With Oleksandr Usyk’s first mandatory challenge done and dusted, talk has returned to the potential undisputed fight with his fellow champion, Tyson Fury.
Despite there being yet more obstacles in the way, many in the sport believe Fury may suddenly become available after seeing how Usyk fared with Dubois – a relatively one-sided affair with a notable moment in round five.
The Ukrainian was dropped and hurt by a shot that was ruled immediately a low blow, but the Brit’s team are contesting that it was a perfectly placed body punch. If it was, a long-held theory that Usyk may be vulnerable to those shots may have been proven.
One opinion that has changed is that of Frazer Clarke, Olympic Bronze Medalist turned undefeated pro prospect. In an interview filmed before the fight, he told One On One Boxing that Usyk had the edge due to momentum.
“At the minute, probably Usyk. Just because he’s active and he seems to be fighting a lot more. I think more than anything his sole focus is becoming undisputed champion of the world.
I think Tyson’s head’s always there, you never know what he’s thinking. He could be solid, in training camp, head down, and he might just be showing us something else. But I’m hearing all this talk about Ngannou and stuff and I just it’s distracting in terms of if you’re gonna fight another really, really competitive fighter … At the minute I think Usyk has [all the momentum.]”
However, after seeing the Dubois fight play out – which ended with a ninth round stoppage from Usyk – Clarke has changed his mind and now backs his countryman to do it, via Fight Hub TV.
“I think now Tyson will be licking his lips. If the fight’s gonna happen you’ll see it very soon. I think he’ll be wanting it now, he sees his opportunity. I do [favour Tyson Fury] now after the weekend. I’ve seen a few chinks in Usyk that Tyson would exploit.”
Sadly for fans, the most recent talk most likely won’t materialise into a fight – at least not immediately.
Fury is facing Francis Ngannou in a crossover contest this October, and Usyk has been immediately served with his next mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic.