Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in doubt
The Brit and the Ukrainian signed a rematch clause as part of the agreement, but things could change after Fury’s defeat to ‘The Cat’.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk accepted a rematch clause in their fight contract, but that condition could change after their clash last Saturday.
The Gipsy King’s co-promoter Frank Warren admitted he’s uncertain if the Brit will take the rematch with the Ukrainian after losing the undisputed heavyweight championship mega-fight last Saturday night via a 12-round split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“We are committed because there’s a contract signed. However, Tyson has got to want to do it, and Usyk has got to want to do it. If one of them says, ‘I’ve had enough that could be the case. That would be their choice,” Warren said to Secondsout.
Fury was confident in getting into the ring with Usyk and beating him in one of the biggest fights in the heavyweight division in recent history. However, the Olympian gold medalist earned the judges’ favor after a brilliant ninth round, where ‘The Cat’ was about to knock out Fury.
Fury vs Usyk rematch: a potential ‘AJ’ fight in danger
Fury wants to take on Usyk again in a rematch in a clash for all the marbles, or at least that’s what he said after the fight. However, he might reconsider that possibility given he tasted defeat for the first time in his career against an undefeated fighter who has probably been his toughest test. And what seems a sure thing is that the Ukrainian fighter will give him issues again in a second battle.
The Manchester native said months ago he wants to take on Anthony Joshua before retiring, so the smart move here would probably be to face his fellow countryman next by offering Usyk a step-aside deal. However, an agreement between the two boxers would include an eventual rematch, otherwise, it wouldn’t make much sense for Usyk to let Fury fight AJ without securing another big payday against ‘The Gipsy King’.
Retirement, a possibility for Fury
After suffering the first loss in his career, retirement could be a possibility. Fury has achieved everything in boxing and has accumulated a big fortune through the years,
“He can as a champion and say, ‘I’m retiring. I’m not saying he would but he has an option”, " Warren added.
There’s also the possibility that Usyk refuses a step-aside deal, with Tyson having to face him again in an immediate rematch. In that scenario, Fury could hang up the gloves.
“He’s a very wealthy man. He fights for purses and they’re huge purses. If he fights for them, he improves his bank balance. Can he spend the money he’s got? No, he can’t spend it. So, it’s got to be his choice. What does his family want to do?” Warren concluded.
Money vs legacy. That could be the question on Fury’s mind too. The Brit could accept the fight with Usyk, but a second loss to the Ukrainian could tarnish his legacy, although he would leave the sport with more money in his pocket.