With two wins already over Tyson Fury, there may be little appetite — or logic — in Oleksandr Usyk facing the giant Brit for a third time.
Having already become undisputed champion at cruiserweight, Usyk moved up to heavyweight with the same ambition. To achieve it, he would have to overcome significant size and physical disadvantages, but his two world title victories over Anthony Joshua proved he was more than equipped for the task.
In 2024, Usyk and Fury met in a highly anticipated undisputed title showdown in Riyadh. An absorbing contest almost ended in round nine when Usyk came agonisingly close to stopping the former lineal champion. Fury survived a standing count but was ultimately outpointed. A rematch later that year produced the same outcome, though only three of the four major belts were on the line after Usyk relinquished the IBF title.
After regaining undisputed status at the expense of Daniel Dubois last summer, Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) once again vacated a belt — this time the WBO — leaving open the possibility of becoming a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
As rumours of a potential clash with Deontay Wilder continue to circulate, Usyk was asked by Ready To Fight whether he would entertain a third meeting with Fury. The 39-year-old replied:
“Why not, but only if it’s a fight for the undisputed status again.”
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) ended a 12-month retirement earlier this month and has returned to training ahead of a planned 2026 comeback, as he pursues his own ambition of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
Though Usyk’s stipulation seems a step too far at this stage, Fury has been going back and forth with new WBO champion Fabio Wardley. Should the Ukrainian keep hold of his three titles, and Fury take on the Ipswich man towards the end of 2026, the trilogy may begin to look more likely.
