Fury Back for Usyk — Sporting or Stubborn?

Back to the Same Target

The timing is less romantic. Fury returns on April 11 in the UK against Arslanbek Makhmudov after nearly two years away from the ring. He retired following the second Usyk loss, only to reverse course and announce another run. The stated aim is to become a three time world champion. The practical aim is harder to define.

Usyk still holds the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. He vacated the WBO belt, which leaves alternative routes open for Fury. Warren has floated other names in a suddenly crowded division, including WBO titlist Fabio Wardley. Rising heavyweight Moses Itauma is scheduled to face Jermaine Franklin on March 28 after their bout was postponed earlier in the year.

Still, Fury’s focus remains on Usyk.

Warren insists Fury has “cemented his legacy” already and does not need to fight. That may be true. Fury is a two time heavyweight champion who beat Wladimir Klitschko and twice dethroned Deontay Wilder. His place in the era is secure. The problem is that the last chapter people remember is Usyk outthinking him twice on the biggest stage.

Makhmudov, a heavy puncher who will outweigh most opponents on the night, is not a soft reentry. Warren has called it a tough comeback after a long layoff. If Fury struggles, the Usyk talk cools quickly. If he wins cleanly, the trilogy demand grows louder.

When Is Enough?

There is a fundamental sporting question hanging over this comeback. Fury has already had two chances to solve the Usyk puzzle; he was beaten decisively both times. A third attempt feels less like a pursuit of greatness and more like a search for personal closure.

While Fury remains obsessed with the one man he couldn’t beat, the rest of the heavyweight division has moved on. Fans will eventually decide whether a trilogy is a compelling pursuit of redemption or simply a repetitive loop the sport doesn’t need to see again. For now, Fury’s focus is narrow: he wants the best, and to him, that means Usyk. Whether the fans or the rankings agree is a different matter entirely.