What’s Next For Usyk And Fury?

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury for the second time to solidify his position as the greatest heavyweight of this era.
Usyk proved the first win was not a bout that could have gone either way by producing a another stellar performance to win a unanimous decision. He gave Fury his second defeat, dethroning another British fighter after his wins over Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tony Bellew. This raises questions about his next steps. He could jump straight into an undisputed fight with Dubois. Dubois holds the IBF belt which Usyk vacated.
Usyk’s Future
Dubois defended it successfully by knocking out Joshua in his last fight. There is history between the pair too. Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round. But that was after Dubois’ body shot, which dropped Usyk in the fifth, was declared a low blow. Some in the boxing community had it as a legitimate shot. Dubois wanted the winner of Usyk vs. Fury if he beats Joseph Parker.
“I want that next and I know I deserve that because I beat AJ. I put him to sleep, and I’m that guy now. They got to fight me. It’s going to be a good fight. It’s going to be a real war. He’s going to come and try and take my head off, and I’ll do the same thing. Let’s see. I’m ready to go, though,” Dubois said
The alternative is to move back down to cruiserweight. Usyk has already been undisputed at the weight class. It is his natural weight. There could be fights against Jai Opetaia or Zurdo Ramirez. There is also the opportunity to face Artur Beterbiev if the latter moves up to cruiserweight. That would depend on whether Beterbiev beats Bivol in the rematch. Usyk has beaten Beterbiev in the amateurs. Equally, Usyk could just retire. The Ukrainian has nothing else to prove. He is undefeated, undisputed in two weight classes and risks harming his legacy. He has secured his financial future from the sport and put his nation on the map.
Fury’s Future
Fury has to go back to the drawing board. He is no longer the same fighter that once overpowered Deontay Wilder. The Gypsy King is showing more wear and tear on his body. He also has enough money to retire from the sport. He risks staying in the sport too long, causing more damage.
But there are still a few fights out there. He could face Joshua in Britain’s biggest fight. While the two fighters are no longer at their peak, it is still a lucrative fight. Fury could also pursue the Francis Ngannou fight. Fury’s win was not convincing. Ngannou dropped him in round three, as he struggled to a controversial split decision win. The latter has said he wants to run things back. Either way, both fighters have plenty to ponder.
“It’s been four years that I’ve been saying it, I’m confused that people keep asking me this question [about the Jon Jones fight]. It’s been four years! That’s not my problem, I don’t care about it anymore. If it happens, yes, if it doesn’t, f— it. What I do know for sure is that I want a rematch with Fury,” Ngannou stated
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