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Oleksandr Usyk

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The undisputed heavyweight champion has eyes on Anthony Joshua.

There wasn’t ever really much of a doubt when it came to who Oleksandr Usyk would fight after defeating Tyson Fury in May. After capturing the undisputed heavyweight titles, Fury instantaneously activated his rematch clause, which nearly any boxer would have done.

JUST IN: Francis Ngannou Makes Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury Prediction After Losing to Both…

After some bumps in the road, all of the pieces fell into place in the heavyweight division. Usyk accepted the rematch, Daniel Dubois beat Filip Hrgovic for the IBF interim belt that Usyk had to relinquish, and Anthony Joshua waited in the wings to get a title shot. Joshua is set to face Dubois in September for that same belt, and the winner would move on to face either Usyk or Fury.

Usyk is “ready” for Anthony Joshua trilogy fight

TYSON FURY VS ANTHONY JOSHUA AND FRANCIS NGANNOU

Fury is adamant he will win and get revenge, but Usyk is brimming with confidence; so much so that he’s already thinking about fighting Joshua before anything even materializes. He gave an interview to Mail Sport Boxing on Friday.

SEE MORE: Oleksandr Usyk would welcome a potential trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua…

I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight. From my point of view I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world.

Anthony Joshua and  Daniel Dubois

Usyk and Joshua have already fought twice before. The Ukrainian came out on top in both. The first was a unanimous decision and the second bout was a split decision that probably should have been unanimous as well.

Since that second loss to Usyk, Joshua has completely turned around his career. After a UD win over Jermaine Franklin, he rattled off three straight knockout victories, including a stunning one of Francis Ngannou in March. Joshua and Usyk are ready to run it back, but they have to handle business first.

RELATED: Oleksandr Usyk would welcome a potential trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua…

British fighter is in a much better run of form than in his previous two fights with Ukrainian champion

Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his willingness to face Anthony Joshua for a third time, following his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

JUST IN: Francis Ngannou Makes Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury Prediction After Losing to Both…

The Ukrainian boxing star, who sat down with Mail Sport in Poland earlier this month, reflected on his recent victory over Fury and discussed potential future bouts.

TYSON FURY VS ANTHONY JOSHUA AND FRANCIS NGANNOU

Usyk secured a split-decision win over Fury on May 18, with judges scoring the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, and 114-113 Usyk, making him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Fury, now with a professional record of 34-1-1, will seek redemption in their highly anticipated rematch on December 21. However, Usyk remains confident in his ability to secure another victory over the Gypsy King.

When asked about his plans following the Fury rematch, Usyk revealed to Mail Sport that he would consider a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua.

He acknowledged the significant role Joshua played in elevating his profile.

“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight,” Usyk declared.

“From my point of view, I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.

OLEKSANDR USYK

Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.

Usyk vs. Joshua Fights: Career-defining rivalry

The first two encounters between Usyk and Joshua were pivotal moments in both fighters’ careers. The initial bout took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Joshua defended his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

SEE MORE: “I’m Crushed Right Now”: Mike Tyson’s Son Mourns the Death of His Aunt Who Died Due to ‘Evil’ Disease

Usyk, who had moved up to heavyweight, was considered a dangerous but manageable opponent for Joshua, who had the advantages of size and power.

From the opening bell, Usyk’s superior footwork, speed, and technical prowess were evident. Utilizing his southpaw stance effectively, Usyk outmaneuvered Joshua throughout the fight, landing clean shots and disrupting the British heavyweight’s rhythm.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Usyk was in control, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory and handing Joshua his second career defeat.

The rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw a more determined Joshua, who adopted a more aggressive approach, focusing on body shots and trying to close the distance. The fight was more competitive, with Joshua finding success in the middle rounds.

However, Usyk’s adaptability and resilience allowed him to regain control in the later rounds, particularly with a strong finish. The final decision was again in Usyk’s favor, this time by split decision, leaving Joshua unable to reclaim his belts despite a spirited effort.

Joshua’s road to redemption

Anthony Joshua and  Daniel Dubois

Since his second defeat to UsykJoshua has gone on to secure wins against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou.

