Tyson Fury Q&A: Johnny Nelson on claims heavyweight star will return against Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua | Boxing News

Tyson Fury announced this week he will fight Oleksandr Usyk in a trilogy showdown at Wembley Stadium in April.

The claim, which has not been denied by Usyk’s team, came as Fury confirmed plans to return to boxing just six months after he said he had retired.

The announcement has prompted a raft of questions. Why would Fury want to fight again? Would he beat Usyk at the third attempt? Would Usyk really be willing to box the Brit at Wembley? Is this all a bluff to draw Anthony Joshua to the table?

Sky Sports boxing expert Johnny Nelson attempts to answer the big talking points…

Was Tyson Fury really retired?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fury has reaffirmed his retirement throughout much of 2025 so far

Fury announced his retirement from boxing – not for the first time – in a social media post last January, but this week he conducted a series of interviews in Turkey where he stated his intention to return to the ring. “The ‘Gypsy King’ will be back! We have a rabbit to hunt,” wrote Turki Alalshikh, the key matchmaker in modern boxing, seemingly ending the notion that Fury had hung up his gloves for good…

JOHNNY NELSON: I never believed it for a second. As far as I was concerned, it’s part of his negotiation skills.

You get some fighters who retire and they stay retired. You get some fighters who feel as though for one reason or another they have to retire, but don’t really want to and do some kind of comeback.

But some fighters use retirement because they’re in a strong position. They know the game needs them as much as they need the game.

Tyson’s one of those few fighters who can say ‘If you don’t play my game, I’m out. I can live comfortably’.

And it’s a bluff.

Why does he want to fight again?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fury hinted at a potential return ahead of a ‘business meeting’ with his dad

“I want my revenge in England, that’s all I want,” Fury told Boxing News this week. Fury had reached the summit of the sport, becoming the lineal world heavyweight champion, but after losing twice on points to Usyk, does he have a new motivation?

JOHNNY NELSON: Mentally he never could live comfortably walking away from the game because he’s a fighting man.

As far as Tyson’s concerned, he doesn’t think he lost the last fight. He’s very upset and very bitter about it. I get that.

You’ve also got to remember the psyche of a fighter. As world heavyweight champion, it means you’re the biggest and the best, officially the best fighter in the world.

You’ve got to really believe that you can beat all the billions of people on this earth to be a heavyweight champion of the world.

Every heavyweight champion struggles with not being in that position. Tyson’s no different from the rest of them. He struggles with not being officially looked at as a heavyweight champion.

So as far as he is concerned, they’ve robbed him. In his head, there’s no justification for it. In his head, they stole it from him.

Is this all about money?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fury previously hinted at a return to the ring in a video posted on his social media, in which he was seen linking up with trainer SugarHill Steward

Fury posted a series of dollar signs on social media when referencing a potential comeback this week, suggesting that revenge might not be the only thing on his mind…

JOHNNY NELSON: I do think money’s a great motivator in this, but I don’t think money is everything because these guys are very, very wealthy.

They’ll never be able to spend the money they make from this. But I also think for Tyson, it’s a demon that he’s struggling with.

He’s struggling to exist without thinking ‘I’m the best, there’s nobody better than me’.

He’s struggling to deal with that.

Does Tyson even deserve a third fight?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

A look back at some of the dramatic highlights from Fury’s rollercoaster career

The first fight between Usyk and Fury was a split-decision win for the Ukrainian, but the second fight saw all three judges award Usyk the win by four points…

JOHNNY NELSON: Put it this way, Daniel Dubois is boxing Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium. They ain’t going to sell that out.

But if Usyk is boxing Fury at Wembley, that’s good business because it sells out, and that’s the business side.

Did Tyson Fury get a beating the last time he boxed Usyk? No. Was it a one-sided battle? No. It was close.

So I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve a shot because he put up an amazing performance and boxing is a business disguised as a sport.

This is good business.

What can we expect from Tyson Fury in a trilogy fight?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fury and Usyk engaged in an intense 11-minute staredown which had to be broken up ahead of their rematch

Fury has only fought three times since the start of 2023 – and one of those was against MMA star Francis Ngannou. If Fury’s claims of an April 18 showdown with Usyk are accurate, then it would be almost 18 months between fights…

JOHNNY NELSON: The last couple of times I’ve seen him box, I thought his legs were slower.

Fury’s been inactive and Usyk will have been more active. If you’re talking April next year, that’s a long time to be out of the ring.

I don’t think it falls well in his favour, having so much time off, unless he has some behind-closed-doors competition in the gym to test his skill.

There’s already excuses on the table in case things don’t go his way.

Would fighting on home turf make a difference?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Take a look back at some of the biggest stadium fights in British boxing history

Fury has lost the decision in the first two Usyk fights, which were both held in Saudi Arabia. “I want a fair result in England,” he said this week before insisting the trilogy bout would happen on home turf at Wembley Stadium…

JOHNNY NELSON: I’ve seen British favourites lose at Wembley. I don’t think it makes a difference.

When the bell goes, you can be anywhere in the world and if you’re a real champion, no matter where you’re boxing, you come back a champion and a winner.

But, of course, I think the occasion would be bigger at Wembley. It’d be much bigger.

I think Saudi Arabia does an amazing job, but there’s nothing better than the UK fans when it comes to a good fight.

