Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk tonight (Image: Getty)
Tyson Fury is seemingly gearing up for a third bout with Oleksandr Usyk, should he manage to even the score tonight.
After experiencing his first professional loss in May, the ‘Gypsy King’ is eager to settle the score. In the initial stages of their first match, the 36 year old appeared to have the upper hand. However, the tide turned after the halfway mark. Usyk managed to wound Fury in the eighth round and nearly knocked him out in the ninth – with only the ropes saving the Brit from hitting the canvas. From that point on, the ‘Gypsy King’ struggled to regain his momentum and ultimately lost on points.
Watch Fury vs Usyk 2 for £24.99 on DAZN
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May.
You can watch the fight for £24.99 with DAZN pay-per-view.
Despite turning 37 in August, it seems the British star has already charted his future course and intends to stay in the ring a bit longer. Assuming he emerges victorious on Saturday, Fury has confirmed he will face his Ukrainian adversary for a third time.
“When I win on Saturday night, I think there’s got to be a trilogy next year for sure,” Fury told Al Arabiya. “Joshua’s in tatters at the moment. He has got to pick up the pieces from his last fight. But the fight with Usyk – one on Saturday and the one afterwards – would be fantastic for me.”
Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, has given his backing to the prospect of a third showdown between the ‘Gypsy King’ and Usyk. Confirming it’s all set in stone, Warren stated to Boxing News: “Oh it does because it’s contracted. And whatever happens, that would be the case if Tyson wins… providing nobody retires.”
Meanwhile, although Fury dismissed any immediate interest in fighting Anthony Joshua after his recent loss, he has appeared more open to an all-British clash with ‘AJ’ while talking to Sky News.
Showing sympathy, Fury mused: “I feel sorry for him at the minute, being cleaned out in the last fight in five rounds, so he’ll have to do that again – or not – and then decide his future.”
“When an adversary loses, and it’s not to you, you do feel down and depressed about it. I felt sad for him. It was sad to see a worthy opponent lose his crown. I’d still fight him whether he’s got five losses, 10 losses or 20. It’s not important because, at this stage of our careers, it’s about having good fights. I think it would still be an entertaining and interesting fight for the paying pundit.”
On the other side of the ring, Eddie Hearn, representing Joshua, hinted that ‘AJ’ might eye Fury or Daniel Dubois for his next bout. Speaking to Al Arabiya, Hearn emphasised the significance of a Joshua-Fury fight, saying, “From our side we’ve got Anthony Joshua and an Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight will be a huge global event as well.”
“I think everything will be decided on Saturday, if it’s another amazing fight, which it could well be, and Fury wins, it could set up a trilogy fight between the two of them. For years and still to this day I keep getting asked, ‘when’s it going to happen? ’. Obviously, if Fury wins the fight on Saturday that sets up a massive fight with AJ, if he loses the fight it’s still a huge fight with AJ. We’ve got the potential of a Daniel Dubois rematch as well. So I think AJ’s next fight will be Fury or Dubois. I don’t see many other big fights out there for him. I think he just wants the biggest fights available to him. So the result of Saturday will be very important for Anthony Joshua as well.”