Anthony Joshua is known to be keen for a fight with Fury, but it seems as if Fury has other plans.
Usyk won the first fight between heavyweight boxing's top two on a split decision, and while Fury is confident of a win on Saturday, he also announced that the rivalry needed a third bout to put all questions about who was best to bed.
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"When I beat him on the 21st there will be a third fight, 100 per cent, there has to be a trilogy," Tyson said in a surprise video call with Usyk that was set up by promotor Turki Alalshikh.
And while Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois might be disappointed to hear Fury's plans, there are doubtless countless fans thrilled to hear that the rivalry between the Ukrainian and the Gypsy King could turn into another fight.
With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the greatest boxing rivalries of all time and the trilogies associated with them - the pinnacle of rivalries in the sport.
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (1971, 1974, 1975)
Known For: The “Fight of the Century,” “Super Fight II,” and the legendary “Thrilla in Manila.”
- Ali and Frazier’s trilogy is arguably the most famous in boxing history.
- When they first met in 1971 both were undefeated. Frazier was the World Champion and Ali had been until he was stripped of it for refusing induction into the armed forces in 1967.
- Their first fight in 1971, the ‘Fight of the Century,’ saw Frazier hand Ali his first professional defeat via unanimous decision.
- Ali won their rematch in 1974, a gruelling 12-round contest.
- The final bout, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975, was a brutal war that ended with Frazier unable to continue after the 14th round, cementing Ali’s victory in one of the greatest fights of all time.
Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward (2002, 2002, 2003)
Known For: Three of the most action-packed fights in boxing history.
- Gatti and Ward’s trilogy is remembered both for its raw intensity and the mutual respect between the fighters.
- Their first fight in 2002 is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights ever, with Ward winning a majority decision.
- Gatti came back to win the next two fights, but every bout was a war that left fans in awe of their courage and toughness.
- The three fights were the last three bouts that Ward ever fought.
- Gatti meanwhile died in 2006, after he committed suicide in a Brazilian hotel.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (2004, 2008, 2011)
Known For: Technical brilliance and controversy.
- Pacquiao and Marquez had a rivalry defined by razor-thin margins and disputes over decisions.
- Their first fight in 2004 ended in a dramatic draw. Pacquiao knocked Marquez down three times in the first round, but the Mexican fighter rallied back with many believing he won enough of the subsequent rounds to secure the win.
- Pacquiao won a controversial split decision in 2008 and a close majority decision in 2011, with Marquez claiming he was robbed.
- As much as this is about trilogies, it’s worth noting that this rivalry extended to a fourth fight in 2012, which was a huge payday for both fighters. Pacquiao, who ultimately lost via knockout, was guaranteed $26 million, while Marquez pocketed $6 million.
Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield (1992, 1993, 1995)
Known For: Heavyweight fireworks.
- Their first bout in 1992 saw Bowe defeat Holyfield in a 12-round thriller to claim the heavyweight title.
- Holyfield rebounded in their 1993 rematch, regaining the title via majority decision in another classic – although as good as the fight was, it will always be remembered for a curious incident in the second round when a fan parachuted into the ring midway through the round.
- The trilogy concluded in 1995 with Bowe stopping Holyfield in the 8th round in a fight that stands out due to both men’s heart and resilience.
Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (2000, 2002, 2004)
Known For: Mexican pride and endless action.
- Morales ‘the baby-faced assassin’ and ‘El terrible’ Barrera’s rivalry is legendary for their ferocity and refusal to back down.
- Morales won their first meeting in 2000 via a controversial split decision. The fight was named Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year for 2000.
- Barrera evened the score with a unanimous decision in 2002.
- Their trilogy ended in 2004 with Barrera winning another close majority decision.
- All three fights are celebrated for their brutal intensity, but interestingly, the duo ended up as good friends, even hosting a podcast together in later years.
Floyd Patterson vs. Ingemar Johansson (1959, 1960, 1961)
Known For: The rise and fall of heavyweight champions.
- Patterson had the world at his feet when, at 21, he became the youngest boxer in history to win the heavyweight title.
- Swede, Johansson shocked the world by defeating Patterson in 1959 to become heavyweight champion.
- Patterson made history in their 1960 rematch, becoming the first man to regain the heavyweight title as he won via a spectacular knockout.
- Patterson cemented his superiority by defeating Johansson again in 1961, concluding a compelling trilogy.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán (1980, 1980, 1989)
Known For: High-stakes drama and contrasting styles.
- Their first fight in June 1980, the famous ‘Brawl in Montreal,’ saw Durán outbox Leonard to hand him his first loss.
- Leonard got his revenge in the rematch later that year with the infamous ‘No Más’ fight, where Durán quit in the eighth round. ‘No Mas’ is Spanish for ‘no more’, words Duran was alleged to have said but which denies.
- Their trilogy concluded in 1989, with Leonard winning a lacklustre fight by decision, but their rivalry remains one of boxing’s greatest.
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