Fury Eyes An Usyk Trilogy; Hints At Bulking Up For The Rematch

Tyson Fury has talked up a trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk as The Gypsy King hinted at bulking up for their rematch. 

Fury came out second best in their first fight, losing a split decision. The defeat meant that Usyk became the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. It was also Fury’s first-ever career loss, leaving question marks over whether he could bounce back. His initial behavior showed that he was struggling to deal with the defeat.

He refused to accept the result, stating that Usyk only got the decision because of Russia’s war with Ukraine. Even after having rewatched the fight, he called Usyk an amateur boxer, stating that he had categorically won the bout. This is despite the majority of people stating otherwise. Fury was then seen being thrown out of a club in his hometown of Morecambe after being drunk.

That created the narrative that Fury was struggling with his mental health, something which he has been very vocal about previously. The Gypsy King then shared a video of himself in training, downplaying any fears that he was not in the right state of mind. The rematch will take place on December 21, but it will not be for undisputed after Usyk vacated the IBF belt. 

Fury On Usyk

The IBF belt is currently held by Daniel Dubois, who knocked out Anthony Joshua in his last fight in a successful defense after he was initially elevated as champion once Usyk vacated. Fury knows that a victory over Usyk puts him in line for an undisputed shot against Dubois. But he is also talking up a trilogy with Usyk. That depends on whether Fury can come out on top and secure a win. 

“I think this will be one of the great trilogies, me and Usyk, like Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney. Going back to those days. They were great fights, and I believe when I beat him again, I’ll definitely do a trilogy with him. 100 percent. Got to be. One each and then the trilogy,” Fury said 

Nevertheless, it would be very difficult for Fury to achieve that. He spent a considerable amount of time after the Francis Ngannou fight preparing for Usyk. The fight was first set to go ahead in December. But it did not happen after Fury’s tough win over Ngannou. It was then rescheduled for February, but Fury withdrew after suffering a cut over his eye in sparring.

Fury’s Approach

While the fight eventually went ahead in May, Fury has since then stated that the cut impacted his preparation. He felt he could not undergo full sparring for fear that the cut would open. But he was confident about the result in the rematch, stating that he had been putting in the hard yards. He has also vowed to knock out Usyk, just as he did against Deontay Wilder in their second fight. Fury has hinted at putting on some more weight to do that. 

“Was in the shape of my life, but this is not the Gypsy King. This is him, 19st 11-lbs bruiser,” Fury said 

But Usyk has been 12 rounds with Fury and almost stopped him in the ninth round. The Ukrainian will also fancy his chances with his team, stating they would retire Fury. Usyk is also known for being a master counterpuncher, which could play into his hands if Fury comes forward. Usyk stayed in the pocket for the two Anthony Joshua fights and managed to outbox him. Joshua is considered more of a power puncher than Fury, yet he could not do what he wanted to do. That has set up an intriguing fight.

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