Here’s a bold statement: the boxing world is buzzing with speculation about a potential showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder, but is this matchup really the most deserving fight on the horizon? And this is the part most people miss—Tyson Fury, no stranger to either fighter, has weighed in with a perspective that’s as controversial as it is insightful. Fury, who has faced both Usyk and Wilder in the ring, believes there’s more to Usyk’s callout of Wilder than meets the eye.
Fury’s history with these two heavyweights is well-documented. He’s gone toe-to-toe with Usyk twice, both times resulting in points defeats for Fury in 2024. Against Wilder, however, Fury’s record is far more dominant. Their first fight ended in a highly debated draw, but Fury secured knockout victories in their subsequent two meetings. Those losses marked the beginning of a rough patch for Wilder, who later suffered defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Despite Wilder’s recent struggles, Usyk has set his sights on the American for a 2026 clash—a move that Fury finds questionable.
In a recent interview with DAZN Fight Club, Fury didn’t hold back. He argued that undefeated Agit Kabayel, the WBC interim champion, is the more logical and deserving opponent for Usyk. According to Fury, Usyk’s pursuit of Wilder is less about competition and more about chasing a big name. But here’s where it gets controversial—Fury suggests Usyk is prioritizing commercial appeal over sporting integrity. ‘Agit’s the interim champion, so Usyk should either defend the title against him or vacate it,’ Fury stated. ‘But let’s be real—Usyk isn’t going to fight anyone in those WBC rankings because there’s no money in it. After fighting Tyson Fury and earning big paydays, why would he step back into the ring for peanuts?’
Fury’s point is clear: Usyk’s focus on Wilder is a strategic move to maximize his earnings, not to face the most deserving challenger. ‘That’s why he’s doing it,’ Fury explained. ‘He’s looking for names with a following, just like he did when he vacated the WBO title. If he won’t fight Agit Kabayel or Lawrence Okolie, he should vacate the WBC title, too. Agit deserves the upgrade to world champion and could defend it against the winner of Okolie vs. Moses Itauma.’
Kabayel recently defended his WBC interim title with a third-round stoppage of Damian Knyba in Germany, proving his worth as a contender. Yet, despite Fury’s arguments, a Usyk-Wilder fight remains the frontrunner for 2026. Here’s the thought-provoking question: Is Usyk’s pursuit of Wilder a smart business move, or is he sidestepping the true challenges in the division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with Fury, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
