On Saturday night, Tyson Fury returns to action after a 16-month layoff, tasked with hard-hitting Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. One of the main goals of this comeback had always been a trilogy bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury twice lost out to Usyk during 2024, as the Ukrainian captured his fellow champion’s WBC heavyweight world title to become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing history, before a repeat victory in their rematch.
‘The Gypsy King’ has always maintained that he did enough to win the fights on the scorecards, and promoter Frank Warren has said, on various occasions, has relayed the message that his charge wants a third crack at Usyk.
Speaking to Ring Magazine ahead of his ring return, however, Fury revealed that he and his rival have been going back-and-forth in private messages on social media and that it was the undefeated heavyweight king has requested a third fight. Fury now does not appear so keen.
“We speak over on Instagram and on Messenger and stuff. He said, ‘we will do the third fight very soon’, obviously – because I am the f**ing cash cow. They all want to fight ‘The Gypsy King’, of course they do.
“I said to him ‘are they going to give you the decision before we go in there?’, and he sent me some laughing faces, of course they are!
“It is what it is, no hard feelings, Oleksandr got his victories and fair play to him, but it’s not about Oleksandr anymore. Oleksandr has had his pay days, so f**k him … I don’t think I’m gonna get any fair play, ever.”
Instead, or at least before pursuing Usyk, Fury is reportedly getting closer to securing a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua, who now trains alongside the Ukrainian having also lost to him twice.
First up is Makhmudov, who looks to spoil all of those plans with a win on Saturday night.
