Usyk Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Tyson Fury Should Stay Retired After Beating Him Twice

Oleksandr Usyk has given his view on the retirement status of Tyson Fury.

‘The Gypsy King’ walked away from the sport back in January just weeks after a second consecutive defeat to Usyk. The first was in May 2024 when he failed in a historic bid to become undisputed champion, and the rematch went the same way with Fury losing a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

The announcement dashed hopes of Fury and long-time British rival and fellow former champion Anthony Joshua fighting, at least for now. Joshua – who also lost twice to the Ukrainian – has not fought since September when he was stopped inside five rounds by current IBF ruler Daniel Dubois, and has been recovered from an elbow injury since to prepare for a comeback in the second half of this year.

Fury has retired before and made successful comebacks to the sport, so he has precedent for it. Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Usyk was asked about Fury and whether or not he thinks he is really retired. When it comes to fighting ‘AJ,’ the former undisputed champion says he prays it happens.

“I think he’s not retired. I think Tyson continues training, continues boxing, because he’s a great man. Yes, Tyson Fury a lot of speak, blah blah blah blah blah, but he’s a great man … I believe in Jesus so I pray to say hey, help these two guys organise this fight. It will be a great fight, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.”

Right now, the man from Morecambe remains away from the sport and as such, Joshua is being linked with potential fights with the likes of Deontay Wilder instead, who makes his own low-key comeback later this month.

As for Usyk, he rematches Dubois in July on a bid to become two-time undisputed heavyweight champ.