Oleksandr Usyk will look to beat Tyson Fury for the second time when they meet in December.
The Ukrainian – who previously held all titles in the cruiserweight ranks – beat the Brit to secure his fourth and final major belt at heavyweight, becoming only the second man after Evander Holyfield to achieve undisputed status in the two divisions.
To arrive in Riyadh and face Fury for his WBC strap, Usyk first won the WBA, WBO and IBF from Anthony Joshua back in 2021. The unanimous decision victory made Joshua change his training team but that wasn’t enough to find him success in the rematch, which Usyk won again, this time by split decision.
Speaking to Mail Sport Boxing about who he may face should he beat Fury again, Usyk said that he would fight a trilogy with ‘AJ’ because he still appreciates the shot given to him.
“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight.
From my point of view I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.”
Usyk has already given, in his words, Joshua a gift. Unable to fulfil his mandatory duties due to the contracted second Fury fight, he vacated the IBF belt and Daniel Dubois was elevated to Full Champion. He puts it on the line against Joshua on September 21, a win setting up the scenario the Ukrainian southpaw refers to above.
Purely from an intrigue point of view, many will be cheering on Fury to beat Usyk and face Joshua instead, finally delivering a long-awaited all-British heavyweight clash that looks in danger of slipping away.
