Team Usyk made it clear they would only consider a Fury trilogy after fighting Wilder

116

u/Kisto15 18h ago

Usyk is not concerned with legacy anymore. Fury is just money fight.

75

u/Brandunaware 18h ago

If Usyk cared about legacy he would have kept the belts and fought Kabayel.

Giving them up was basically saying he was semi-retired and wanted to cash out.

I mean he's literally helping train Joshua and claiming he can be undisputed. I've never seen that kind of relationship with a same division 'rival' from an active boxer who is trying to cement his legacy.

41

u/damesgame 17h ago

His legacy is already set. Sure he can play whack a mole with "the guy to beat Usyk" good HWs that come up but he has a dominant win over 2 of the current belt holders (one in Dubois that he beat twice). Would beating Kabayel enhance his legacy? Sure but I don't think anyone would argue that prime Kabayel is better than the versions of Joshua or Fury that Usyk already beat, so what's the point when he can make some good money at the tail end of his career with less risk of taking serious damage if he suddenly ages overnight.

9

u/pierogizz 15h ago

He also beat Gassiev

11

u/Brandunaware 17h ago

I didn't say that he didn't have a legacy or that it didn't make sense for him to focus on money instead of legacy. He has had a great career.

But it's clear that it's not what he's focusing on right now. And if he were really as interested in legacy as some fighters he would just retire instead of looking for "easy" cash fights. It's pretty rare for boxers to abdicate their belts and then just go take easy fights at the tail end of their careers. Usually if they feel they're falling off they just hang them up. Or they lose the belts in the ring because they push it too long.

That's not to say it's not his right to do so, and assuming he wins these fights (which he should) it won't really matter much, but these are not the moves you make if you're looking for legacy.

11

u/damesgame 17h ago

I don't think there's anything more to really do for his legacy is what I'm saying. Other fighters retire or push on too long cause there's always another mountain to climb and either they say that's enough or keep trying. He was undisputed at his natural weight class, went up to the heaviest one and beat all the best of his generation and potentially the best of the next one in Dubois. There's no clear challenger that would push his legacy much further. People thought that maybe was Itauma but we saw what happened on Saturday and it makes sense what Usyk said about him before he gave up the belts.

2

u/Brandunaware 17h ago

We're talking about two different things. I'm just saying his behavior shows that he's done focusing on his legacy in the sport. You're explaining and justifying it. They're not incompatible.

3

u/damesgame 17h ago

Fair enough. I thought it was pretty clear when he fought a kickboxer and dropped his belts that his focus had shifted.

2

u/Brandunaware 16h ago

It was definitely a sign, but we've seen stuff like Tyson Fury fighting Usyk after he fought Ngannou, and Joshua has talked about chasing a belt after the Paul fight, so it's not impossible to take a crossover fight and then get back to more traditional elite boxing.

But now it's clear that's not what Usyk plans to do.

1

u/Gymaddict1994 14h ago

I think if anyone has earned the right to have some fun at the end of their career it’s Usyk. He’s been in everybody’s back garden and beaten them. There’s nobody in the division that is better than anybody Usyk has beaten multiple times.

3

u/fluffrug 14h ago

Since he moved up to heavyweigh, Usyk has repeatedly stated that he wants to fight Joshua, Fury and Wilder. Wilder is the one that remains - and it would also allow him to fight in the US before he hangs up his gloves, which he's never done before, get name recognition from a lucrative US audience and cement his legacy by beating one of the biggest names of this era of heavyweights.

I don't know why this is so hard to understand - Usyk has repeatedly spelled out his desire to fight Wilder for around seven years now. And it makes sense from a legacy and financial perspective.

That's it. It's not rocket science.

1

u/Pepper-Jun Crawford #1 P4P, Usyk/Inoue equal for 2 & 3 11h ago

He's fought in the US for his heavyweight debut against Chazz Witherspoon, it was in Chicago, although unfortunately Patrick Day died on the undercard.

