Usyk poses with Tyson Fury's heavyweight world title ahead of undisputed fight

13 November 2023 , 16:11

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Usyk poses with Tyson Fury's heavyweight world title ahead of undisputed fight

Oleksandr Usyk posed with Tyson Fury's heavyweight world title during his appearance at the WBC convention in Uzbekistan.

Heavyweight world champions Fury and Usyk were scheduled to fight in Saudi Arabia on December 23, but the nature of Fury's crossover fight against Francis Ngannou last month delayed the undisputed clash. 'The Gypsy King' had to pick himself up off the canvas and fight on to win a controversial split decision in a fight that many boxing fans felt he lost.

Fury's words came back to haunt him as he threatened to sue Usyk if he couldn't make their December date, with the fight now expected to take place in February. Usyk took the WBC title, which is currently held by Fury and wasn't on the line in his fight with Ngannou, and held it over his head before labelling it as 'his belt'.

Who wins the undisputed heavyweight title fight - Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below

Fury was left battered and bruised after beating Ngannou and he refused to discuss his fight with Usyk after the hard-fought win. "They [Saudi] will sort it out when they sort it out. Until that day, I'm not interested. I said before, don't bother me about boxing until after this fight. I'm going home and I'm going to have a break to spend time with my kids, I've been away for 12 weeks," he told iFLTV.

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I've had a newborn baby I've seen three times that's six weeks old already. I'm fighting Usyk next and we've both signed the contract, whenever that is it is. All these boxing things and whatever else... I've done my job and I've been paid. Happy days and onto the next one. I'll get paid for that one and onto the next one after that. Nothing more to be said."

Usyk hasn't fought since defending his unified world title against Daniel Dubois in August, with a controversial low blow from Dubois overshadowing the Ukrainian's win. Fury, who claims he lost 72lb for his fight against Ngannou, has been advised by Usyk's promoter to watch his weight over the Christmas period.

“It depends on how he is going spend this time. If it brings him to a better shape and better spirit, then definitely yes. We remember Tyson after he defeated [Wladimir] Klitschko and was supposed to fight in the rematch, he spent his time, let’s say, not in the best manner," he told Daily Mail.

Harry Davies