Fury, like Joshua, a former heavyweight champion of the world, was beaten on all three judges’ scorecards by 116-112 at the end of his second straight loss to Usyk, the WBA, WBC and WBO title holder.

Fury, 36, refused to say whether he would continue fighting after Saturday’s defeat in Riyadh, saying “who knows?” when asked if he would extend his career.

But Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, believes a ‘Battle of Britain’ clash at Wembley could still be a sell-out fight, even if his fighter also just lost: Joshua was knocked out by the IBF champion Daniel Dubois in October.

“The reality is there is only one fight for Tyson Fury and that is Anthony Joshua. It is the biggest fight in British boxing history and everyone will want to see it,” Hearn told DAZN.

“It wasn’t a Tyson Fury that looked finished. It wasn’t a flat performance. It wasn’t a bad performance. He didn’t look timid or like his resistance to punches fist was in question.”

Hearn added: “Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers, but not good enough to beat Oleksandr Usyk.

“For me, AJ versus Fury is the right choice. One at Wembley, then back here for the season in Riyadh. I’m going to push his excellency (Saudi boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh) to take part in the fight.”

Fury was confident he had won, while his promoter Frank Warren said he was “stunned” by Saturday’s scoreline.

Despite conceding four stones (25kg) in weight and six inches (15cm) in height, the impressive Usyk landed more punches and better shots with greater accuracy than Fury.

“Thank you to everyone who came out to support me,” Fury said.

“We’re moving on. We’re now entering a new year and whatever that brings us, we’ll see.

“The fight is over now, it’s in the past. I don’t have a decision. It is what it is and we move on. I will go home to my family. I haven’t seen my children since 12 weeks.

“You can’t change decisions, I did my best. If I could have done more, I would have. And that’s it.”

© 2024 AFP