Boxing hero Tyson Fury has offered Oleksandr Usyk a chance to put his money where his mouth is and take him on in their first bout as a surprise appearance at WWE Cardiff on Saturday ended up with the Gypsy King knocking out Austin Theory.
With the world heavyweight champion sat watching in the stands at the Millennium Stadium, fans were shocked when Theory was caught with a daunting right-hand by Fury, who lapped up the applause in typical fashion. The incident subsequently led to much debate over Fury's future in fighting. With more boxing events touted for him in the future alongside guest appearances in the UFC – which he has not completely denied, it also appeared that WWE was next on the agenda.
Fury again failed to turn down the invitation, casting doubts over his commitment to retirement which he has hinted at time after time over the past couple of years. But the Gypsy King seemed to welcome a future in the WWE if an opponent can be found for him as he approaches the end of his career. Not before calling out Usyk for a heavyweight clash to be arranged after calling the Ukrainian a 'little b***h', right enough.
"Well, who knows? Never say never to anything, especially when I'm involved," when asked about a future cameo on WWE cameras. "You never know, you never know. I had the fight with Braun Strowman over in Saudi Arabia at the Crown Jewel. I've been doing little bits and pieces since then but I'm still waiting to get another bout. Who knows when, I don't know myself!"
Fury was asked whether rumours over his retirement were true, and if he was finally set to hang up his gloves; which he vehemently denied by calling Usyk into action.
"Officially, I saw a video from the middleweight who just beat a bodybuilder saying he wanted to fight me and called me out after the fight," Fury continued. "I replied straight away and I've just done another one recently to say 'look, let's fight', and now he doesn't want to fight. He let his mouth go and now he's running scared, like a little b***h that he is.
"He says he wants to fight next year, that he's got some injuries from the sparring contest they had, so I can't do much about it. I'm going to be fighting very soon against someone we don't know yet, we're still looking for an opponent."
The Ukrainian, 35, beat British boxing star Anthony Joshua by split decision last month as he retained the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia. With Fury yet to fight either of the pair, it sets up a tantalising prospect that could expedite an all-British clash between himself and Joshua.
Fans have been waiting to see that particular match-up happen for years, and with the duo entering their mid-30's, you do start to get a sense of now or never.
