Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been instructed to vacate his WBO title if he intends to proceed with a highly anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury.
The development comes after the World Boxing Organization ordered Usyk to defend the belt against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker. However, the potential for a blockbuster trilogy fight with Fury, popularly known as the “Gypsy King,” has taken center stage in the boxing world.
Fury, who briefly stepped away from the sport in January following his second consecutive defeat to Usyk, has now hinted at a possible return, but with clear conditions. Speaking on the matter, the British heavyweight made it clear that fairness would be a non-negotiable aspect of any potential bout.
“If I was going to come back, I would come back for Usyk,” Fury stated. “But I want a fair result in England. That would be the fight I want next.”
Emphasizing transparency and neutrality, Fury added:
“I don’t want any favours. I want a fair fight and a fair result, which I know I didn’t get last time.”
Should Usyk opt for a third encounter with Fury, he would be forced to relinquish his WBO title, a belt he has held since unifying the division after defeating Daniel Dubois earlier this month.
McKenzie: “It’s the Money Fight”
Former world champion and boxing analyst Duke McKenzie believes the Usyk–Fury trilogy is inevitable, citing financial incentives and fan demand as major driving factors.
“Will the fight happen? Yes, because it is the money fight,” McKenzie told Betway. “There’s no one else in the heavyweight division right now with the commercial pull of Tyson Fury.”
McKenzie acknowledged Fury’s controversial reputation, including repeated retirements and inconsistent activity in the ring, but argued that his entertainment value outweighs those concerns.
“He’s retired 10 times since the first fight. His life is like a pantomime,” McKenzie said. “I don’t know if he deserves a rematch, but he’ll get it. He’s box office. If nothing else, he fills up arenas.”
Despite Fury’s losses to Usyk, McKenzie anticipates a third meeting due to the lack of viable challengers in the heavyweight landscape.
“There’s nobody else out there who brings the same value or has the credentials to face Usyk again. At least Tyson has earned his stripes.”
Fury’s Disputed Loss and Acceptance
Tyson Fury has maintained that he was wrongly judged in his previous encounter with Usyk, insisting that he had done enough to win.
“I thought I won that second fight by five rounds,” Fury declared. “I’ve watched it back over 250 times, and I still can’t see how I lost.”
Nonetheless, the former champion says he has accepted the outcome and is ready to move forward.
“As soon as I saw the result, I thought: ‘What is going on here?’ But I accept it. I’m a man. I don’t make excuses. On to the next thing.”
Another Win for Usyk?
While anticipation for a trilogy builds, McKenzie remains skeptical about a different outcome if a third fight goes ahead.
“It will end the same way, Oleksandr Usyk will beat him again, and even more convincingly this time,” he said.
The veteran boxing commentator questioned whether fans truly desire another installment, particularly if it results in a third straight loss for Fury.
“Okay, he’s a two-time loser. Do people really want to see it again? Probably not, because he’ll become a three-time loser.”
Despite this, McKenzie conceded that, for now, Fury remains the most viable opponent for Usyk.
“There’s no one else who’s truly earned a shot. Fury has fought Usyk twice and given a good account of himself. Until someone else steps up, he’s still the best option.”
As fans await a definitive announcement, the future of the heavyweight division hangs in the balance, will Usyk hold on to his WBO crown and face Parker, or relinquish the belt to complete a historic trilogy with Fury on British soil?
