OLEKSANDR Usyk’s team have issued a statement in response to Tyson Fury’s calls for a third fight between the two.
In May and December 2024 the two heavyweights met to decide who is the best in the world and after 24 rounds Usyk got his hand raised on both occasions.
Their first encounter saw Fury given a standing eight count in round nine after a pulsating tussle for the undisputed championship. A winner by split decision, Usyk then vacated his IBF title allowing Daniel Dubois to be promoted from interim to full champion. The Londoner went on to demolish Anthony Joshua in his first defence last September.
Usyk and Fury met for a second time in December. Again, the bout went the distance, and again the Ukrainian got the nod much to Fury’s annoyance and frustration. The unified champion now has a chance to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion on July 19 when he faces Dubois in a rematch from their clash in August 2023.
This week, Fury has been in Istanbul as a guest at the IBA Pro 7 event where Jazza Dickens stunned Albert Batyrgaziev to win the WBA interim super-featherweight strap. Earlier this morning the ‘Gypsy King’, who announced his retirement from boxing in January, posted on Instagram a date for a third fight between himself and Usyk.
“April 18, 2026, Wembley Stadium. The trilogy,” Fury wrote and asked people to contact his manager Spencer Brown for tickets.
Yesterday, Turki Alalshikh – the man behind Usyk-Fury 1 and 2 – posted on X that Fury would return to the ring next year.
Usyk must first defeat a rejuvenated Dubois if a third fight is to take place. Responding to Fury’s Instagram post Sergey Lapin, head of Team Usyk, released this statement. “The idea of a third fight with Tyson Fury has been on the table between our teams ever since their second bout. And I have never had any doubt that, together with Goldstar Promotions, we could turn it into a reality.
“Right now, both Oleksandr Usyk and our team are fully focused on the upcoming fight with Dubois on July 19 and on achieving the historic goal of becoming a three-time undisputed world champion. As you’ve probably noticed, focus and total commitment are at the core of the champion’s and the team’s strategy. When this goal — three-time undisputed — is accomplished, and the dust settles, we’ll be open for the next round.”
Last month Usyk’s long-time promoter Alex Krassyuk announced that they would no longer be working together.
