After a blockbuster first bout, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be back in the ring on December 21 to settle their rivalry. But there are some lingering doubts about whether ‘The Gypsy King’ will enter the squared circle and exchange blows with the unified heavyweight straps on the line. It’s not a question of motivation or the zeal to put on a display for the fans, but about money now.

Usyk, 37, and Fury, 36, clashed in May earlier this year to become the first undisputed heavyweight this century. After a close encounter, the Ukrainian fighter stood tall and took all the marbles to his home, setting up a rematch for December. But there have been doubts in the Usyk camp about Fury, at 34-1-1, honoring his rematch commitments and the contractual clause.

The camp has referenced on multiple occasions how the British fighter rescheduled their fight three times. They also considered how he failed to give Wladimir Klitschko his rematch on two different occasions, pulling out because of medical reasons.

Usyk, at 22-0, admitted his apprehensions when he sat down in a conversation with ‘Ready To Fight’. However, according to him, things would be different because of their contractual obligations, which impose financial sanctions in case of a withdrawal. The Simferopol native said, “No way, because the ball’s in our court now. He has a contract, and so do I until Dec 31st. We have to hold this fight up to and including [that date]. If he pulls out Dec 21st, he will lose all of his money and dividends and won’t be a man of his word anymore.”

Interestingly, a match with the winner of Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois is in the pipeline for the winner of Usyk vs. Fury for the next year. But Usyk only has the motivation to fight only two boxers now.

Retirement plans? Oleksandr Usyk hints at future after Tyson Fury rematch

‘The Cat’ revealed his plans with Seconds Out and admitted his interest in a trilogy fight with ‘AJ’. After that, he wanted to hang his gloves and give the younger generation a chance to take over. He declared, “Well, this is a rematch with Fury and possibly a third match with Joshua… Apart from Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, I have no desire to box with anyone.”

A trilogy match with Joshua, 34, would only make sense if the British fighter triumphs over Dubois, clinches the IBF title, and then tries to unify the heavyweight titles. Otherwise, taking a fight with Dubois also won’t affect Usyk’s image, as there is unfinished business between the two.

What do you make of these comments by Oleksandr Usyk about Tyson Fury? Do you believe the latter will pull out of the rematch? Let us know in the comments below.