Who's next for Fury? Everyone is cheering for the unification of the belts against Usyk, but The Villain is a more realistic option

"This was a great trilogy, and for a good dance, you need a partner, and he was. But now it's over. Wilder is over. Dionte Wilder no longer exists."

Tyson Fury was quite clear after perhaps the best match in the heavyweight category in the 21st century. Deontay Wilder was indeed a worthy rival, but after two consecutive defeats by Fury, he would have to admit that he lost to a better fighter, although he will certainly not say that. But Fury is right. After three clashes with the American, the world wants to see a new challenger.

The only question is who?

Fury did not want to prejudge anything but only said that he was convinced that he could win at any time. After all, it's not all up to him. There is no doubt that the boxing world would most like to see the fight with Oleksandr Usyk to unite the championship belts in the four most important versions (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO).

Fury knocks out Wilder to retain WBC crown in heavyweight classic

The problem is that Usyk, the owner of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, must first afford a rematch to Anthony Joshua, and although Fury's team has already suggested the countryman give up the second match with the Ukrainian, that proposal was rejected. So…

"Maybe we could organize a match with the winner of that duel. But only in the fall, at this time next year. They are negotiating a rematch sometime in March. After that, it will take them six months, so… It would be ideal for us for Joshua to give up the rematch and get to the point right away ", Fury's manager Frank Warren explained.

Wilder on the ropes (©Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

As this will not happen, a more realistic option is for Fury to be forced to defend the WBC title first. The challenger is another British boxer, Dilian Whyte, but he must first defeat the Swede Otto Wallin this month. Whyte is 33 years old. He used to be a kickboxing champion, and they call him "The Villain" and "The Body Snatcher". He has had 30 fights so far, won 28, 19 by knockout, lost to Joshua in 2015 and then to Alexander Povetkin in 2020. After that, however, he took revenge and sent him to retirement, which was inevitable for the 42-year-old Povetkin.

Otto Wallin is not given much chance, although he has lost only one of 25 matches so far, from Fury, in September 2019. Although, we know that surprises are possible in boxing. That victory of veteran Povetkin over Whyte is enough proof, not to mention that miraculous night of Andy Ruiz against Joshua. If Wallin wins, he will first have to provide Whyte with a rematch.

The British will therefore support the clash between compatriots Fury and Whyte. The Gipsy King did not fight on home soil for three years.

It is, therefore, most realistic for Fury to first defend the WBC title against Dillian Whyte and then to try to unite all the belts in the clash with the better from the rematch of Usyk and Joshua.

The duel between Fury and Joshua has been expected for years. But although the younger Anthony frightened the rivals with his sculpted body and powerful blow, after his defeats by Ruiz and Usyk, many began to doubt earlier estimates that Joshua was destined to be the next great champion.

It's a shame to fight Wilder. No one has come so close to Fury, but boxing is a cruel sport. Once you run into someone better than yourself, they hardly let you back. So again, if Usyk defeats Joshua once again - and then doesn't arrange a clash with Fury - maybe the WBA, WBO and IBF belts will be spread among different owners. And that could be Wilder's chance, he was the WBC champion for five years, but he is celebrating his 36th birthday in October, and maybe it's time to think about retirement.