He is now set to face Daniel Dubois in September. If the opportunity arises, Joshua will be eager for a third shot at Usyk, seeking to avenge his previous losses and reclaim his position at the top of the heavyweight division.

RELATED: David Price Predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “I Always Thought It Would Be A Whitewash”…

Despite still being a novice in the sport, Francis Ngannou has been in the ring with two of the best heavyweights in the division.

JUST IN: Francis Ngannou to make long-awaited MMA comeback against 6ft 8in giant after boxing defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua…

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

French-Cameroonian Ngannou has had just two professional boxing matches. His debut came against Tyson Fury in October of 2023 when he put up a much better performance than many thought he would.

The former UFC heavyweight champion managed to stay at range and box well across the 10 rounds, and famously put Fury down with a big shot in the third. Though he never really got going into his usual rhythm, Fury rallied and did enough to win a split decision on the cards.

SEE MORE: Mike Tyson Tells Tyson Fury Exactly How To Beat Oleksandr Usyk In Rematch…

In March of this year. it was Anthony Joshua‘s turn to take on the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, who has registered the hardest puncher ever recorded. The fight lasted just two rounds with two knockdowns from Joshua before a devastating right ended it in dramatic fashion.

Since then, Fury has gone on to lose his first-ever fight against Oleksandr Usyk, while Joshua is currently in camp for his IBF world title shot at Daniel Dubois.

Anthony Joshua and  Daniel Dubois

Having faced both men, Ngannou was asked by iFL TV who would win should we get the all-British showdown that fans have wanted for so long, and he went with the power of Joshua.

“I would give it to ‘AJ’ right now.”

Ngannou has since made good on his promise to return to MMA and will face Renan Ferreira on his return to the Octagon on October 19.

Joshua has a chance to win the IBF World Title from Dubois on September 21 and Fury rematches Usyk three months later for the three remaining belts. Should both win, the long-awaited fight may finally happen in 2025.

RELATED: Mike Tyson Tells Tyson Fury Exactly How To Beat Oleksandr Usyk In Rematch…

There are two huge fights on the horizon for boxing once winter rolls around.

The first is the much talked about inter-generational coming together of a former heavyweight legend and a new school disrupter.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson

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Mike Tyson hasn’t fought in anger for some 20 years but will be lacing up the gloves aged almost 60 for a professional bout against YouTuber turned 11-0 boxer Jake Paul in November.

Opinion is divided as to whether the younger man should be concerned for this safety up against a once notoriously savage puncher in Tyson, or whether it is the veteran who has often been seen walking with a stick due to sciatica who should be worried.

The other headline-grabbing bout is Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury seven months after the Ukrainian defeated the Brit in the first undisputed heavyweight showdown in almost 25 years back in May.

SEE MORE: Former Heavyweight Champion ‘Knows’ Tyson Fury Is Scared To Face Him: “They Lied About Me”

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

After the fight which Fury narrowly lost on points after taking a 10 count in round nine, he claimed that the contest was ‘too easy’ and that he was having too much fun ring in the ring and that he therefore took his eye off the ball.

Ahead of that much-anticipated rematch out in Saudi Arabia and speaking to Boxing King Media, ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ said ‘The Gypsy King’ can avenge his only career defeat and had one clear instruction on what he must do to be victorious next time.

“Take it serious.”

After some controversy surrounding the corner work from Fury’s team in the first fight, Teddy Atlas has insisted things should remain unchanged in the rematch.

RELATED: “I’m Crushed Right Now”: Mike Tyson’s Son Mourns the Death of His Aunt Who Died Due to ‘Evil’ Disease

 

For many years now, there has been one heavyweight fight that the world has wanted to see.

That is the all-British showdown between former Olympic champion Anthony Joshua and the former Lineal champion Tyson Fury.

JUST IN: Mike Tyson comeback ’20 times worse’ than Manny Pacquiao

Their paths have never yet crossed in the ring for a range of reasons. Right now, Joshua is the man in form with a run of four back-to-back wins in the last 18 months, while Fury is coming off his first-ever loss.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Back in May, ‘The Gypsy King’ was dethroned and failed to become undisputed champion when he took on Oleksandr Usyk.

