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Oleksandr Usyk has avoided a mandatory challenger in the past. Surely that had some repercussions and a negative impression of Usyk in the eyes of the sanctioning bodies. However, the rumor mills are again running about the Ukrainian doing something similar. And Tyson Fury has quipped that’s why Usyk will be doing that again.
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‘The Cat’ currently reigns as the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight boxing champion. While the WBO belt seems to be missing, he had to relinquish that while avoiding a fight against Fabio Wardley. Now, after the recent developments, even Usyk’s WBC belt is at stake. As such, President Mauricio Sulaiman has ordered him to a mandatory title defense against interim champion Agit Kabayel. However, according to ‘The Gypsy King,’ that is a matchup Usyk will surely avoid.
Tyson Fury shares the harsh reality
“If Usyk fights Kabayel, who cares? I don’t care. No one cares,” said Tyson Fury during an interview with IFL TV. “It doesn’t sell; no one is interested. It is what it is. Kabayel deserves his shot at Usyk, but I don’t think Usyk is going to give it to him because it doesn’t sell, there’s no real money there.”
Oleksandr Usyk is arguably one of the standout boxers in today’s world, who is also nearing his retirement. And at this stage of their careers, boxers usually opt for big money matchups instead. Hence, Fury is quite sure of what Usyk’s decision would be when negotiations for a matchup against Agit Kabayel come around.
Even though Kabayel is also a top fighter with an unblemished record of 27-0, Usyk has his eyes set on a Deontay Wilder fight. For that, Usyk will also have to vacate the WBC heavyweight title. At least this is what ‘The Gypsy King’ believes. But how the Ukrainian champion will assess this mandatory order remains to be seen.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Oleksandr Usyk watches the boxing at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Amid that, Usyk has also been given an option for a voluntary title defense. And as it seems, the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion is looking at Deontay Wilder as a suitable opponent for that. Surely, it would be an electrifying matchup. But does Usyk have any other options?
Can a trilogy bout between Oleksandr Usyk and ‘The Gypsy King’ be on the horizon?
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have fought each other on two occasions. And the outcome of both fights was in favor of the Ukrainian. As such, Fury even took retirement after the second loss against Usyk.
But amid that, ‘The Gypsy King’ also noted that if he were to come back, he would surely eye a trilogy bout. To that extent, even his promoter Frank Warren revealed that the agreement was in place. Now that Fury has come out of his retirement, rumors suggest that the two might scrap against each other again.
“He’ll be begging for a trilogy by the end of the year. There’s no one for him to fight to make any money,” said Fury in an interview with Sky Sports Boxing.
But before that, Fury is already scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, while Usyk targets Deontay Wilder. However, as it seems, ‘The Gypsy King’ seems to be quite sure that the trilogy bout against ‘The Cat’ will surely take place.
Considering the amount of money Fury and Usyk generated in their two bouts, the financial incentives as the reason behind a trilogy fight can be understandable, especially given that the Ukrainian is nearing his retirement.
But do you want to see that bout happen? Let us know in the comments below!

