The highly anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk promises to further cement one of these fighters as the heavyweight kingpin of the modern era.
The first fight ended with Usyk narrowly edging out Fury via split decision in May, handing the Gypsy King a first career loss. This makes the clash on December 21 even more significant, as you feel for the Brit that it’s now or never at the top.
Both men carry not only the hopes of their respective nations but also the weight of legacy. A win for either would solidify their place in boxing history, with Fury potentially reclaiming his titles or Usyk further bolstering his remarkable reign.
It’s an incredibly tough fight to call, and that’s reflected in the Fury betting odds, with Usyk's IBO, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles on the line. Usyk, the first undisputed champion of this millennium, slightly edges it, but Fury’s knockout power, as well as the amount that he has to lose, certainly evens things up in Riyadh.
But what comes next for two of the greats in modern boxing? Whether a trilogy bout or a shift to new opponents, the heavyweight division is brimming with compelling options – this fight does indeed have implications far beyond their individual legacies. It will shape the heavyweight division’s landscape. Here we look at the potential opponents for both the Cat and the Gypsy King.
Usyk: The IBF title picture
For fourth months, Usyk was the undisputed champion of the world, with his win over Fury unifying the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts - the four major championships.
The Ukrainian had to relinquish the IBF belt earlier this year due to the organisation’s mandatory defence requirements, paving the way for Daniel Dubois to claim the vacant title with a sensational upset victory over Anthony Joshua in September.
Dubois is now set to defend his belt against former WBO champion Joseph Parker on 22 February in Saudi Arabia, but the stars could align so the two meet as early as 2025.
Many feel the Brit was unlucky when he travelled to Poland to take on Usyk last year. Seen as a huge underdog in the boxing betting odds, Dubois floored Usyk in the fifth round in Poland, but it was deemed a low blow, and Usyk was given almost four minutes to recover, eventually knocking Frank Warren’s man out.
At 27, Dubois has recovered massively since that defeat, dropping AJ multiple times within four rounds and providing a fresh challenge for Usyk. But he must beat Parker first. The 32-year-old New Zealander would relish the chance to become a two-time world champion and will make things difficult in hopes of one last shot at glory against the Cat.
Fury: A dream battle of the Brits
As early as 2022, Fury looked like his time in the ring was up. Having come back out of retirement to fight Dereck Chisora and MMA fighter Francis Ngannou, the legacy element of his career is threatened to be overshadowed if he is dealt another big blow in Riyadh.
Fury could well ride off into the sunset with one big payday, and despite being adamant a trilogy bout will happen with Usyk, attention could turn to home soil and a dream match with Joshua at Wembley.
For years, fans have been clamouring for Fury to face Joshua in a battle of Britain’s best heavyweights of the last 20 years.
While both men’s careers have taken different paths, 2025 might finally bring this generational clash to life, especially with promoter Eddie Hearn recently declaring the fight “must happen by the end of 2025.”
For Fury, a showdown with Joshua could be the ultimate swan song—a fight to cap off a storied career. With Saudi Arabia’s significant investment in boxing, a venue like Riyadh could offer the financial backing to ensure the bout finally materialises, providing both fighters with a career-defining payday, but many would love to have Wembley as the dream venue and a sellout crowd.
While a third Fury-Usyk clash would delay other marquee matchups, it could also draw massive interest. Heavyweight trilogies often produce unforgettable moments, and a decider between two of the best in the division would add another layer of drama to their rivalry.
