According to the American boxing media, former super middleweight world boxing champion Carl Fuci talked about the four-major organizational merger battle between Tyson Fury and Usyk on February 17, 2024.
A former 168-pound tough guy who has only lost two fights in his career and never been knocked out by an opponent, Fury is a well-known name in British boxing. "I would put Fury at No. 1 and Usyk is No. 2, and although I think Usyk can beat Fury, he has to prove that he is the number one brother by beating Fury, and Usyk is No. 2 because he beat Joshua twice," Fury said. I wouldn't put Naganno in the top 5 because he only played 1 professional fight, so it doesn't mean much, and if he plays against the top 10 fighters in the next fight, we'll see how he goes. ”
If everything really goes according to Fuqi's words, Usyk kills Fuli as expected, which is undoubtedly bad news for Zhang Zhilei, and he must feel uncomfortable. Because compared with Usyk, Zhang Zhilei expects to face Fuli more, and the battle with Fury will bring Zhang Zhilei higher benefits, and the sensation of the game will be stronger. However, the heavyweight division is the most volatile of the 17 divisions of professional boxing, and anything can happen, and Fury's loss to Usyk is not an upset.
Zhang Zhilei has sent another letter of request to Joshua a few days ago, hoping that Joshua will accept the challenge and give an explanation to fans around the world. But Joshua is still weighing the opponent, in addition to Zhang Zhilei, he may also face off against IBF legal challenger Hrgovic, once Usyk and Fury execute an immediate rematch, the IBF title will be reduced to a vacant state, contested by Hrgovic and Joshua, so Zhang Zhilei's next match has not been officially finalized, and is still waiting for news from Joshua's team.
If Usyk defeats Fury and neither is ready to replay immediately, then Usyk will face a forced challenge from Hrgovic, who will be the interim champion and forced challenger of the WBO before he can get a chance to face the winner, most likely in late 2024 or the first half of 2025. As for who can have the last laugh in the peak duel between Usyk and Fury, and who is Zhang Zhilei's next opponent, let's wait and see.