WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has once again announced his intention to return to the boxing ring, just weeks after retiring from the sport. The 33-year-old, known fondly as “The Gypsy King”, comfortably defeated Dillian Whyte in a sell-out fight at London’s Wembley Stadium in April. Despite insisting that would be his final bout in the ring, few believed Fury’s retirement calls and so it has proved, with the Manchester star still thriving off the boxing limelight.
Fury has called out fellow Brit, Derek Chisora, in what would be the pair’s third bout throughout the course of their careers. Fury is keen to create this “trilogy”, with Chisora well-regarded as one of the most durable heavyweights in the sport. Chisora recently came through a gruelling battle of his own, defeating Kubrat Pulev on a points decision. Many in the boxing industry have questioned why Chisora continues to fight at this late stage in his career, but a third and final bout with Fury would represent a massive payday for Chisora and a great way to bow out of the sport.
Tyson Fury looks set to train without SugarHill Steward by his side
Fury took to social media to announce his return to the ring and the appointment of a new trainer in the shape of former English and Commonwealth featherweight champion Isaac Lowe. It’s likely that Fury views Chisora as a convenient match-up to avoid ring-rust while he awaits the final “headline” fight of his career.
The most obvious fight for Fury after a third clash with Chisora would be the winner of September’s duel between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. It would tee up a bout to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, with all of boxing’s heavyweight belts on the line. It would be the perfect way for Fury to go out – concluding a trilogy with Chisora before being crowned the best of the best.
If the sportsbooks are to be believed, Usyk is hotly fancied to win his rematch with Joshua after landing a shock win in their first fight. The Ukrainian is currently priced at -210 with FanDuel to overcome Joshua for a second successive time. This sportsbook, which originally started out as a daily fantasy sports brand, has since become a font of sports betting knowledge. Boxing fans flock here due to the competitive odds and generous marketing campaigns at FanDuel, which is now available in more than a dozen US states and multiple countries overseas.
If FanDuel’s traders are correct, and Usyk goes on to win his rematch with Joshua, it would be a remarkable match-up with Fury. Both fighters are considered some of the best technicians in the ring of their generation, blessed with pure boxing ability. Although British sports fans want the mouth-watering prospect of an all-British Fury Vs Joshua fight, the boxing industry wants to see the best of the best lock horns and Fury Vs Usyk certainly ticks all the right boxes.
Anthony Joshua snubbed by his own fight promoter
With a potential undisputed heavyweight clash between Fury and Joshua still firmly on the cards if the latter does the business in Saudi Arabia, it was surprising to see Joshua’s promoter wax lyrical about Fury’s capabilities. Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn described Fury as the best heavyweight on the planet, even though it “pains [him] to say it”.
Hearn is in a difficult position when it comes to Usyk Vs Joshua, given that he promotes both fighters. However, his insistence that Fury is better than both of his charges is founded upon the “facts”, according to Hearn. Nevertheless, Hearn and Usyk’s camp are said to have been locked in negotiations over a fight with Fury providing he overcomes Joshua again. Fury’s US promoter, Bob Arum, has been in discussions and revealed Usyk’s team “would be anxious to fight Tyson Fury”, with a potential bout likely in “December or early next year”.
With Fury regularly stating his desire to retire soon from the sport and spend more time with his family, it seems like only Chisora and Usyk or Joshua stand in the way of the Gypsy King pulling down the curtain on an illustrious, undefeated heavyweight boxing career.