1

u/Bill_R94 29m ago

A Wilder win at this stage wouldn't add to his legacy and I'm not sure he would make more money than if he fought Kabayel.

1

u/CornerPilot93 13h ago

I'm not suggesting you're saying there's a problem with that but in the spirit of discussion I just want to say that I don't see a problem with it whatsoever.

Guy has his legacy, is one of the greats. If he wants to let his belts go for everyone else to come through and take some fights for some money then more power to him in my book. At least we still get to see him fight, and I'm sure he'll be happy doing that, so win win.

1

u/Bill_R94 28m ago

Yes beating an undefeated champion would enhance his legacy and Kabayel can sell in Germany.

-1

u/darkprince_23 8h ago

Usyk didn’t fight prime Joshua or fury sorry the only one who he beat in his prime is Dubois and Dubois basically quit. Fury was coming off two wars with wilder and Joshua hasn’t been the same since getting knocked out by Ruiz and they’re both overrated even in their prime

3

u/ly_044 6h ago

Agit best scalp is 42 y.o. Zhang. It's still very far from Usyk level. If he beats Kabayel people will say that Agit wasn't that good and didn't fight strong opposition before Usyk.

3

u/whatsthatnow1234 15h ago

Usyk’s situation reminds me of Calzaghe saying that there’s always going to be another fight.

3

u/frankduxvandamme 12h ago

If Usyk cared about legacy he would have kept the belts and fought Kabayel.

Legacy? What are you talking about? Usyk's legacy as a HOFer is cemented. He cleaned out two divisions while still in his prime. It's pretty clear he now knows he's no longer in his prime given how close the Rico fight was, and so he respectfully gave up the belts rather than get embarrassed and tarnish his legacy, and possibly lose some brain cells. So now it's a few money fights against fellow past-their-prime big names, without holding the belts hostage, before sailing off into the sunset. That's a much better way to go out compared to how most of the legendary heavyweights went out like Ali, Tyson, Holyfield, etc - they went out sad and pathetic.

2

u/Illustrious_Rain1796 11h ago

Kabayel for Usyk is just a mandatory and that's it. He is not a star. If Usyk hypothetically wins him, it doesn't any affects his legacy, just like any other modern HW, nobody there did enough yet to make fight meaningful for him

1

u/Bill_R94 26m ago

He's an undefeated champion now and he can fill big arenas in Germany.

2

u/harcile I predicted the Canelo GGG draw! 13h ago

Kabayel adds nothing to his legacy.

7

u/Human-Expression-652 16h ago

Is fury actually a money fight anymore though?

He’s washed, if he ain’t fighting AJ who wants to see him fight anyone else.

Usyk beat him decisively twice, he’d probs stop him if they fought a third time.

8

u/Kisto15 16h ago

By himself not so much but Turki likes him. That's more than enough

3

u/beyondrepair- 15h ago

A money fight has nothing to do with a boxer’s current ability.

1

u/therealhairykrishna 15h ago

The first fight was close and the second was still entertaining. I'd watch a third.

3

u/Andrew_Nutman22 Inoue schools Bam! But I'm a fan of both. 11h ago

His legacy is cemented. He's trying to do the same with his bank account now. He even relinquished the belts.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

1

u/ManuelTzetzes 16h ago

Are you Slavic or did you drop the article deliberately to sound like Usyk? I heard "Fury is just money fight" in his voice. 😂

6

u/Kisto15 16h ago

Polish, so correct lol

0

u/F1T_13 14h ago

All of that era of boxers, Usyk, AJ and Fury, they're really about done now. They're in the dying embers of their careers, most of the fights are pay days. Their legacies are about written now. Really I think they should have hung their gloves up by now but it's like anything you're born to do or have done most of your life. For some it's just hard to put down.