Does a Fury trilogy fight make sense for Usyk?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Usyk discusses Daniel Dubois’ low blow from their previous fight, the signal he made after he was pushed in their face-off and the potential to fight Fury for a third time, just for fun, if he returns to boxing

After beating Joshua and Fury twice, Usyk is targeting a second win over Daniel Dubois later this month to become the undisputed world champion for a second time… so why would he want to step into the ring with Fury again?

JOHNNY NELSON: Just financial gain. Usyk has proven twice he’d beat Tyson Fury.

He’s beaten everybody. He’s left a trail of destruction. He’s already beaten Daniel Dubois and I think he’ll beat him better the second time around.

Usyk’s a businessman too.

The Fury fight makes good money and he’ll do that if it suits him. So, let’s see what’s said after the Dubois fight.

But Usyk might say, ‘nah, I’m all right, I’m done. I’m out of here’.

He’s in a great position.

What if Usyk loses to Dubois or says he’s not interested?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Usyk and Dubois had an intense staredown during their face-off before their fight on July 19

Usyk’s team told Sky Sports that the champion is “fully focused on the upcoming fight with Dubois on July 19 and on achieving the historic goal of becoming a three-time undisputed world champion”- so was Fury a little premature in naming the date and venue for the trilogy fight?

JOHNNY NELSON: If Usyk said he wasn’t interested in the trilogy then it’s back to plan A, which is Tyson fighting Joshua.

Joshua and Fury are at the stage in their career where one more loss devalues where they stand in the heavyweight landscape, so they’ve got to make sure the person they box is worth it.

Usyk’s worth it. AJ’s worth it.

AJ’s not shouting out Usyk, because he’s thinking, boy, I don’t deserve that shot. Tyson has shouted it out because he’s not accepting that he got dealt with the last time they boxed.

He knows there’s an appetite for them to box each other and you’ve got to think like that as a fighter. You’ve got to think you’re unbeatable.

Does Fury really want a fight with Joshua?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Promoter Eddie Hearn says this is the moment to make a fight between Joshua and Fury happen

“Usyk’s the one I want, but if I don’t get that then it will be Joshua, the biggest British boxing fight that will ever happen,” said Fury earlier this week. But is a Battle of Britain really plan A?

JOHNNY NELSON: This doesn’t mean he doesn’t want AJ. Actually, there’d probably be more money on the table if it was AJ rather than Usyk.

The Joshua fight’s happening. That fight’s going to happen, but Tyson is a great negotiator. He’s like a car salesman.

If someone’s trying to sell you a car, you kick the tyres and you complain about the tyres. You know for a fact you love the car, but you say you don’t like the tyres and you say you’ll pay a thousand pounds less.

Tyson Fury’s not talking about Anthony Joshua, but he loves the idea of it and he loves the business that comes with it.

But for now he’ll say ‘I’ve got somebody else to pretend I’m in love with’. That’s the game.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Simarjeet was the most sought-after acquisition as Central Delhi Kings forked out ₹39 lakh.

Simarjeet, Digvesh most expensive buys at Delhi Premier League auction

Simarjeet was the most sought-after acquisition as Central Delhi Kings forked out ₹39 lakh. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: REUTERS Pacer Simarjeet Singh, leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi and batter Nitish Rana were the three most expensive buys in Sunday’s player auction for the second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL). The 27-year-old Simarjeet, who has

Article image:Newcastle Eye Seri A Signing as Defensive Reinforcements Become Crucial

Newcastle Eye Seri A Signing as Defensive Reinforcements Become Crucial

Newcastle’s Scalvini Pursuit Signals Ambition But Carries Risk Reinforcements Needed for Dual Front Battle Newcastle United’s interest in Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini is as persistent as it is ambitious. With both Premier League and Champions League football on the Magpies’ calendar, defensive reinforcements are not just advisable, they are essential. Chronicle Live reports that Newcastle’s admiration

UDINE, ITALY - APRIL 11: Theo Hernández of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Serie A match between Udinese and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on April 11, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Theo Hernandez will not join Milan pre-season while waiting for Al-Hilal

Sunday’s reports confirm that Theo Hernandez will not join the rest of the Milan squad for the start of pre-season training next week while he awaits the formal completion of his transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Theo Hernandez is on the verge of joining Al-Hilal on a permanent basis after six years in

epa11606524 FC Inter's Davide Frattesi on the ground during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Monza and FC Inter, in Monza, Italy, 15 September 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Frattesi: Inter midfielder requires surgery after Club World Cup

Sunday’s reports confirm that Inter midfielder and Italy international Davide Frattesi is set for a brief spell on the sidelines, as he requires surgery to address a hernia problem that he has been suffering from over the last few weeks. Frattesi travelled with the rest of the Nerazzurri squad for their underwhelming FIFA Club World

Wrexham are reportedly keen on signing a player who has appeared in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest

Wrexham ‘agree club record deal for Premier League star’ – as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-backed side aim to make mark on Championship

By ZAC CAMPBELL Published: 11:04 BST, 6 July 2025 | Updated: 11:08 BST, 6 July 2025 Wrexham have reportedly agreed a club-record deal for a Premier League player ahead of their return to the Championship.  The Robins have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the divisions since being taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Premier League forward still hopes for Barcelona move despite multiple offers

Premier League forward still hopes for Barcelona move despite multiple offers

According to an update from La Vanguardia, it has come to light that although Marcus Rashford has received other offers, his desire is to play for Barcelona. After Nico Williams decided to stay at Athletic Club, Barcelona have set their sights on other targets and if reports are to be believed, Rashford is one of

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x