He's obviously very deeply conflicted as to what to do next. Tonight, he was asked if he would be open to fighting Dubois again, and he said that he doesn't know what is next, and has to take some time off after Fury to be with his family. Starting at about 2:13 This content is protected About two weeks ago, Usyk created a stir when he said that he was only interested in Fury and Joshua. About a month before that, he said everything was in play, including more fights, exhibitions, WWE, movies, bare-knuckle, MMA.... About a month before that he said he was going back to cruiser and fighting three more years. I think Usyk was most honest with himself tonight that he has no idea what is next. POST SCRIPT: Krassyuk likes it...three minutes in: This content is protected
Back in the 90s they'd of got Dutch Mantell on there with him: "What do you mean you are feel you stupid foreigner..." Then Usyk would have lit him up, and ended up special referee in one of his matches, single handedly leveling his henchmen one by one as they charged the ring.
We all know what happens in that fight. But at least it will shut up the idiots who claim Dubois got robbed. If Usyk doesn't retire after Fury II - Bakole, Parker, Zhang and Kabayel would all be much more interesting as well as fresh fights. Usyk doesn't need to battle every top 10 HW he's decisively beaten twice.
Fight AJ for the IBF title, salary: 50M$. Fight Dubois for the IBF title, salary: 5M$. Usyk is not happy with the last night's result.
I think there is sense in this. Hey, he was talking about going back down to cruiser only a couple of months ago. Without the big money at heavy, he might just do it. Or, if Wilder could be resurrected...Turki may pay for that. Not 50 mill, but not 5, either.
The best option for Usyk would be, after defeating Fury again, Fury gets title from Dubois, then Usyk fights Fury again for the undisputed title.
I hope he retires after Fury. He is 38 and fighting much bigger men. I don't see any point in him going down to crusier.
Why retire? He can still win at least $50M in 2 or 3 more fights. Why would he dismiss this opportunity and live like a king in the rest of his life? And considering things are not going well in Ukraine...
I understand your reasoning and he might very well decide to fight beyond Fury. But I like and respect Usyk and don't want him to lose and/or get real hurt. Fury was hurting him to the body and he is increasingly vulnerable. He is a small heavyweight with only adequate power. He can make good money doing other things. Money isn't everything especially when you already have a lot.
I don't think he has a lot of money. He was probably getting around $250K per fight at curiserweight, because nobody cares about that division. He just recently started getting big paychecks, beginning with the 1st Joshua fight. He probably got a total of only around $20M for 2 AJ fights and the Fury fight. So, the real paychecks he will receive will be in 2025 and 2026. I don't think he would mind losing in a fight where he willl get a paycheck worth $30M.
