Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois has called for Tyson Fury to retire following his agonising defeat to Oleksandr Usyk earlier this month.
The ‘Gypsy King’ suffered the first defeat of his professional career back in May, falling to a split decision defeat to the Ukrainian. The two heavyweight giants went toe-to-toe for a second time earlier this month. Particularly in the early exchanges, Fury enjoyed success targeting Usyk’s body well but, the tide turned just before the midway point of the heavyweight dust-up as the Ukrainian’s speed and movement appeared to catch his British rival off guard. Eventually, Usyk would go on to have his hand raised once again, winning via unanimous decision.
Following the loss, many have weighed in and offered their verdict on what should be next for the two-time heavyweight champion. Dubois feels as if his British rival should call it day after his second straight defeat to Usyk. Speaking to Seconds Out, ‘Triple D’ gave his immediate reaction to the Ukrainian’s win over the ‘Gypsy King’. “Fury has had a great career. I think it’s time for him to call it a day now,” he said.
Dubois made quite the impression following the fight and was labelled ’embarrassing’ after confronting Usyk in the ring following his victory over Fury. The Brit placed himself opposite the Ukrainian and delivered both a challenge and congratulations in a slightly awkward looking encounter. “I want my revenge,” said Dubois after taking the microphone from the interviewer. “I want my revenge Usyk! Well done tonight, well done. God bless. I want my revenge for the robbery last time. Let’s go, let’s go. Make it happen Frank!”
Usyk quickly asserted he was open to a rematch. He replied: “Your excellency, make the fight with Daniel Dubois. Thank you so much. I can do more. I’m ready to fight (Dubois), no problem. Next fight no problem. Now I want to go home and rest.”
While Dubois was quick to chime in and give his verdict on Fury’s future, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed his intentions to make Fury vs Anthony Joshua.”I don’t think it’s time to start screaming, this night is Usyk vs Fury, but the reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury and that’s Anthony Joshua,” Hearn told DAZN. “It’s the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing, everyone will always want to see it. And by the way, that wasn’t a Tyson Fury that looked finished, it wasn’t a flat performance, it wasn’t a poor performance, he didn’t look gun-shy, he didn’t look like his punch resistance was in question like we talked about earlier.
“I think Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers, just not good enough to be Oleksandr Usyk tonight. But for me, AJ against Fury is the one, it’s the one at Wembley, I’m going to be pushing His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make the fight, but that’s maybe one for another day, tonight belongs to Oleksandr Usyk. But Fury will struggle with this, I think. All fighters do, AJ struggled with the Dubois defeat as well, you’re a winner and when you get beat it hurts and this will hurt Fury.”