Oleksandr Usyk is eager to agree an undisputed clash against Tyson Fury before March next year.
After successfully defending his IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in August, the undefeated Ukrainian insisted he would not rush back into the ring, ending hopes of the Fury fight taking place before the end of the year.
But a shot at the WBC heavyweight title to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis remains his top priority.
Talks are underway between both camps but Usyk insists a fight must take place before 4 March or wait until later in the year.
‘Right now my team is seeking conversations with Tyson Fury, and he is really an unpredictable person, so we can’t guarantee when,’ Usyk said at Web Summit in Lisbon.
‘For me, the idea would be to fight maybe early February or the beginning of March, like March 4, because I am an orthodox Christian.
‘During the great fasting before Easter I do not fight, so it should be all before or then after orthodox Easter (April 16).
‘I want to fight with Fury because I need the fourth belt, and I don’t want to fight with anyone else until I have the fourth belt.’
February had been suggested as a possible date for Fury vs Usyk, with the former set to defend his belt against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 3 December.
Usyk returned to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February this year to enlist in defence forces, temporarily delaying his rematch with Joshua.
The former cruiserweight king would like to bring the Fury fight back to his homeland, but admits Saudi Arabia is a more likely destination.
‘The organisers are trying to figure out where they can earn more money. For me, yes, I would really like to fight in Ukraine. The country is really capable of hosting this kind of fight.
‘I would be really happy to see it happen in the Olympic Arena in Ukraine. But it is not me who chooses the venue, so I guess it will (this time) be Saudi Arabia.’
MORE : ‘Very interesting fights ahead’ – Oleksandr Usyk vs Canelo Alvarez at cruiserweight an option if Tyson Fury fight calls through
MORE : ‘He’s a force to be reckoned with’ – Deontay Wilder’s camp fear Joe Joyce more than Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
