18 May 2023 , 13:39
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Tyson Fury's dad John believes the world heavyweight champion should retire if he is unable to secure a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
The 'Gypsy King' last fought in a routine trilogy win over Derek Chisora in December and was expected to return in an undisputed fight against Usyk in April, but a deal collapsed. Fury's team then pencilled in a summer date for his return with Andy Ruiz Jr and Zhilei Zhang considered as opponents, but it appears he will no longer return in the UK.
Talks have now reportedly reopened with Usyk's team over a clash for all the marbles in Saudi Arabia this December as part of a four-man heavyweight tournament. It is expected he will now wait until then to compete in the ring, despite suggestions he could find an alternative tune-up fight.
Fury's dad John has suggested the only fight for his son is now a shot against Usyk or an alternative showdown with Chinese power-puncher Zhang. "It is ridiculous what is happening," Fury Sr told Mirror Fighting courtesy of FreeBets.com. "How can you get the best out of a fighter that doesn't fight? If they can't get together then move on.
"I know there is only one fight for Tyson out there and that is Usyk. And if he doesn't get Usyk he might as well retire because there is no-one else out there in his class. For my money, there is only two heavyweights worth fighting and that is Zhilei Zhang, who is the most dangerous fight out there for any heavyweight including Tyson. And the other is of course Usyk.
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"I just think that Tyson is the better man though and he knows he is but it is getting the chance to prove it. They should have fought at the end of the April but now it has gone stalemate. We have all these Saudi offers allegedly but talks is cheap and money bus houses. Saudi have not put anything forward yet to my knowledge, it is all great chat! There is nothing concrete."
Talks between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have resumed (Top Rank via Getty Images)Do you think Tyson Fury should wait for an Oleksandr Usyk fight? Let us know in the comments section below
The immediate future now seems unclear for Fury who will likely now wait for a shot at Usyk, despite his rival's order to fight Daniel Dubois in a mandatory defence.
"I can’t say anything about the fight with Tyson Fury yet but at the moment the fight is not planned, since the negotiations, let’s say, are at an impasse," Usyk told Vringe "For Fury, boxing is not only a sport, but also a show. And there is another factor - money. It's no secret that fees are prescribed for both parties.
"If he wants to draw intrigue, he has the right, but no one will run after him or make concessions. The fight will take place sooner or later. And everything will be decided in the ring. A big man who has very good abilities in boxing and in life but this big man is very afraid of losing."