Tyson Fury Says He’ll Need Knockout to Beat Oleksandr Usyk in Potential Trilogy

Tyson Fury says he would welcome a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk, but believes he would need a knockout to secure victory if the two rivals meet again.

The former heavyweight champion made the comments during a recent interview with Gareth A Davies in Thailand, reacting to Usyk’s previously stated retirement plan that includes a trilogy bout with Fury.

Usyk, the unbeaten 39-year-old champion, recently outlined a three-fight sequence before ending his career. Speaking to The Ring, he named a defence against Rico Verhoeven as the first step, followed by a fight with the winner of Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois, and finally a third meeting with Fury.

Rico, this is first,” Usyk said. “Second, it’s who wins [between] Wardley [and] Dubois. And third fight, it’s my friend, ‘greedy belly’ Tyson Fury.

Fury Says He Would Need Knockout in Trilogy

Fury acknowledged the possibility of a third fight but dismissed continued debate around their previous bouts.

“We’re not even, you know what, we’re not even gonna go there. That’s old news now,” Fury said of their past meetings.

Listen, it is what it is. I’ve said it, I thought I won the fights… but at the end of the day, he got the victory, fair play to him, good luck to him, and we move on, that’s it.

The 37-year-old added that he still wants the trilogy, though he doubts he would receive a favourable result from the judges if the fight went the distance.

“I want a third fight, but the thing is, I know if he stands up at the end of it, I’m not gonna get a decision,” Fury said.

For me, it’s like, they may as well just give him the fight. Before we even box, give him the W and I’ll have the L. Just give me the money, you know what I mean? Because that’s what’s gonna happen anyway. If I don’t knock him out.

Fury acknowledged the challenge of stopping the Ukrainian, describing Usyk as “a tough man” who can escape danger with his speed and movement.

Usyk Won Both Heavyweight Title Fights in 2024

Usyk defeated Fury twice in 2024, maintaining his undefeated record and establishing himself as the division’s leading heavyweight.

Their first meeting on May 18, 2024 ended in a split decision victory for Usyk, who rallied strongly in the second half of the fight. The ninth round proved pivotal when Fury was badly hurt and received a standing eight count before surviving to the final bell.

The rematch on December 21, 2024 was scored unanimously for Usyk, with all three judges returning identical 116-112 scorecards as the Ukrainian retained the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles.

Following the second defeat, Fury announced his retirement from professional boxing on January 13, 2025.

Fury Returns Against Makhmudov After 16-Month Layoff

Fury is now preparing to return from retirement when he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

The bout will mark Fury’s first appearance in 16 months, a factor he acknowledged could present its own challenges.

Well, I want to get this victory more than ever,” Fury said of the upcoming contest. “He’s a dangerous man and it’s gonna be a very tough fight for me.

Fury also reflected on the potential impact of inactivity and age, noting he will be approaching 38 by the time he returns to the ring.

“By the time I get back in the ring, I’ll have had 16 months out at this age. Probably not a good idea, is it?” he said.

The former champion referenced historical examples of fighters struggling after long layoffs.

“I’m a boxing historian. 38 years old, Muhammad Ali was considered at 60 years old when he fought Larry Holmes, but he’s only my age,” Fury said. “So I gotta be very, very careful. Inactivity is a killer.”

Fury Lays Out Path Back to the Top

Despite those concerns, Fury believes victory over Makhmudov would reopen the door to major fights in the heavyweight division.

“If I can get past Makhmudov, then the world’s my oyster,” Fury said. “I need to get back to winning ways.”

The Briton acknowledged that regaining his sharpness will take time after such a long break.

It takes time to get back, get back to being sharp, match fit. We all know match fit and activity is the key.

If Fury returns successfully and Usyk continues with the retirement plan, a third fight between the two rivals could still emerge as a major event before both men bring their careers to a close.