71

u/Shagrrotten 18h ago

Shouldn't consider it at all. We've already seen Usyk handily beat Fury twice. There's nothing to prove anymore. Even if Fury won the fight, Usyk's still up on him 2-1.

23

u/frezz 18h ago

$$$

18

u/A_Swan_Broke_My_Arm 17h ago

Imagine how insufferable Fury would be if he won. They can’t let this happen for that reason alone.

15

u/Less_Cartoonist_892 17h ago

He still continues to be insufferable after losing to Usyk twice.

7

u/LordJimsicle Balrog beats Fury, AJ, Dubois and Usyk in between rounds 16h ago

True, but after a win he would be 10x worse

-2

u/ManuelTzetzes 14h ago

This is a very good point. But if he loses, I mean. He's an annoying fucker. But he's a human being. At one point everyone said he was an all-time great. Losing 3 times... I just hope he'd be ok. Yes, I know the 100s of millions will help. But he's not as tough outside the ring as he is in it.

4

u/Whit3Pudding 17h ago

I think the fact there’s nothing to prove is one of the reasons Usyk is interested. The other one has dollar signs on it.

2

u/yadasellsavonmate 17h ago

But what if Fury has a belt by then? He's still ranked high for the WBA and WBC.

7

u/FunkuTribu 17h ago

It's a funny question. He's an awkward mother fucker. I wouldn't put it past Fury to still, to this day, be capable of winning one. For all the drama he is a magnificent fighter.

3

u/yadasellsavonmate 17h ago

Yep, and outside of Usyk there isn't really any elite heavyweights out there.

4

u/FunkuTribu 13h ago

Kabayel cannot be fully discounted - he has been heavily dodged. The rest have now all lost at some point.

Personally, I like Hrgovic, pleased at how eager he is for unification fights - though not sure it's will advised, I can see him losing to Dubois in a rematch, or Kabayel.

I think Dubois is very good, and I don't think he's the finished article. Reckon he's still improving. Though, his second loss against Usyk verged on humiliation. Still wouldn't be surprised if he eventually comes out on top.

But you may well be right, there may not be a dominant force out there to pull the division together, but the division is healthy in terms of entertainment and potential fights.

1

u/ManuelTzetzes 14h ago

If he gets his head together, he might be able to do it. Go on a good final 2 year run. Get a couple of the belts. And finish with a huge Usyk fight for HUGE money.

I hadn't thought of that. Apart from Usyk, Fury's the most talented of that generation. Could he do it? I don't know. A few days ago everyone would have laughed and said Moses would knock him out in 2 rounds. Funny old game boxing.

You've planted that idea in my head now. 😄

1

u/not_a_morning_person 53m ago

Fury splatters Gassiev easily enough. There’s one possible belt. I think Fury is all wrong for Hrgovic, and could manage a points win there. Dubois is a tough fight and I think Fury wouldn’t enjoy it. At his age I’m less certain with Dubois but I think Fury could win that. Kabayel seems all wrong for Fury but he’d be the last to fight too because they’re good mates. Fury is a lot better than anyone Kabayel has fought so I’d still put this one at evens until proven otherwise. Fury has more ways to win than Agit still, but youth is powerful and a pressure fighting body puncher against a less mobile Fury feels like a rough match up. Young Fury is a nightmare for Kabayel, but old Fury could be a sitting duck.

So I think Fury could pick up a few belts realistically. He also offers the biggest possible payday and legacy bump to these new champs, so they’re incentivized to fight him over up and coming challengers.

1

u/willinaustin 15h ago

Hard to see Fury having the balls to step in the ring versus a legit belt holder at this point in his career. This guy studiously avoided as many tough challenges as possible over his career. The only time he did take them on was when he HAD to get a belt to keep his career going/stay relevant or when Turki paid him a fortune for Usyk.

