On 10 April 2026, British heavyweight Tyson Fury said he is no longer prioritising a third fight with Oleksandr Usykdespite ongoing private messages between the two fighters, just ahead of his scheduled comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, 11 April, following his two defeats to Usyk in 2024 when the Ukrainian became the first undisputed four-belt heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. The shift comes amid renewed debate around the key question — “Does the heavyweight division still need Oleksandr Usyk-Fury III?” — as Fury signals a change in priorities before his return to the ring. The WP Times reports this, citing talkSPORT and British boxing media (UK, 10 April 2026).
Fury confirmed direct contact with Usyk via social media and said: “We speak over on Instagram and on Messenger and stuff” (Tyson Fury, interview cited by talkSPORT, April 2026). He added that Usyk pushed for a third fight, stating: “He said, ‘we will do the third fight very soon’” (Tyson Fury, via talkSPORT, April 2026). Fury framed that interest in financial terms: “Obviously – because I am the f***ing cash cow. They all want to fight ‘The Gypsy King’, of course they do” (Tyson Fury, via talkSPORT, April 2026).
He also questioned judging in a potential trilogy: “I said to him ‘are they going to give you the decision before we go in there?’” (Tyson Fury, via talkSPORT, April 2026), adding that Usyk responded with “laughing faces” (Tyson Fury, via talkSPORT, April 2026). Fury then made his position explicit: “It is what it is, no hard feelings, Oleksandr got his victories and fair play to him, but it’s not about Oleksandr anymore” (Tyson Fury, via talkSPORT, April 2026).
This marks a clear shift from his earlier stance after the 2024 losses, when he insisted he had done enough to win and pursued a trilogy, a position also supported by promoter Frank Warren (“a third crack at Usyk”, UK media interviews, 2024–2025). Fury now returns after a 16-month layoff, with the Makhmudov fight on 11 April acting as a decisive step before any future negotiations.
At the same time, alternative fights are gaining priority. A potential clash with Anthony Joshua is increasingly viewed as a major commercial event in the UK, while contenders such as Agit Kabayel, Fabio Wardley, Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma are expanding the competitive field. Usyk himself has not committed to a trilogy and is considering other routes.
Comparative profile: Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk (trilogy context)
| Category | Tyson Fury | Oleksandr Usyk |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-head | 0–2 (lost in 2024) | 2–0 (won in 2024) |
| Status 2026 | Comeback after 16 months | Undisputed champion (2024) |
| Position on trilogy | “It’s not about Oleksandr anymore” (Fury, April 2026) | Suggested third fight “very soon” |
| Commercial role | “I am the… cash cow” (Fury, April 2026) | High global demand |
| Next fight | Makhmudov (11 April 2026) | Not fixed |
| Priority | Open options (Joshua, others) | Flexible opponents |
The current balance shows that while Oleksandr Usyk remains central to the division’s recent history, Tyson Fury is repositioning toward broader opportunities. With a 2–0 record in Usyk’s favour, the sporting need for a trilogy is limited, leaving Usyk-Fury III as a commercially driven option rather than an immediate competitive requirement.
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