Usyk warned by former heavyweight champion he’ll be ‘overthrown’ this year: “I’m back”

Oleksandr Usyk has been sent a warning by a former ruler of the heavyweight division.

Usyk is the current king in the banner weight class, defeating all comers since stepping up from cruiserweight after first conquering that division and becoming undisputed.

He has achieved the same success at heavyweight, earning undisputed status on two occasions thanks to victories over the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

After vacating the WBO belt in November, he currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, but one of his former foes has now fired a clear message at the Ukrainian.

Posting on social media, Usyk’s past opponent Fury has revealed his plans to Usyk’s place at the top of the division.

“I’m coming for you. Whoever you are on my return as king, you will be overthrown, 100%. There is no doubt in my mind that I can’t reach the top again, 100% straight to the top.

Within this year I’ll be back on top of heavyweight boxing, you better believe that. The Gypsy King is back. Anyone can get it.”

Usyk defeated Fury on two occasions, winning their first bout in May 2024 by split decision, before a unanimous decision victory in their rematch seven months later.

That led to Fury announcing his retirement from the sport in January 2025, but after over a year out of the ring, ‘The Gypsy King’ is now set to return to action in 2026, with the likes of WBO champion Fabio Wardley, Usyk and Joshua all touted as potential targets.