Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk is desperate to make an undisputed fight with Tyson Fury but he’s unsure if it’ll actually happen.
Usyk retained his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles with another convincing victory over Anthony Joshua last month to set up a mouth-watering clash with ‘The Gypsy King’.
Fury has retired twice since beating Dillian Whyte in April and insists only ‘obscene’ amounts of money would get him back in the ring.
A fight with Usyk in Saudi Arabia on December 17 has been proposed by Fury’s promoter Frank Warren – but the undefeated fighter wants the Saudis to cough up £500m to coax him out of retirement.
During a recent press conference in Ukraine, Usyk revealed that talks are underway for a fight with Fury, but he is not sure if they’ll amount to anything.
“I want the WBC title,” he told gathered media in Kyiv on Friday.
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“Although many in the boxing world would like this fight, we don’t know what Tyson has in his head. Everyone knows that this is a very crazy guy.
“Managers and promoters are working to make the fight take place. I would really like this fight to happen next year. But if it’s not Fury, then there is no interest in boxing with anyone else.”
The 35-year-old has no interest in returning to the ring this year and explained why a potential fight between him and Fury will not take place until next year.
“Fighting Tyson Fury in December is impossible,” Usyk added.
“For two reasons. First, I have old injuries that need to be treated. They made themselves known. Recovery will take a couple of months.
“Second, I just don’t want to box in December. I haven’t left the gym for half a year, I want to be with my children, my family, there are certain things to do at home. Boxing can wait a little. Next year, I think it will happen.”
While his heart is set on a fight with Fury, the former cruiserweight king hasn’t closed the door on a trilogy bout with Joshua despite convincingly beating the Englihsman in successive fights.
“If Fury floats away, then maybe we will agree on a third fight with Joshua,” Usyk concluded.
Before that can happen, Joshua has some work to do. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is already planning a comeback fight for his star client later this year and has suggested next summer he could rematch Dillian Whyte in a UK stadium show.
Who knows, this time next year Usyk vs Joshua 3 may be in play.
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