Now that the rematch is behind him, Tyson Fury stands at a pivotal crossroads in his career. The 36-year-old former heavyweight champion suffered his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last Saturday. As with his previous loss, ‘The Gypsy King’ disputed the outcome at the Kingdom Arena. Nonetheless, he now faces some critical decisions about his future in the sport.

One option still in play is the highly anticipated bout against Anthony Joshua. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Fury may have a few more fights left before retiring. However, his recent loss has reignited the debate over his standing among the all-time greatest heavyweight boxers. Meanwhile, for Usyk, discussions are already rife with arguments both supporting and questioning his place among the sport’s legends.

The ‘All-Time Greatest’ debate

The discussion about Tyson Fury’s legacy gained momentum after former boxer Dan Morley analyzed the all-time rankings of both Fury and Usyk. Thanks to his significant victories in a highly competitive era, they argued that Usyk is likely ranked in the number 15-20 range among the all-time heavyweight greats.

For Fury, Morley highlighted his major accomplishments, such as wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder. His resilience and entertainment value remain praiseworthy. However, Morley also acknowledged his shortcomings, including a limited number of title fights (eight in total) and his twin defeats to Usyk.

With his latest victory, discussions have intensified about where to place Oleksandr Usyk among the all-time greats. An Olympic gold medalist and an undisputed champion in two weight divisions, in many ways, Usyk’s legacy is already secured. However, many fans and analysts are still evaluating his impact as a heavyweight, with some choosing to reserve judgment until after 2025. But what about Fury? Let’s check what some of the fans had to say.

Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury: Outside the ring

One fan argued against ranking Fury as the second-best of this era. They said, “I wouldn’t put Tyson at number 2 of this era; he hasn’t fought Dubois or AJ, and if Dubois beats Parker in February, he would also have a better resume than Fury.” Dubois’ potential rise could bolster his standing. However, it’s worth noting that Fury began his career over a decade earlier, making such comparisons somewhat incongruous.

Another fan took a more moderate stance. “I would put him fringe top 25 or 30; his resume lacks the depth to match his skills,” they said. Perhaps for them, Fury’s record is conspicuously devoid of some prominent names. A win over someone like Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois might have witnessed a surge in his rankings.

This fan felt that Usyk deserved a place among the top ten all-time greats. “I have Usyk higher—6/7 all time,” they said. But they also expressed concerns about Fury’s decline. They said, “And Fury is top 20, but he could, on his day, beat any heavyweight in history. But I accept that most people will see him a little lower. He’s 20% less of a fighter now than he was in Wilder 2 and Klitschko.” The decline in Fury’s performances, particularly after his trilogy with Wilder, has been a recurring observation among fans.

The next user had a different take on Tyson Fury. “Is he the worst ever?” They asked. “No. But he is probably the top 2 most overrated, “they said. Like many, they also felt that Fury hasn’t squared up against many top-ranked heavyweights. “Very few ranked opponents in his 15 years as a pro, and the ranked opponents he has faced all have serious asterisks next to them. In an all-time sense, I don’t have him ranked at all.”

Another fan attributed Fury and Usyk’s lower rankings to a perceived decline in boxing standards. They said, “Boxing standards have fallen in my opinion. I would put them both in the top 50. Usyk will be one of the greatest cruiserweights of all time. Still assessing Usyk as a heavyweight. He is doing well, but let me see how 2025 goes for him.” While the Ukranian is universally celebrated as an all-time great cruiserweight, his standing as a heavyweight remains under scrutiny. Many fans prefer to withhold final judgment until seeing how he performs in the coming years.

The debates over all-time and era-specific greatness are inherently subjective and fluid. Even after retirement, the rankings of legendary fighters like Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will continue to evolve as future generations reassess their contributions. While consecutive losses to Usyk may have dented Fury’s record, they do not overshadow his accomplishments.

Fury played a pivotal role in keeping heavyweight boxing relevant during an era when stars like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao were fading. Alongside Anthony Joshua, Fury ensured that the sport remained in the spotlight for years. Where would you rank Tyson Fury among the all-time greatest heavyweights? Let us know your thoughts.