For the many Tyson Fury supporters out there, his loss against Oleksandr Usyk last night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a bitter pill to swallow. Fury’s strategy to bulk up to a career-heaviest 281 lbs in a bid 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 does not have the power to inflict knockouts on the major heavyweights, Oleksandr Usyk is a master tactician. People call boxing “the sweet science”, and Usyk is definitely a professor in it.
The question now is what is next for Tyson Fury. There is no contractual obligation for Oleksandr Usyk to fight Fury again. There are also rumors that Usyk will soon move back to Cruiserweight. 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 would not harm 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 victory over Klitschko in Düsseldorf, Germany, on 28 November 2015 was even more special, as it happened in Klitschko’s adopted home country.
Fury was then involved in a thrilling trilogy with Deontay Wilder, formerly 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 09 October 2021, beating Wilder by stunning knockout.
In addition to Tyson Fury’s skills as a boxer and destructive fighter, he is a likable and generous person. It is hard to imagine that any boxer, let alone a heavyweight, would autograph a photo of himself being punched in the face by his opponent at a world title fight. However, this is precisely what Fury did during a press conference in the lead-up to yesterday’s fight, 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 would be auctioned with the proceeds being used to help Usyk’s countrymen with the war effort in Ukraine.
Although Fury has 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 combatted his own 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 him launch a potentially lucrative career in acting. 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 the moment though, he should enjoy a well-deserved holiday with his family in his beloved hometown of Morecambe in England.
Thank you, Tyson. We wish you well in whatever you choose to do next.
