Oleksandr Usyk must fight Tyson Fury before April
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There has been a sizeable disturbance from unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s camp following Saturday’s bout between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Usyk’s people want the world-undisputed heavyweight title bout between Fury and Usyk to take place, if possible, this December.
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Prior to the recent match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, which was called ‘The Battle of the Baddest’, a match was expected to take place between the WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk as soon as December 23.
But the wounds Tyson Fury allegedly got from contesting with Ngannou are about to make fans wait for a longer time before they can see the fight they have been waiting for and talking about for a long time.
Though the excitement surrounding the match also includes a desire to see who is the better fighter between Fury and Usyk, it is also born of hunger to see an undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion since the days of sturdy Lennox Lewis.
Under the heat from pundits and fans, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury decided to sign a fight contract, which was disclosed just before Fury’s bout with Francis Ngannou, where the WBC champion was arguably beaten and won by the judges’ split decision. Many still think Ngannou won, and the defeated newbie has announced he wants a rematch.
Now Oleksandr Usyk’s team is trying to get proof that Tyson Fury is really wounded, since they want to know why the fight would not proceed on December 23rd as was desired.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, had commented in the wake of the Ngannou-Fury bout that Tyson Fury would not fight again this year.
Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, is uncomfortable with that.
‘We have a date in the contract but c’mon, we are reasonable people,’ Krassyuk started to say. ‘If he is really injured and he is really unable to fight that might happen to any fighter.
‘It has to be done in a proper way. If he is really injured then there is some kind of medical procedure that certifies his injury.
‘Then probably that’s OK. If it’s just they don’t want to fight Usyk because he is weak, and they don’t want to take risk, then it doesn’t sound reasonable for me because you know why?
‘What’s the difference between losing to Usyk on December 23 or losing to Usyk on January 17 or losing to Usyk, let’s say, February 13th. there’s no significant difference. The sooner the better.’
Tyson Fury’s fragile mental health is not a secret to those following his career. The weight of his disgraceful knockdown by a boxing newbie might be too heavy for him to fight with as soon as December, but Usyk’s team seems to want to make hay while the sun shines.
Nearly everyone predicted that Usyk would be beaten by Tyson Fury in the undisputed title bout, and only those who do not understand why Francis Ngannou performed well against Fury would think Usyk could replicate the same result. Ngannou’s strength, weight, and punch power were already respectable before he added boxing technique to the mix.
Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, had something to say about the latest developments in preparing for the undisputed title bout.
‘If Tyson had to fight on the 23rd, of course he will,’ Brown said. ‘He’s not gonna shy away from anything, but he’s got a few injuries there.
‘Not massive ones, but enough to stop him fighting on the 23rd. This fight is going ahead come rain or shine.
‘I spoke to Egis [Klimas, Usyk’s Manager] today. He was insistent, and they’ve been so helpful. Very genuine with us.
‘They’re not looking to push us that far, but they will be ready on the 23rd. He said we understand Tyson might have a few knocks.
‘If so, can we get a date in place and get in confirmed in the next 24 hours.’
Recall that Oleksandr Usyk was desiring a 14-week training time before going into the ring with Tyson Fury. Do you have any idea why he wants to fight so urgently?
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