Tyson Fury's recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk has left fans and experts speculating about the future of the British heavyweight. Fury, who was outpointed by Usyk in their undisputed heavyweight world title fight in Saudi Arabia last month, has been conspicuously silent since his first professional loss.

Fury's First Professional Defeat Raises Questions

The bout saw Fury dominate the initial rounds, only for Usyk to stage a remarkable comeback and secure the victory. This defeat has not only marred Fury's previously unblemished record but also cast a shadow over his career's trajectory.

Concerns Over Fury's Mental State

Since the fight, Fury has largely remained out of the public eye. Over the weekend, he was seen being escorted out of a bar by security, a scene that has raised alarms among his fans. The footage, which went viral, showed Fury hitting the ground once outside the bar, leading to concerns that he is struggling to cope with the defeat.

Will Fury Retire?

Former world champion Johnny Nelson believes that Fury may choose to retire rather than face Usyk again. Nelson suggests that the manner of Fury's defeat could be too much for him to handle mentally and physically.

"I think the realization of what’s happened will kick in slowly but surely. I don’t believe Tyson Fury will fight Oleksandr Usyk next or again," Nelson commented.

Nelson also pointed out that Fury has not been the same fighter since his first controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018. He emphasized that Fury's performance against Usyk and his previous fight against Francis Ngannou indicated a decline.

The Impact of Financial Success

One of the significant factors contributing to Fury's current state could be his financial success. According to Nelson, once a fighter reaches the pinnacle of both fame and fortune, it becomes increasingly challenging to find the motivation to return to the grind.

"When you’re that successful financially and gotten to the top, unless you really love it and you’re prepared to rough it out and get back there again, why would you listen to anybody that you think is a lesser man than you to tell you what to do?" Nelson added.

Future Prospects for Usyk

As for Usyk, he stands at a crossroads. If Fury does indeed retire, Usyk might either seek new challenges in the heavyweight division or consider moving down to cruiserweight, where he previously dominated.

Conclusion

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Tyson Fury's future in boxing. Whether he decides to retire or muster the strength for a rematch, the boxing world will be watching closely. Fury's legacy is already cemented, but how he chooses to close this chapter will define the final pages of his storied career.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova