Tyson Fury has indicated his potential return to boxing is contingent on securing a substantial fight purse. The 37-year-old heavyweight champion has not entered the ring since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2023. Fury lost both encounters against Usyk, first by split decision in Riyadh last March and then by unanimous decision in their rematch, where Usyk successfully defended his WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
After the rematch, Fury announced his retirement in January 2024, just three weeks later. This marked his second retirement, having previously stepped away from boxing in 2015 after his historic victory over Wladimir Klitschko in Germany. Since then, discussions have arisen about a potential trilogy fight with Usyk and a highly anticipated matchup against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.
Close friend and fellow boxer Derek Chisora recently shed light on Fury’s conditions for returning to the sport. During a visit to Monaco, Chisora stated, “Tyson is coming back. He wants to fight Usyk. The Gypsy King is coming back, don’t worry about that!” He emphasized that financial considerations are significant, noting that Usyk’s team is likely to demand a considerable sum, especially following Usyk’s lucrative fights in Saudi Arabia.
The ongoing negotiations for a third fight between Fury and Usyk face hurdles beyond financial terms. British heavyweight Fabio Wardley is poised for a WBO title shot after his recent knockout victory over Joseph Parker. The WBO has mandated Usyk to defend his title against Wardley in early 2026, which complicates the timeline for a potential bout with Fury.
In July 2024, Fury hinted at the possibility of a fight against Usyk at Wembley in April 2026. However, the WBO’s directive has created significant obstacles. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, commented on the situation, stating, “We’ll see [if Fury returns] but he likes that fight [vs Usyk] and he wants that fight, and they were close fights by the way.” He added that if both fighters are willing, there is likely to be interest in making the match happen.
Usyk, who is currently recovering from a back injury, recently defended his titles by defeating Daniel Dubois at Wembley. His adviser, Serhii Lapin, addressed the potential for a trilogy fight with Fury, remarking, “Theoretically, it’s an interesting option, but for whom? If boxing fans truly support it, then maybe. However, in my opinion, that chapter is already closed.”
As Usyk approaches his 39th birthday in January, he remains committed to his boxing career, expressing a desire to continue fighting until the age of 41. “I train every day. I train with the goal of entering the ring next year and, with God’s help, winning,” Usyk told UNN. He also shared plans to establish a sports academy after his retirement, where he intends to train future athletes.
While the boxing world awaits updates on Fury’s potential comeback, the focus remains on the financial aspects and the looming obligations surrounding Usyk’s championship titles.
