Oleksandr Usyk issues definitive response to Tyson Fury’s retirement
Heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk has tipped long-time rival Tyson Fury to come out of retirement.
The two boxing stars went head-to-head on two separate occasions last year. In their first encounter back in May, Fury looked like he was starting to run away with the dust-up before the Ukrainian turned it around and eventually got the victory via split decision.
Seven months later, Fury had the chance to get his revenge. Yet again, the 36-year-old started well, stinging Usyk with his jabs. But once again, the Ukrainian found a way to weather the storm before getting his hand raised for the second time, winning via unanimous decision in Riyadh.
A few weeks after the sequel, the ‘Gypsy King’ stunned the boxing world after announcing his retirement. In a video uploaded to social media, he said: “Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet. I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I’m going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. Get up!” That said, Usyk has a sneaky feeling that boxing fans will see him in the ring again.
In an interview with talkSPORT, he said: “I don’t think about it but I think it is not true. Once Tyson has relaxed, and rested, maybe Tyson will be back. Boxing if you do this for a long time: 10, 15, 20, 25 years then boxing is like a drug. If you don’t go to training one day then you feel dead. For me, at least. I train every day. I don’t do boxing every day. Sometimes I do crossfit, and running training. I only do boxing when I am in my camp.”
Recently, the Ukrainian also announced that he has just two more fights left before retiring and has named either Joseph Parker or Daniel Dubois as his next opponent. In an interview with Sky Sports, Usyk – an undisputed champion at both heavyweight and cruiserweight – said: “I will fight who will win, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem. I think two years, one and a half [left in boxing]. I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare [for], not more. Just two.”
Usyk would no doubt be open to a new challenge in Parker, but may also be looking to settle the score with Dubois once and for all. Both men went head-to-head nearly two years ago – with the Ukrainian going on to stop ‘Triple D’ towards the back end of the fight. However, the main talking point from the dust-up came in the fifth round when the Brit landed a shot that sent ‘The Cat’ to the canvas. That said, it was later awarded as a low blow, much to the anger of Dubois.
Dubois was ringside for Usyk’s recent win over Fury back in December. The 27-year-old was labelled ’embarrassing’ after confronting the Ukrainian in the ring just moments after he got his hand raised. Dubois placed himself opposite the Ukrainian and delivered both a challenge and congratulations in a slightly awkward exchange. “I want my revenge,” said Dubois after taking the microphone from the interviewer. “I want my revenge Usyk! Well done tonight, well done. God bless. I want my revenge for the robbery last time. Let’s go, let’s go. Make it happen Frank!”
Usyk quickly asserted he was open to a rematch. He replied: “Your excellency, make the fight with Daniel Dubois. Thank you so much. I can do more. I’m ready to fight (Dubois), no problem. Next fight no problem. Now I want to go home and rest.”
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