The weight of a third Usyk fight
Tyson Fury aims to reclaim his heavyweight standing following victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach. His December 2026 fight against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff serves as a potential path toward a 2027 trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk.
The road to Cardiff
Tyson Fury prepares to fight Anthony Joshua on Friday, December 11, 2026, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. This contest follows Fury’s 2026 comeback victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach. After announcing his retirement in January 2025, the 38-year-old fighter aims to reclaim his standing. His professional record includes 36 wins, one draw, and two losses. He suffered both career defeats against Oleksandr Usyk during their 2024 encounters. These losses occurred via a split decision in May and a unanimous decision in December. I find the scheduled Cardiff bout to be the most logical path for Fury to re-enter the title picture. Following his second career defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, Tyson Fury returned to the ring in 2026 to secure two decisive victories against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach.
The prospect of a third fight with Usyk remains a primary motivator for the fighter. Fury famously called the Ukrainian a "rabbit" during their previous battles in Riyadh. He seeks a fair result on English soil to settle the score from his 2024 losses. This Cardiff fight, which Netflix will broadcast globally, carries immense weight for both fighters. The Principality Stadium remains a significant venue for this long-discussed matchup. After the December meeting with Joshua, Fury could pursue the trilogy in 2027.
WBC mandatory disputes
The WBC board reviews mandatory challenger status for the heavyweight title following recent scheduling decisions. Dominic Breazeale holds the mandatory position, though he has not yet secured a title shot. Dillian Whyte, the WBC heavyweight number one, wants to face the winner of the Deontay Wilder and Breazeale contest. This administrative tension creates uncertainty for fighters seeking clear paths to championship belts. The organization manages these statuses to maintain a structured hierarchy within the division.
The situation involving Deontay Wilder and Breazeale complicates the division’s movement. Whyte’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, sent a legal letter to the WBC to contest the mandatory designation for Breazeale. This dispute shows the friction between sanctioning bodies and top-ranked contenders. If Breazeale secures the title from Wilder, the path for other heavyweights becomes even more restricted. The WBC also uses innovative regulations to modernize competition. These include open scoring after the second and fourth rounds, which reveals official scorecards to both corners. Officials also use a thirty-second warning before the end of each round to encourage stronger finishes. Furthermore, the Enhanced Scoring Program assigns qualitative classifications such as close, moderate, dominant, or highly dominant to each round. In the heavyweight division, 12-ounce gloves with increased volume provide added protection compared to traditional gloves. Officials also possess the authority to use instant replay for controversial situations like questionable knockdowns or illegal blows.
The trilogy’s high stakes
The outcome of the Usyk and Daniel Dubois fight on July 19 at Wembley Stadium influences the future of the Fury trilogy. Usyk aims to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion if he defeats the Briton. Such a victory dictates whether the Ukrainian focuses on an immediate rematch with Dubois or looks toward Fury. Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian boxing chief, has already discussed a return for the "Gypsy King" in Riyadh. Usyk won his first encounter in May 2024 by split decision to become the heavyweight division’s first undisputed four-belt champion.
Fury’s recent Manchester return announcement adds another layer of tension to the heavyweight landscape. He wants to ensure his comeback carries enough weight to force a third meeting with the man who defeated him twice. After the December showdown in Cardiff, the heavyweight division will face a massive decision regarding its true hierarchy. Will the results of the upcoming Cardiff bout provide the necessary leverage for a 2027 trilogy in England?
The status of Daniel Dubois adds complexity to the trilogy discussion. Dubois previously lost to Usyk in a bout that ended in a controversial stoppage. A victory for Usyk at Wembley would make him a two-time undisputed champion, potentially making a rematch with Dubois the priority. This outcome would leave Fury and his team to reconsider the timing of a third fight.
