Tyson Fury has 'two fights left' as Anthony Joshua plan could change after Oleksandr Usyk loss

Tyson Fury has 'two fights left' as Anthony Joshua plan could change after Oleksandr Usyk loss

WATCH NOW: Tyson Fury's loss to Oleksandr Usyk discussed on GB News

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 21/05/2024

- 17:35

Usyk won a close encounter in Saudi Arabia last weekend

Former British boxer Spencer Oliver believes Tyson Fury only has two fights left in him following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Oliver claims that the Gypsy King should now prioritise a fight with Anthony Joshua before a potential rematch with Usyk.


Fury suffered his first professional loss in Riyadh on Saturday, losing via a split decision in the first undisputed heavyweight clash since 1999.

There is a clause for a rematch against Usyk and promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that could happen in October this year.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury has been told he should fight Anthony Joshua before an Oleksandr Usyk rematch

Getty/PA

But Oliver believes Fury should have a break before fighting Usyk again and instead reckons he should agree to an all-British affair against Joshua.

A fight between Fury and Joshua has been on the cards for several years and Oliver says it would still attract huge attention.

He told talkSPORT Bet: "If I’m Tyson Fury, I’m not going into the rematch now. I’m fighting Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium first.

"There are two fights left in Fury. That’s the Oleksandr Usyk rematch and then the Joshua fight is always going to be a massive fight for the British public. Everyone has always wanted to see it.

"That’s a fight that still sells, hugely. If you’re looking at it from a business point of view, that’s probably a bigger fight.

"They’ve both been beaten by Usyk. The winner of Joshua versus Fury then boxes Oleksandr again.

"But Fury will want to right the wrongs. So I see him probably going into that rematch first to secure his legacy, but he has other options."

Fury famously came back from severe mental and physical struggles in his career to become heavyweight champion again.

Oliver reckons the 35-year-old's previous lifestyle could be catching up with him in the ring.

He added: "Oleksandr Usyk is the ultimate professional. He’s clean, he drinks water.

"Tyson Fury has had a chequered past. He’s had his issues outside of the ring. He doesn’t eat particularly well, he drinks alcohol.

"That catches up with a fighter at this stage of his career. There’s always going to be a question mark over Fury and maybe that is showing now in his performances. Maybe the punch resistance is going a little bit.

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Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua watched on as Tyson Fury lost to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday

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"I think he’s got it in him. There’s a lot to come from Fury but Usyk showed that he’s a great fighter."

Oliver says Fury must be more aggressive if he does enter a rematch with Usyk but insists he would be the underdog.

He said: "Tyson approached the fight wrong. Now he has to approach it differently, he has to be the aggressor.

"Fury can definitely win the rematch. It was a very competitive fight. Usyk ran out the winner for me but Fury had his moments, big moments and he is a great fighter.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday

PA

"He can turn it around but he will be a big underdog because Usyk now will have that added confidence.

"Usyk is great at working fighters out. His boxing IQ is insane and that’s going to be a big problem for Fury. Usyk will go down as an all-time great, definitely."

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