For Tyson Fury’s many supporters, his loss to Oleksandr Usyk last night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was a bitter pill to swallow. Fury’s strategy of sticking to a career heavier 281lbs in an attempt to impose his size on the smaller Usyk worked to some extent. However, Usyk’s ringcraft saw him through again in the rematch. While he doesn’t have the power to inflict knockouts on major heavyweights, Oleksandr Usyk is a master tactician. People call boxing “the sweet science”, and Usyk is definitely a professor at it.
The question now is who is next for Tyson Fury. There is no contractual obligation for Oleksandr Usyk to fight Fury again. There are also rumors that Usyk will return to Cruiserweight soon. If that is the case, the only possible way for Tyson Fury to fight again for the world heavyweight title is for him to compete for the WBO belt currently held by Daniel Dubois.
If Fury chooses to retire, it won’t hurt his reputation. He would be remembered for being a two-time world heavyweight boxing champion. Fury came from nowhere to beat Wladimir Klitschko and take the world title. Klitschko was seen as invincible by many boxing commentators, having dominated the heavyweight division for over a decade. Fury’s win over Klitschko in Düsseldorf, Germany on November 28, 2015 was even more special as it happened in Klitschko’s adopted country.
Fury was then involved in an exciting trilogy with Deontay Wilder, former WBC Champion. Fury won the WBC belt from Wilder in their second fight in February 2020 in Las Vegas, making Fury a two-time world champion. Tyson Fury then defended his WBC title in Las Vegas against Deontay Wilder on October 9, 2021, beating Wilder by stunning KO.
In addition to Tyson Fury’s skills as a boxer and destructive fighter, he is a nice and generous person. It’s hard to imagine that any boxer, let alone a heavyweight, would autograph a photo of himself getting punched in the face by his opponent in a world title fight. However, this is precisely what Fury did during a press conference before the fight yesterday, when Oleksandr Usyk asked him to sign a photo of Fury being punched by Usyk during their fight in May. We are told that this photo will be auctioned off with the proceeds being used to help the villagers of Usyk with the war effort in Ukraine.
Although Fury never claimed or wanted to be a role model for others, he is also seen as an inspiration to many with mental health problems, having famously and successfully battled his demons after winning the world title from Wladimir Klitschko .
All in all, Tyson Fury has a lot to contribute to the world if he retires from boxing. His charisma can help launch a potentially lucrative acting career. Alternatively, he could become a successful trainer, assisting and advising young fighters, embarking on a boxing career. The world really is Fury’s oyster.
For now, though, he should be enjoying a well-deserved vacation with his family in his beloved hometown of Morecambe in England.
Thanks, Tyson. We wish you well in whatever you choose to do next.
