Why Oleksandr Usyk will not be ‘begging’ for Tyson Fury trilogy

Tyson Fury confirmed his return on Monday as he kicked off the build-up to his April 11 meeting with Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As is the case with any Fury press conference, the former world heavyweight champion had quotes aplenty, and he could not resist mentioning the only man to conquer him, Oleksandr Usyk.

With his usual confident and boisterous tone, Fury claimed that by the end of 2026, Usyk will be “begging me for a fight”, but when applying common sense, there is no reason as to why the Ukrainian needs to pursue a trilogy bout.

Two Usyk wins over Fury settled rivalry

There is a criteria which needs to be fulfilled when justifying a trilogy fight in boxing.

First, were the two fights entertaining and close, and then, is it one win apiece?

Unfortunately for Fury, his two previous encounters with Usyk do not warrant a third fight.

Both heavyweight showdowns two years ago saw Usyk trouble Fury and win on the scorecards.

In the first fight, Usyk came into his own in the second half of the contest and was even close to stopping Fury in the ninth, who after absorbing a barrage, was being held up by the ropes.

The rematch saw more of the same, and it was more comfortable for Usyk who cemented himself as the world’s number one heavyweight.

Fury announced his short-lived retirement soon after, and it looked like the book had been closed on this rivalry, leaving fight fans satisfied that they had seen two of the best in the division go head-to-head to determine who is the king of the heavyweights.

However, Fury is trying his utmost best to re-ignite this rivalry, but a brief look at fan reactions shows little desire. They have seen who is the best, with two Usyk wins showing that Fury is not on the same level.

If Fury’s comeback does go to plan, and he does manage to land a trilogy with Usyk, it will be purely money motivated.

Usyk has achieved everything there is in the sweet science, and the curtain is slowly coming down on his career.

With Usyk now looking to enjoy his time in the sport, facing someone who he has already beaten twice, in convincing fashion, will not get the juices flowing for a return to the ring.

Usyk has plenty of better options in exciting heavyweight division

Fury’s return will no doubt bring added spotlight to boxing’s blue ribbon weight division, but for Usyk, there are plenty of exciting options in a buzzing heavyweight division.

There is a clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who faces Derek Chisora in April, live on DAZN, albeit this will hinge on whether Wilder wins.

Then there was the recent news of the WBC ordering Usyk to defend his world title belt against interim champion Agit Kabayel. It’s a fight which could sell out any major arena in Germany and is likely to produce an exciting matchup between the fleet-footed Usyk and the explosive Kabayel.

The Ring

Britain also boasts plenty of opponents for Usyk.

Possibly the winner of the WBO heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9? For Usyk’s sanity, he will probably not want it to be Dubois, again.

Moses Itauma will no doubt look to manoeuvre himself into a position to challenge Usyk if he gets past Jermaine Franklin next month, but for Itauma, the clock is ticking to take on the Ukrainian who sees him as a real threat.

For Usyk, these prospective bouts will keep him motivated more than a Fury trilogy bout, so unfortunately for ‘The Gypsy King', he should not be surprised if the Ukrainian does not come “begging” for another encounter.

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