Oleksandr Usyk's plans look incredibly different to Tyson Fury's(Image: PA)

Oleksandr Usyk’s dream scenario – Tyson Fury trilogy off, world champion agrees to fight

20 Dec 2024, 20:00 by Aaron Morris · Wales Online

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to face off for the second time this year tonight (Saturday) in a heavyweight showdown at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The 'Gypsy King' is eyeing a third bout with the undefeated Ukrainian, should he emerge victorious from their upcoming clash – however, Usyk's plans differ significantly if he manages to secure another win. The pair first squared off in the same arena they'll be returning to this weekend back in May, where Usyk narrowly won by split decision after 12 rounds.

'The Cat' demonstrated superior speed and strategy against Fury, with judges scoring the match 115-112, 114-113, 113-114 in his favour. Usyk claimed Fury's WBC heavyweight title with his victory, adding it to his WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO belts, making him the first undisputed champion in the division since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

However, his reign was brief, as he relinquished his IBF belt to grant Fury an immediate rematch instead of facing mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, who has since unified his interim belt with the organisation. Usyk will be putting his WBA, WBC and WBO belts on the line when he faces Fury again this Saturday – but what lies ahead for the 37-year-old if he secures another victory over his long-standing adversary?

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Watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk II
Watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksander Usyk 2 live on DAZN

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns again on December 21 with the Brit attempting to avenge his defeat by the Ukrainian in May. Victory for Fury could also set up a huge domestic showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua next year

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The trilogy fight collapses

Fury has not been shy about advocating for a third bout with Usyk if he comes out on top in their upcoming clash. The 36-year-old was overheard reassuring his promoter Frank Warren that a trilogy confrontation would be inevitable to finally determine the superior fighter during a DAZN face-to-face before the fight.

Warren said: "A lot of journalists and what you read afterwards, they were saying whoever won the fight was going to be the best heavyweight of the 21st century, the fight unified champion and they'd go up there with all the greats of the past. I'm glad they've said that because, at the moment, Oleksandr got the result and won the split decision, but [if] Tyson wins it, that's where that mantle will go. That he is the best of his generation."

Oleksandr Usyk won the first encounter(Image: Getty Images)

However, Fury cut into Warren's words, insisting: "No Frank, there will be a rematch. A trilogy. There's got to be. If he wins one and I win one, I can't say I'm better and he can't say he's better. There has to be a third one."

Despite Fury's confidence in a potential trilogy, Usyk has his own vision of the future should he triumph over Fury once again...

Usyk returns to cruiserweight

Having clinched heavyweight success in recent years, world champion Usyk embarked on his boxing career at a lighter weight, boasting a 16-fight unbeaten streak between 176lbs and 200lbs. His first world title was the WBO cruiserweight belt, which he secured with a unanimous decision over Krzysztof Glowacki in September 2016, then further extended his reign by snatching the WBC title with a majority decision against Mairis Briedis in January 2018.

In July of that same year, Usyk conquered both the WBA (Super) and IBF cruiserweight titles through a unanimous decision win against Murat Gassiev, later defending all his belts with an eighth-round knockout of Tony Bellew that November. Alas, since climbing up to heavyweight and vacating his previous titles in 2019, he has yet to return to cruiserweight competition.

Usyk has already achieved greatness at cruiserweight(Image: Getty Images)

But should Usyk emerge victorious in his upcoming bout with Fury this Saturday, a comeback to cruiserweight is not out of the question, as he told Sky Sports News: "[If] I win again, [in] a second fight, I'll try cruiserweight again [for the undisputed title]. I'll try. I feel good. [This is] the 13th round because I feel like this."

If Usyk is to consolidate his cruiserweight gold collection, he will have a challenging road ahead – his first potential opponent could be WBA (Super) and WBO title holder, Gilberto Ramirez. The Mexican fighter, with a record of 47-1, secured the WBA belt following a unanimous decision victory over Arsen Goulamirian in March this year, before taking Chris Billam Smith's WBO belt in a similar fashion last month.

Alternatively, Usyk might consider pursuing other opportunities for gold. He could negotiate a match with Badou Jack, who boasts a 28-3-3 record and won the WBC title in February 2023, or Jai Opetaia, an undefeated 26-0 fighter who has held the IBF title since July 2022 and has successfully defended it four times so far.