Tyson Fury recently revealed his disinterest in the heavyweight championship belts, highlighting his primary focus on the financial rewards expected from his upcoming match against Oleksandr Usyk on May 18th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This declaration has stirred concern among certain fans, who perceive it as troubling that the WBC heavyweight champion openly prioritizes monetary gain over winning titles. Given Fury’s estimated wealth of over $65 million and his ambition to potentially become boxing’s first billionaire, his remarks regarding wealth accumulation have sparked skepticism among fans.
There is now speculation within the fanbase about whether the outcome of his bout with Usyk will be influenced by financial incentives rather than purely sporting goals. Critics point to Fury’s previous fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, which some believe he lost but was controversially awarded a victory by the judges.
Furthermore, Fury’s physical stature—standing at 6’7″ with a record of 34-0-1, including 24 knockouts—has been subject to discussion. His recent weight gain due to a mysterious cut has led to observations that smaller fighters transitioning from the cruiserweight division often struggle against larger opponents in the heavyweight category.
Follow Sports 360 Degrees on WhatsApp Channel
Fury’s statement remains valid. Typically, former cruiserweights encounter challenges when transitioning to the heavyweight division and facing imposing opponents with considerable stature. However, Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) has already proven himself exceptional by defeating the 6’6″ Anthony Joshua twice.
During today’s press conference, fans were surprised by the effusive praise of Fury from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who referred to him as a “beautiful diamond” and expressed a desire for him to engage in ten more fights.
Upon seeing Alalshikh’s admiration for Fury on social media, fans immediately speculated that Usyk might struggle to secure a favorable decision on May 18th, potentially encountering a situation similar to Ngannou’s controversial loss if the fight were to go to the judges.
“I consider myself the best. I’m simply defending my title as the best against him,” Fury stated during the press conference regarding his upcoming match against Oleksandr Usyk on May 18th. “Weight divisions exist for a reason. When cruiserweights step up to face heavyweight opponents, they often come up short. While they may prevail against average-sized heavyweights, they struggle against elite competitors due to the significant difference in size. These are indisputable facts.”
Fury reiterated his focus on maximizing earnings from his bout with Usyk, asserting, “I’m driven by financial gain, not championship belts. It’s all about securing the highest possible payout.”
ALSO READ:
- Ryan Garcia Disses Devin Haney Before Title Fight
- Anthony Joshua Makes History with First Knockdown of Ngannou
- Joshua Retirement Speculation Post-Parker: Wilder’s Reaction
