Boxing

Usyk vs Fury 2: Are Tyson Fury's world title hopes over forever if he loses? Boxing experts have their say

Chris Walker, Matt Astbury, Mark Lelinwalla, Derek Bilton

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In any fight week there is just one question that really matters, who is going to win?

But as with anything to do with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury there is always more to it than just a boxing bout winner. There is always a bigger picture, a wider impact, major knock on effects.

One burning question is what happens to the two fighters after Saturday's battle? Where do they go next?

DAZN News will tackle the issue of Usyk's future in another panel discussion later this week.

For now, we focus on The Gyspy King. Victory for Fury and taking the WBC, WBO and WBA belts, seems to create a straightforward path, a trilogy fight with Usyk in 2025.

But what if the British boxer loses again, his second career defeat? Would that end any hopes of him become a world champion ever again?

The DAZN News boxing experts have their say on Fury's future.

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Chris Walker - senior boxing reporter

Defeat for Tyson Fury may not be the end of the world, but it’ll make it harder for him to ever be number one again as long as Oleksandr Usyk is around.

There is a real possibility numerous belts become vacant in 2025, and you would not rule out Fury fighting for one of them if he can secure a lofty ranking.

Logic points towards a huge Fury/Anthony Joshua clash next year and the result of that will surely spell the end for one of their title hopes.

If Fury is successful, he could receive a world title shot, so this could be easier to answer after the Joshua fight rather than Usyk.

As it stands, a second defeat against Usyk should not be the end of his world title aspirations, but that will all depend on what he wants to do next year.

Tyson Fury punches Oleksandr Usyk Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Matt Astbury - boxing reporter

At the age of 36, time is ticking for Tyson Fury.

If he fails to beat Oleksandr Usyk for a second time, then becoming a three-time world champion will be a difficult feat with an undisputed clash against the winner of Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker likely to be next for Usyk.

Fury’s recent comments about fighting for money have made many think that retirement is coming sooner rather than later, and if becoming a world champion does not look possible, he will be faced with two choices.

Retire or face Anthony Joshua in an all-British dust-up before hanging up the gloves for good.

Mark Lelinwalla - boxing analyst

If Fury loses to Usyk again, he can still become world champion if it is something he wants to do.

Perhaps, he could seek out a fight against Daniel Dubois.

However, I believe a bout against Anthony Joshua would be bigger. A defeat and they each would own two losses to Usyk.

A Fury vs. Joshua fight in a sold-out Wembley would still be spectacular.

Derek Bilton - feature writer

Never say never, but to answer that question properly we would need to know what Usyk is going to do in 2025 and beyond.

I cannot see Tyson waiting in line for another title shot, but if Usyk walks off into the sunset having completed boxing and retiring as an undisputed (at two weights) and undefeated fighter, then the door is suddenly ajar for Fury versus Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King vs AJ is not the fight it was a few years ago, but it is still a massive draw and would do huge numbers, especially if they could somehow make it happen in the UK.

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