on Riyadh on December 21 as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk met in the ring for their hugely anticipated heavyweight rematch, live on TNT Sports Box Office.

The Ukrainian came out on top via unanimous decision having claimed a split decision victory to become the first undisputed champion in boxing's four-belt era in their first bout.

Fury's camp will now have to go back to the drawing board, but the 36-year-old can hold his head up high after taking a generational talent to the limit.

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In terms of his future in the sport from December 22 onwards, here are some of the possible eventualities...

Fury-Usyk III?

Could there still be a trilogy?

If Fury had won the second fight then fans might have expected a final showdown.

Fury confirmed as much in an interview ahead of the clash.

"When I win on Saturday night, I think there’s got to be a trilogy next year for sure," Fury told Al Arabiya.

"Joshua’s in tatters at the moment.

"He has got to pick up the pieces from his last fight. But the fight with Usyk – one on Saturday and the one afterwards – would be fantastic for me."

Fury has been involved in iconic trilogies before, memorably taking on Deontay Wilder three times between 2018 and 2021, winning the last bout with a sensational 11th-round knockout.

• Fury insists Usyk got 'Christmas gift' from judges in rematch
• 'That is a nonsense' - Warren outraged by judges scores following Usyk win over Fury

It would also depend on Usyk's willingness to step back into action once more against his old foe, as well as the condition of both fighters following another bruising encounter.

If the pair do want to go again though, you sense the sport's powerbrokers won't stand in the way of what would be a monumental battle to truly anoint the best heavyweight of the modern era.

‘That is a nonsense’ – A ‘dumbfounded’ Warren slams unanimous decision as ‘crazy’

Video credit: Eurosport

AJ showdown?

It took long enough for Fury and Usyk to meet - could Fury switch gears after another defeat and appease all those yearning for a British super fight with Anthony Joshua?

With Fury 36 and Joshua 35, time is running out for the pair to come together for a bout that would put to bed a rivalry that has simmered for a long time.

The Englishman suffered a brutal knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois - who wants Usyk next, but could also have claims to fight Fury himself - in his last fight back in September at Wembley, but still retains a huge aura and following.

Speaking earlier this year, Fury appeared to signal the fight could - and should - happen.

"At the end of the day, it would be a travesty if we didn't fight," Fury said.

"No matter if he [Joshua] loses 20 more fights. If he doesn't win another fight and has 10 years away from the game, it doesn't matter, we have to fight.

"I did an interview recently and said, 'look it doesn't matter if we're 50 years old, we'll have to fight'. I lost out on one big fight already with David Price.

"He was a British hope at one stage, that was building up and that would've been a massive fight here or in Manchester. But that's gone now, and it would be a travesty if we didn't fight each other."

Retire?

Perhaps the option fight fans would least like to see, but it could still happen.

Fury turns 37 next year, has been in numerous wars in his career, and has a comfortable family life.

For those reasons, he could decide to hang up his gloves.

Understandably, he remained coy about his future in the immediate aftermath of his second defeat to Usyk.

Asked whether he would continue to fight, the 36-year-old said: "I’m having some time off. I might do, I might not. Who knows? We’ll talk about that next year."

Fury had initially planned to retire when he turned 34 but U-turned, and - speaking last February on Instagram - appeared to suggest there was plenty still left in him.

"I keep hearing talk of people saying I should retire or I’m going to retire soon or whatever," Fury said.

"I ain’t retiring – I’ve got two fights with Usyk for the undisputed, twice.

"Then I’m going to fight AJ [Joshua] at least once, maybe twice, if there’s a rematch – if he wants one after the first battering I give him.

"Then I’m going to fight [Francis] Ngannou again. And that’s just the start. So there’s five little fights for you to whet your appetite with.

"I ain’t going nowhere. Nowhere. I’m 35 years old and in the prime of my life."

'Joshua and Fury should have two fights and sail off into sunset' if Usyk wins rematch - Hearn

Video credit: Eurosport

How to watch Usyk v Fury 2?

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