Speaking to Seconds Out, former heavyweight contender David Price was asked whether he thought the two will ever manage to get it on in the future and said it all depends on the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Usyk in December.

SEE MORE: Former Heavyweight Champion ‘Knows’ Tyson Fury Is Scared To Face Him: “They Lied About Me”

“I’d obviously love that to happen.

It’s just going to depend on the circumstances of Tyson Fury at the end of the day. Will he want to continue if he loses to Usyk and go back to the table with Joshua on an even keel or even as the B-side fighter at that point.

But money talks doesn’t. They can have as much money in the bank but it’s still tempting to come back for that little bit more. It might just be a personal thing that he wants to fight Joshua. I know Joshua wants the fight. It’s just a shame it hasn’t happened yet.”

Anthony Joshua and  Daniel Dubois

He then picked a winner and narrowly sided with ‘The Gypsy King.’

“If it does happen I was always convinced it would be a whitewash for Fury but Joshua has found his aura again, his form again, that belief, and I’d probably have it 60-40 in Fury’s favour.”

Should this mouthwatering clash ever come to pass, Fury will need to get through Usyk and Joshua will need to see off Daniel Dubois when they fight for the IBF title in September.

If both of them get wins, they could potentially come together for what would be an epic undisputed fight for all of the belts in 2025.

RELATED: Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Who Beat Mike Tyson Wants Jake Paul Fight

Tyson Fury co-starred in the first undisputed heavyweight clash in over two decades this year, losing out on a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk.

Before the fight was made, the Brit’s team came under fire from some corners of the boxing world for matchmaking, choosing a voluntary defence against Derek Chisora in late 2022 before returning ten months later to face former UFC Champion and boxing debutant, Francis Ngannou.

During that time, Fury said that nobody was willing to step up and face him, including former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. The Mexican-American – who was ranked highly with the WBC at the time – was accused of pricing himself out, with claims that he asked for $20 million for the bout.

Speaking to Cornerman Boxing, Ruiz Jr said that it was a lie to cover up the fact that Fury was afraid to fight him.

“Tyson Fury – everybody kept saying that I was asking for too much money. Everything was a lie, bro. That’s what I know that people are scared to fight me. That’s why I gotta be 100%.

Yes [I think Fury is scared]. Everybody is. Everybody is always gonna underestimate this little man. It’s gonna be hard. With my style it’s a little hard to adapt to.”

A fight between the pair couldn’t seem further away at this point, with Fury set to rematch Usyk in December and Ruiz to return from a near-two year layoff to face Jarrell Miller on August 3.

Should he win, the 34-year-old is adamant he still wants the fight as well as a challenge against Usyk and a trilogy with Anthony Joshua – the man he won three belts from before losing them back in an immediate second fight.

Following a fascinating first encounter, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalries on December 21.

When these two heavyweight champions first met in May, it was the first time the undisputed title had been contested since Lennox Lewis won it almost a quarter of a century before.

In a close fight, both men had periods of success, though it was the Ukrainian southpaw who landed the standout blow of the battle and sent Fury spinning around the ropes to earn himself a knockdown.

After 12 rounds, he was awarded a split decision win to become the holder of all four major belts plus the Ring Magazine and lineal title, six years after doing the same down at cruiserweight, and 12 years after becoming an Olympic gold medalist.

Speaking to the Criminal Connection Podcast, former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno was asked for his view on who won the fight and said he scored it in favour Usyk.

“Usyk won, I think. You can’t really deny that. You can try and go round the corners or whatever but Usyk won.”

Since the final bell, Usyk has admitted he made mistakes that will not be repeated in the rematch, while Fury has said he was having too much fun and next time will get the job done properly.

Former Fury victim Dillian Whyte has claimed it could be hard for ‘The Gyspy King’ to turn things around in the second fight given the toll previous battles may have taken him and mindful of the fact that Usyk’s confidence will be through the roof after winning the initial meeting.

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