Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will forever be linked in the heavyweight division.
It was back in May 2024 that the first undisputed heavyweight fight for almost a quarter of a century played out in the squared circle.
It saw Usyk continue with his unbeaten run as a professional as he slowly but surely clocked up the rounds to take a points win after 12, helped by the fact that he gave Fury a torrid time in the ninth and very nearly stopped him.
After that, both men returned to camp with Fury insisting he would do better the second time after claiming he didn’t take the first bout seriously enough.
However, the rematch came around in December and went the same way, this time with Usyk securing a unanimous decision on the cards.
That loss, the second of his career, sent Fury into retirement while Usyk looks to push on and become undisputed for a historic second time. To do so he will have to take on current IBF ruler Daniel Dubois, who he already beat by knockout back in August 2023.
However, Usyk has recently been served with his mandatory, Joseph Parker, who he may have to take on first if he is to retain his WBO belt and if a step-aside deal cannot be arranged to allow the undisputed fight to come first.
Speaking on Instagram about the situation, Fury stated his belief that his long time friend and occasional campmate Parker should be the man next to take on Usyk.
“About time as well. Give Joseph Parker his shot!”
Former WBO champion Parker is one of the division’s form men. Last time out he stopped imposing knockout artist Martin Bakole inside two and before that he beat both Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder on points.