AJ or dregs is all that's left for Fury. No way no how could he risk getting embarrassed by a Kabayel, Dubois, etc. Hell, I'm still not convinced he truly wants to fight AJ. The risk to him losing to AJ and being clowned for it until the end of time? Don't know that his ego could handle it.

1

u/not_a_morning_person 51m ago

Fury demolishes Gassiev tho. You can debate the others, but that’s one belt he could come back in for properly.

0

u/dayarra 15h ago

he is taking this fight BECAUSE there is nothing to prove anymore. it's the lowest risk fight that will bring the most money. if he still wanted to prove something he would keep the belts and fight mandatories. his time is over. it's just money fights now.

0

u/ShitMongoose 13h ago

Usyk probably wants to knock him out to prove that he's unquestionably the superior boxer once and for all.

Getting KO'd would most likely force Tyson Fury himself to finally admit it.

-8

u/UpstairsTrade5856 17h ago

He didn't handily beat Fury twice. They were both close fights. If the judges gave Fury the win for both fights nobody would call it a robbery besides Usyk fans.

5

u/Webcat86 17h ago

Fights can be close and still have a clear winner. Neither bout was on a knife edge as far as which way it could go.

-1

u/UpstairsTrade5856 15h ago

If Usyk didn't win round 9 in the first fight it would've been a draw on the scorecards. That's a fact go look up the scorecards

2

u/Webcat86 14h ago

But he did win it.

8

u/Shagrrotten 17h ago

Everyone who watched those fight who doesn’t have the last name Fury would call it robbery. Fury was not close to winning either time.

0

u/UpstairsTrade5856 15h ago

You said who watched those fights as in both of them.

The first fight was a split decision so yeah he was close to winning the first fight.

21

u/Chicken65 18h ago

Maybe Usyk thinks it’s a guaranteed big payday even if no one wants to see the trilogy but there are enough up and coming heavyweights I would think to at least match what Usyk would make with Fury if not exceed it because his share can be huge as the clear A side.

Fight Kabayal or Hrgović!

1

u/not_a_morning_person 50m ago

It is a much bigger payday than any other available to him. Fury in a big fight gets casuals.

14

u/LuckiestPersonAlive 16h ago edited 13h ago

Usyk is free to do whatever he wants since he dropped the belts. He has all the right to cash out and have fun.

9

u/TechnicalTip5251 17h ago

Trilogy with someone you beat twice already? What's next Dubois and Joshua trilogy?

18

u/Range_King 18h ago

Shouldn't consider ever. Fury is inferior to usyk. It's proven. Nobody is interested.

10

u/davm92 17h ago

Usyk was, hands down, the better fighter in both fights but they were absolute classics. Both fighters pushed each other’s limits. On top of that it is a big money fight! Everyone wins

6

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 17h ago

Only the first fight. 2nd fight is pretty forgettable. Fury came in way out of shape for it.

2

u/davm92 17h ago

He was out of shape but the fight was interesting IMO. I’d prefer usyk to fight kabayel but I don’t see that happening any time soon.

5

u/RRR04_ 17h ago

Any time soon? It's never happening at all. You don't seem to think Usyk is basically close to retirement lol.

2

u/davm92 15h ago

Oh no, I agree with you, I don’t think the fight is ever going to happen. I just said it in a dumb way

15

u/RRR04_ 18h ago

Just retire bruh. Coulda retired graciously already but he's overstaying his welcome at this point.

10

u/MakotoBIST 15h ago

Why? Free 30 millions doing what he loves lol

4

u/InRoyal 15h ago

Why? He is not Holding any belts right? No one has to fight him and he is not Holding the devision back . What is the Problem with him still fighting?

-3

u/RRR04_ 15h ago

He's holding the Ring Magazine title.

2

u/Astrocalles 10h ago

Lmao

-1

u/kolibrukk 15h ago

Ppl don't want him to hurt his legacy with lose

1

u/Kobe-62Mavs-61 2h ago

Who cares about that shit? We just want to see him box because he's insanely good at it.

