Oleksandr Usyk has admitted that his relationship with one of his biggest heavyweight rivals has taken a ‘sad’ turn following their recent encounter in the ring.
Usyk’s professional record improved to an unblemished 24-0 (15 KOs) in July 2025, solidifying his status as one of boxing’s modern greats. The Ukrainian has consistently overcome top-tier opposition, including two victories over Anthony Joshua, and now two decisive wins against both Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.
Oleksandr Usyk Reveals Estranged Relationship with Tyson Fury
Usyk first faced Fury in May 2024, winning a back-and-forth contest by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. This monumental victory saw Usyk add the WBC title to his WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO belts, achieving undisputed status across two weight classes, having previously unified the cruiserweight division in 2018.
The two met again seven months later, on December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a highly anticipated rematch. Usyk secured another victory, this time by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in his favor, leaving no doubt about his dominance. Usyk previously praised Fury as an opponent but has now revealed they haven’t spoken since the fight.
“We don’t communicate at present. Probably, in the future we will,” Usyk told Al Arabiya English. “I’m sad and miss this great guy, our interaction.”
He compared their time in the ring to a deep connection, saying, “We had 24 rounds, it’s like a lifetime. You live with someone for 20 years, so it’s a very long road for both of us.”
Fury’s Retirement and Unexpected Return
Following his second defeat to Usyk, Tyson Fury, known as ‘The Gypsy King’, announced his retirement from boxing on January 13, 2025. This marked his second retirement from the sport, with Fury having previously stepped away in 2022 after defending his WBC title against Dillian Whyte. Despite his declarations, speculation about his return persisted, especially given the long-awaited prospect of a fight against fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua. Fury’s professional record currently stands at 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 24 knockouts.
However, Fury’s retirement proved to be short-lived. He made a comeback to the ring on April 11, 2026, facing Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Fury secured a unanimous decision victory over Makhmudov, controlling the fight with his jab and uppercut in the later rounds. This return immediately reignited discussions about his future and the highly anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua.
The Heavyweight Landscape: Usyk’s Dominance and Future Bouts
Despite their growing distance, Usyk still referred to Fury as his “unbelievable friend,” suggesting that their rivalry may not have completely ended their respect for each other, even if Fury still opposes the results of their encounters.
After his two victories over Fury, Usyk turned his attention to his next challenge. The article’s initial speculation of a rematch with Daniel Dubois proved accurate. Usyk faced Dubois for a second time on July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London. This fight was for the undisputed heavyweight championship, as Usyk had previously vacated the IBF title in June 2024, allowing Daniel Dubois to be elevated to full IBF champion after Dubois defeated Filip Hrgovic in June 2024 and Anthony Joshua in September 2024. In their rematch, Usyk delivered a dominant performance, securing a fifth-round knockout victory over Dubois. This win made Usyk a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, a feat only previously achieved by Muhammad Ali.
Daniel Dubois, with a professional record of 23 wins (22 KOs) and 3 losses, has continued to be a significant force in the division. After his loss to Usyk, Dubois went on to defeat Fabio Wardley by technical knockout in the 11th round on May 9, 2026, becoming the new WBO heavyweight champion.
Joseph Parker, another prominent heavyweight, was also mentioned as a potential opponent for Usyk. Parker, with a record of 36 wins (24 KOs) and 4 losses, has had a strong run of form, including back-to-back wins over feared opposition. He defeated Deontay Wilder by unanimous decision in December 2023, followed by a majority decision win over Zhilei Zhang in March 2024, and a second-round knockout of Martin Bakole in February 2025. However, Parker suffered a technical knockout loss to Fabio Wardley in October 2025. Despite his impressive run, a fight with Usyk did not materialize in the immediate aftermath of the Fury rematches.
Upcoming Bouts and Division Implications
As of May 2026, Oleksandr Usyk is now focusing on his next fight, which is scheduled against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, at the Pyramids of Giza. This bout is a voluntary defense for Usyk, with only his WBC title on the line. Usyk has also outlined a potential three-fight retirement plan, which includes Verhoeven, the winner of the Wardley-Dubois fight (now Dubois), and a possible trilogy bout with Tyson Fury.
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated all-British showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is finally a reality. A deal has been signed for this mega-fight to take place in late 2026, with Netflix slated to broadcast the event. Anthony Joshua is scheduled for a warm-up fight against Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, before the monumental clash with Fury. This long-awaited encounter promises to be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history and will undoubtedly have significant implications for the heavyweight division, potentially crowning a new dominant force or further cementing the legacy of one of its current stars.
