For the many Tyson Fury fans out there, his loss to Oleksandr Usyk last night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was a bitter pill to swallow. Fury’s strategy of lifting to a career-heaviest 281 pounds in an attempt to impose his size on the smaller Usyk worked to some extent. However, Usyk’s ringcraft saw him through again in the rematch. Although he lacks the power to deliver the big heavyweight knockouts, Oleksandr Usyk is a master tactician. People call boxing “the sweet science”, and Usyk is definitely a professor at it.
The question now is what’s next for Tyson Fury. There is no contractual obligation for Oleksandr Usyk to fight Fury again. Usyk is also rumored to move back down to Cruiserweight soon. If that is the case, the only possible way for Tyson Fury to fight for the world heavyweight title again is for him to compete for the WBO belt currently held by Daniel Dubois.
If Fury chooses to retire, it will not harm his reputation. He will be remembered as a two-time world heavyweight boxing champion. Fury came out of nowhere to beat Wladimir Klitschko and win the world title. Klitschko was considered invincible by many boxing commentators, having dominated the heavyweight division for over a decade. Fury’s win over Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany on November 28, 2015 was even more special as it happened in Klitschko’s adopted home country.
Fury was then involved in an exciting 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 October 09, 2021, beating Wilder with a stunning knockout.
In addition to Tyson Fury’s skills as a boxer and destructive fighter, he is a kind and generous person. It’s hard to imagine that any boxer, let alone a heavyweight, would sign a photo of himself getting punched in the face by his opponent during a world title fight. However, that’s exactly what Fury did during a press conference in the lead-up to yesterday’s fight, when Oleksandr Usyk asked him to draw a picture of Fury being beaten by Usyk during their fight in May. We are told that this photo will be auctioned off with the proceeds used to help Usyk’s countrymen with the war effort in Ukraine.
Although Fury has never claimed to be a role model for others, he is also seen as an inspiration to many with mental health issues, having famously and successfully battled 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 could help him launch a potentially lucrative career in acting. Alternatively, he could become a successful trainer, assist and advise young fighters and embark on a boxing career. The world really is Fury’s oyster.
For now, however, he should be enjoying a well-deserved holiday with his family in his beloved hometown of Morecambe in England.
Thanks, Tyson. We wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do next.
