Attending the IBA convention in Istanbul, Fury spoke to numerous media outlets declaring that he will be returning to the ring next year and face unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a trilogy bout.

This sentiment was also echoed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh who declared that a Fury comeback was on the cards in a post on X.

As is often the case with any comments made by Fury, everything must be taken with a pinch of salt, but if he does decide to lace up the gloves once more, there is a chance it could be brought to a halt before it even starts.

On July 19, live on DAZN PPV, Usyk is set to face IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois for the undisputed heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium.

Since losing to Usyk two years ago, Dubois has fast become one of the premier names at heavyweight whose knockout power sends shockwaves across the globe.

Coming into the biggest night of his career, Dubois is a much-improved operator and is full of confidence before clashing with one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

Coupled with returning to the site of his destruction of Anthony Joshua in September, ‘Dynamite’ is in a strong position to shock the boxing world once more.

An Usyk vs Dubois trilogy

If Dubois does manage to beat Usyk, then it could mean Fury is unable to get what he wants if his intentions to end his retirement are legitimate.

As ever with high profile world title fights, especially for undisputed status, there is likely to be a rematch clause, therefore expect something similar for Usyk-Dubois.

A Dubois victory would level the rivalry with Usyk to one win apiece, so I would not be surprised if the Ukrainian will want to run it back. Then training camps, recovery from the first fight and other factors would have to be considered when it comes to setting the date for a trilogy bout.

Fury has pencilled April 18, 2026, as the date for his supposed trilogy of his own with Usyk, but if the latter does decide to pursue a third clash with Dubois, then an April meeting will look unlikely.

Dubois forcing Usyk into retirement

At the age of 38, the curtain will soon, if it has not done so already, begin to come down on Usyk’s career.

It is something that Usyk has not shied away from and even hinted that he could have just two fights left.

Yes, maybe a third fight with Fury could be a fitting conclusion to an impressive career, but if there are no world titles on the line, then there is a valid case for a lack of appeal to Usyk if he was to step into the ring against an opponent who he has already beaten twice.

 

Therefore, if Dubois beats Usyk in comprehensive fashion, it could prompt Usyk to call time on a boxing career which will be seen as one of the greats of the modern era with two undisputed titles and a win column which features some of boxing’s biggest names.

Would Fury want to suffer the same fate as AJ?

If Usyk does decide his career is over in a loss to Dubois, then another undisputed heavyweight title shot against ‘Dynamite’ could be of interest to Fury.

But then it will be a question as to whether Fury would be confident enough that he would not suffer the same humiliation as Joshua when he faced Dubois last year.

 

A possible April 2026 meeting with Dubois would mean Fury’s inactivity would stretch to 16 months, which is not ideal going into a fight of this magnitude.

In the past, Fury returned after a three-year layoff in 2018, but he is a much older man and whether his body can withstand the brutal power Dubois will be a key concern.

Fury has a close-knit circle who will advise whether fighting Dubois is a sensible move, but if he is concerned about losing either on points or laying flat on the ring canvas, then it’s a fight which I believe would be a step too far.

• Read next | Usyk vs Dubois 2 - Daniel Dubois set to make British boxing history and surpass Anthony Joshua

After being stopped by Usyk in 2023, no one would think Dubois could have a huge influence on Fury's future, but if he is to determine whether ‘The Gypsy King’ does make a comeback, he first needs to get revenge over one of modern boxing’s great fighters live on DAZN PPV.

Watch Usyk vs Dubois 2 exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Saturday, July 19 for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here