21 October 2023 , 13:00
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Oleksandr Usyk has admitted he is suffering from some "old injuries" ahead of his undisputed heavyweight title clash with Tyson Fury.
Usyk is preparing to face fellow heavyweight champion Fury as the rivals officially put pen to paper for a deal in Saudi Arabia after months of negotiations. Fury will first have to get past former UFC champion Francis Ngannou as they meet in a crossover fight next weekend to kick off Riyadh season.
Fury hasn't fought since defending his world title against Derek Chisora last December whilst Usyk stopped mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in August. Usyk plans to spend over three months in training camp preparing for Fury but will spend an extra two weeks rehabilitating from the injuries that currently causing him some issues.
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“I can’t say that everything’s ok," Usyk said on his YouTube channel. "But I’m fine. Some wounds, old injuries need to be healed. Everything’s under control. I do my training sessions every day but I need 14 weeks for my camp. It would be enough time for me. The first weeks I’m doing my work that helps me to get ready for the training camp. Then I’m working hard for the next 12 weeks."
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The undisputed clash could take place as soon as December 23 but the first quarter of next year is a more realistic date. Ngannou has taken offence to Fury booking the fight before they step foot in the ring as he plans to derail any chance of it taking place sooner rather than later. Usyk explained that he wants an official date to be announced for the fight so he can begin to map out his training camp.
“The negotiations have been going on for quite a long time in Saudi Arabia. After having the fight with Dubois we had a meeting with the representatives of the company that is organising the Fury-Ngannou bout and had the agreement on cooperation. Tyson Fury has his contract signed with them. The bout interests all parties," he added.
“I would like to know the exact day and place. Knowing it allows me to plan my training camp and chose its place. All these help me to start preparing. I understand that the promotion of the match is important and necessary – it is a component of the show. But when I know the day and the place I can put on my helmet, close the visor and set off.”