Tyson Fury has threatened to sue Oleksandr Usyk if the Ukrainian backs out of their heavyweight unification fight.
The Gypsy King, who is gearing up to face Francis Ngannou in a non-title crossover fight in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, also has a blockbuster bout with Usyk on the horizon, which promoters are hoping to stage on December 23.
Although there is a deal already in place, Usyk – the WBO, IBO, IBF, WBA champion – has claimed he will need a 14-week training camp ahead of facing Fury, casting doubt over them meeting before the end of the year.
And now, WBC heavyweight champion Fury has warned Usyk that he’ll face a lawsuit if he refuses to fight him in December.
‘Usyk’s a sausage,’ Fury told Sky Sports on Tuesday. ‘I expect it to be taking place in December, that’s what I’ve been told, so I’ve got no reason to disbelieve it.
Tyson Fury (above) has threatened to sue Oleksandr Usyk if the pair don’t face off in December
Fury has agreed terms to face Oleksandr Usyk (above) in an undisputed title fight later this year
Fury is gearing up to face Francis Ngannou (right) in a non-title crossover fight this weekend
‘Usyk has to fight me in December, doesn’t have a choice.
‘He signed the contract, so if he doesn’t, he’s breached contract and he gets sued. So he doesn’t really have a choice.’
Usyk last took to the ring back in August beating 25-year-old challenger Daniel Dubois in nine rounds.
After the bout, the Ukrainian urged that he would need 14 weeks to get into shape ahead of facing off against the Gypsy King.
‘I can’t say that everything’s OK, but I’m fine,’ Usyk said. ‘Some wounds, old injuries need to be healed. Everything’s under control.
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‘I do my training sessions everyday, 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.’
Talking exclusively to Mail Sport ahead of the fight in Saudi Arabia this weekend, Fury launched an expletive rant at Usyk, saying ‘f*** him’ if he even thinks about stealing the show on Saturday night by getting into the ring after his fight.
Usyk has revealed he will be ringside for the bout to take notes on Fury’s performance ahead of their undisputed heavyweight championship fight.
Fury told Mail Sport: ‘I say this, f*** Usyk. It’s not about him. This is the Tyson Fury show. It’s about me and Francis Ngannou.
‘The African King is meeting the Gypsy King and you know, we are throwing it down. So, anything that happens after that, happens after that and anything before that, is not important.
‘All this stuff about undisputed and all that s***, it’s never been of interest to me. It’s like what I said to [Wladimir] Klitschko. When I wasn’t a champion, he said I know you want my belts. I said I don’t give a f*** about your belts, I want to smash your face in.
Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daly sat down with Tyson Fury ahead of his fight with Francis Ngannou
The Gypsy King said Usyk better not think about stealing the show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
‘That’s what means something to me. Not the belts. Winning all the belts doesn’t mean anything to me.
‘I don’t know if the people of the world know this, but I’ve had every belt that’s ever been created apart from one, which is the central area heavyweight championship – and I’ve got my eye on that one as well.
‘So, all these belts, having them at one time or 10 times, not important. The important thing is beating the man up in the fight. After that, it doesn’t really matter. Anything that comes with it is a bonus.
‘But for me, the main focus is punching his face in.’