Tyson Fury has cast serious doubt on Oleksandr Usyk’s rumored plans to drop back down to the 200lbs cruiserweight division and pursue an undisputed championship showdown against David Benavidez, suggesting that his rival’s future in the sport relies almost entirely on the prospect of securing another lucrative heavyweight payday against him.
The Ukrainian pound-for-pound star has remained inactive since May, a period during which he added another notable victory to his legendary resume by securing a tougher-than-expected 11th-round stoppage victory over former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. That outing saw Usyk step onto the scales at a career-heaviest weight of 233 pounds, reflecting his successful, multi-year campaign in boxing’s premier weight class where he eventually unified the division.
Shortly after that grueling victory, Usyk made waves across the boxing landscape by announcing that he would be relinquishing his WBC, IBF, and WBA heavyweight titles ahead of what he billed as his final professional fight. Initially, the division anticipated a massive, long-awaited undisputed defense or a definitive showdown against American knockout artist Deontay Wilder. However, boxing’s shifting landscape quickly altered those trajectories, and the two heavyweights ultimately went their separate ways, leaving Usyk’s next competitive step shrouded in mystery and speculation.
The uncertainty surrounding the 39-year-old’s next move deepened recently when Usyk publicly teased a dramatic drop back down to cruiserweight during the DAZN broadcast for the Canelo Alvarez versus Christian Mbilli card. The possibility quickly gained traction across various media outlets after Usyk’s close advisor, Sergey Lapin, explicitly confirmed that the former undisputed heavyweight champion is actively eyeing a high-profile clash with unified champion David Benavidez.
According to reports from camp and surrounding promotional circles, Usyk’s ambitious blueprint involves stepping back down to the 200-pound limit specifically to challenge Benavidez in an undisputed championship encounter. Yet, this narrative has been met with immediate skepticism from Fury, who twice shared the ring with Usyk in a pair of fiercely contested bouts throughout 2024, suffering his first professional defeat in their first encounter before Usyk repeated the feat in their subsequent rematch.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Michelle Joy Phelps, Fury evaluated the logistical and financial realities of Usyk’s reported career trajectory and concluded that a cruiserweight expedition simply does not align with the Ukrainian’s current motivations in the twilight of his career.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. If it’s not against me, then Oleksandr Usyk won’t be fighting again,” Fury told Michelle Joy Phelps when discussing the viability of the Benavidez matchup. Elaborating further on his former rival’s mindset, the British heavyweight star emphasized the singular driving force behind a potential return to the squared circle. “He just wants a big payday, and I’m the man to give him that. I can’t see him dropping down to fight Benavidez, and I can’t see him fighting random Joe Bloggs fighters for no money.”
Fury’s assessment sheds light on the economic realities of elite-level prizefighting, where fighters of Usyk’s stature command purses that are typically reserved for marquee heavyweight blockbusters. While a clash against a dynamic, heavy-handed elite operator like David Benavidez would undoubtedly capture the imagination of boxing traditionalists and purists worldwide, the financial incentives might fall well short of what Usyk could command for a trilogy fight against Fury or another major heavyweight attraction.
Furthermore, Fury revealed that recent direct communications with his former rival have highlighted a timeline that suggests a swift return to the ring is unlikely. During their discussions regarding the possibility of Usyk stepping in as a potential replacement opponent for Anthony Joshua, Usyk reportedly indicated that the absolute earliest he would be physically prepared and ready to compete again would be March.
That timeline opens the door for meaningful discussions regarding a potential trilogy bout between Fury and Usyk next year, provided the landscape of the heavyweight division aligns accordingly. However, before any serious negotiations or formal announcements can take place regarding a third chapter in their storied rivalry, Fury must navigate his immediate professional obligations.
For now, all of Fury’s focus remains firmly fixed on his upcoming scheduled appearance, as he prepares for his high-stakes clash against arch-rival Anthony Joshua, which remains pencilled in for December 11. As the winter fight date approaches, the wider boxing world continues to watch closely, waiting to see whether Fury can successfully clear his next hurdle and whether Usyk ultimately decides to pursue a lucrative trilogy or hang up his gloves for good.
