
Oleksandr Usyk reveals stance on Tyson Fury trilogy fight
Usyk beat Fury twice on points in 2024 to cement his place as the best heavyweight on the planet and is set for another undisputed clash when he faces Daniel Dubois at Wembley on Saturday night.
Fury announced his retirement at the start of the year following his second loss to Usyk, but claimed on Instagram earlier this month that he will be returning to the ring for a trilogy fight with Usyk next April.
Usyk is aware of Fury's social media antics but is unsure whether he will go through with his retirement U-turn and insists he is fully focused on beating Dubois this weekend.
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Usyk said: 'I don't judge Tyson Fury. But I don't know what's going on.'
Pushed further on whether a fight with Fury was being arranged, Usyk replied: 'I don't know, now I don't think about this.
'We have a fight in 2026? You crazy guy! After the fight (against Dubois), we speak about it.'
Usyk has previously stated that he is planning to have just two more fights before hanging up his gloves for good.
The first will be his rematch against Dubois, with the Ukrainian aiming for a repeat victory after beating the Brit via ninth-round stoppage in Poland two years ago.
But Usyk's opponent for his potential swansong remains unclear. Fury believes he deserves a third shot at Usyk after their two hard-fought battles last year, while a trilogy bout with Anthony Joshua could also appeal to the undefeated heavyweight king.
Usyk has also spoken in the past about a crossover bout with UFC star Alex Pereira, but that now appears unlikely after the Brazilian lost his last fight against Magomed Ankalaev in March.
Joseph Parker is in line for a chance to become a two-time world champion, while rising star Moses Itauma is also rapidly climbing the rankings, and one of the heavyweight duo could be chosen as Usyk's final foe.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Charlotte Dujardin made dressage comeback at Gloucestershire event
Former Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin returned to action at the weekend after serving a one-year suspension from the sport. The 40-year-old competed at the Hunters Equestrian event in Gloucestershire, marking her first action since she was banned over a horse whipping controversy which came to light just prior to the start of the Paris Olympics last summer. Dujardin, who has won six Olympic medals including individual gold in 2012 and 2016, had a one-year ban imposed on her by the sport's international federation, the FEI, in December but had been provisionally suspended since July 23 last year. Dujardin is now free to enter and compete in domestic events and does not need to seek permission from the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) to do so. She would need to seek BEF permission to compete internationally. Dujardin won in two categories at the Hunters Equestrian on her new horse, Special Effect. It is not clear where Dujardin will compete next, but she would need to reach a regional final in order to qualify for September's National Championships in Cheshire. Dujardin was provisionally suspended last July after the FEI launched an investigation into a video showing her whipping a horse during a coaching session. Dujardin accepted she had made 'an error of judgement' and fully accepted the sanction imposed on her. She revealed last December, at the time the FEI imposed the ban, that she had been pregnant at the time the incident came to light.


The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Fara Williams hopeful Sarina Wiegman will sign new contract as England manager
Former England midfielder Fara Williams is hopeful 'incredible woman' Sarina Wiegman will remain in her role as Lionesses head coach beyond 2027 after her double European Championship success. England have won 35 of their 48 matches under Wiegman, with Sunday's Euro 2025 final victory over Spain in Basel sealing a triumphant defence of the title won in 2022 and serving as revenge for defeat in the World Cup showpiece in Australia two years ago. The 55-year-old, who took up the Lionesses' reins in September 2021, is under contract with the Football Associations until summer 2027, and Williams would love to see her stay at the helm even past that point. 'I don't think any of us want to lose Sarina,' Williams, England's most capped player, told the PA news agency. 'Even when we've maybe doubted the Lionesses, I guess this tournament… we spoke a lot about her substitutions and timing of them, but whenever you seem to doubt Sarina, she pulls through. 'The incredible woman she is, the incredible manager she is and coach that she is and how she can galvanise a group of players and get them to win games even when things aren't looking pretty on the pitch.' Wiegman has now won the last three European Championships, having guided the Netherlands to 2017 glory. The Dutch team went on to reach the World Cup final two years later, meaning Wiegman has now reached five straight finals in major tournaments. 'To go to five back-to-back tournament finals is an unbelievable achievement,' Williams said. 'I would love for them to give her a contract even further than than 2027, but at some point she might need a break. 'But, let her have that break after hopefully bringing a World Cup back for us!' The Euro 2025 winners landed back in England on Monday afternoon and were immediately whisked off to a reception at 10 Downing Street. The celebrations continue on Tuesday with an open-top bus parade through central London.


The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Eddie Howe admits he is not in ‘full control' of Alexander Isak's future
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted that he is not in 'full control' over Alexander Isak's future. Isak has been heavily linked with Liverpool after it was reported the 25-year-old was keen to explore a move away from Newcastle. The Sweden striker still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, who he joined in the summer of 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad, but has been absent from the club's pre-season tour of the Far East. 'He is still our player. He's contracted to us,' Howe said at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. 'We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. 'My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control. 'We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.' Liverpool are expected to step up in their interest in Isak – who scored 23 goals last season as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League – with their Colombia forward Luis Diaz on the brink of joining Bayern Munich.