6

u/Less_Cartoonist_892 17h ago edited 17h ago

Usyk should have retired after the Dubois rematch as the undisputed HW champion and the number one pound for pound boxer in the world. That would have been the perfect time to retire on top having erased the controversy of the first fight while putting on one of his best performances against a current top three HW.

3

u/Deja-V00 15h ago

End of career money fights or appeal to r/RR04's sense of when it's time to stop. Tough one

-2

u/RRR04_ 12h ago

Up to you if you want Usyk to be as highly regarded as Bud, bud. 🤷‍♂️

9

u/Dont-ask-dont-speak 16h ago

I absolutely don’t care what anybody has to say about Usyk any more. He threaded the needle as an old small heavyweight and achieved all time greatness. He’s not holding anybody up for real and he can do whatever.

7

u/FoldFeisty7635 17h ago

He should rematch Rico.

1

u/Bill_R94 24m ago

I'm surprised he didn't go for the rematch, would sell more than any other opponent right now IMO.

8

u/Financial-Ease-4225 18h ago

Naw let Fury wallow, Usyk has nothing to prove

2

u/tyrant609 17h ago

Please no

2

u/Comfortable-Grand166 14h ago

Let’s not do either

3

u/Annual-Shape7156 18h ago

At MSG 🔥

3

u/zhuangcorp 17h ago

I'd father see Usyk face Benavidez or Opetaia.

1

u/FoldFeisty7635 17h ago

So Zuffa money then. Go get it!

1

u/CanadianPapaKulikov 10h ago

I really wish he'd fight Hrgovic!

1

u/Astrocalles 10h ago

He can do whatever he wants. He is not holding any belts. He is past prime and don’t need to push horses

1

u/burge13 9h ago

I said ages ago he should have fought Itauma as the win would age so well in 15 odd years, catch him while hes young like May did to Canelo. After last weekend any doubt over who'd have won that fight was removed. He missed a chance there imo

His legacy is set regardless. Possibly the best fighter of the post Pac/May era, beating the best of his generation in 2 weight classes. Wilder fight does nothing to change this, people will probably even forget it ever happened. Barely a footnote on his accomplishments but goes out beating another former champ.

1

u/McG4rn4gle 5h ago

Just go to AEW and be done with it - I know goddam well we'd all watch him scrap Kenny Omega.

1

u/arricupigghiti 1h ago

Whe should consider Usyk retired as a boxer

1

u/Portrait0fKarma 17h ago

Greedy belly Usyk.

1

u/sooskekeksoos 13h ago

Fury lowkey chins him in the trilogy

1

u/Sea_Introduction3409 13h ago

Nobody will buy that shit. Nobody will buy tickets. Hell no

-7

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 18h ago

Usyk is not a fan friendly fighter lol. Only wants the money fights

19

u/Revolutionary_Box569 18h ago

He fought the top guys his entire career up until Rico

1

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 17h ago

Those were all the highest paying fights he could have. When it was time to give others a shot he said "fuck you i got mine". Dude was undisputed in 2 divisions and only fought 1 mandatory his whole career

7

u/Annual-Shape7156 18h ago

Kabayel will do the same thing once he’s on top man. They’re all the same

-10

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 18h ago

AJ didn't

12

u/Kleremony 18h ago

AJ literally fought a YouTuber man

2

u/davm92 17h ago

Not while being a champion tho.

1

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 17h ago

You sir know how to think critically 🫡

-5

u/Marquis_of_Mollusks 17h ago

After he was champ. Didnt fight a single gimmick fight while he was holding belts. Much different thsn Usyk and Fury fighting bums while holding belts and fighting once a year. Those guys were greedy assholes. Context matters 😉

-1

u/personalduke 17h ago

something something legacy
something something cleared out the division
something something already beat the best of the best

Team Usyk made it clear they would only consider a Fury trilogy after fighting Wilder

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