Oleksandr Usyk has 'obligation' to fight Tyson Fury after Daniel Dubois bout, claims Ukrainian's promoter | The Sun

OLEKSANDR USYK has an "obligation" to fight Tyson Fury after his bout with Daniel Dubois, the Ukrainian's promoter says.

Usyk, 36, had looked set to battle it out with Fury, 35, in a fight that would have led to an undisputed heavyweight champion but talks between the two camps collapsed earlier this year.



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The failure to make that fight happen will see Usyk face off against Daniel Dubois tomorrow and Tyson Fury fight UFC star Francis Ngannou in an exhibition bout in October.

Talking about the prospect of Usyk vs Fury, Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk's promoter said: "It's our obligation to deliver this fight.

"The whole world wants to see this fight. Not just ourselves or people involved in boxing, but the whole world.

"People who know nothing about boxing would love to see the heavyweight undisputed fight for the four belts for the first time in the four-belt era.

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"I can promise you and promise all the fans around the world that I will do everything that can depend on me to make this fight happen."

Usyk has a perfect 20-0 record since turning professional in 2013 – prior to that, he won gold at the 2012 London Olympic games.

Initially a cruiserweight, he has seen himself ascend to the top of the heavyweight division after claiming Anthony Joshua's belts after victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.

Usyk won the rematch in Saudi Arabia decisively, which paved the way for a showdown with Fury that would have seen an undisputed heavyweight champion crowned.

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But an agreement couldn't be reached, with both sides making claims and counter claims as to why the bout fell through.

Usyk has criticised Fury's decision to fight Ngannou in October, claiming the fight is "not good for boxing".

Usyk said: "I think it's easy money for Tyson Fury. For me it looks a little too strange.

"A guy who is WBC heavyweight champion instead of fighting a guy from the top 10, suddenly chooses the guy as his opponent coming from the UFC. For Ngannou, this is cool. But for Tyson Fury, it isn't.

"Your perception and my perception are different. You treat it like a show, I treat it as an athlete. If he chooses this way, OK I respect his choice."

The bout was originally slated to take place in April at Wembley with Fury drawing the bulk of the criticism for the fight falling through.

Despite the public clamour to see Usyk and Fury face off, Usyk has inisisted that fighting 'The Gypsy King' will not define his legacy.

He said: "No, it is not the final point. I am 36, but this is just the beginning. I started boxing at the age of 15. It's just the beginning now.

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"I do realise there are not many years left for me in boxing and I don't want to spend much time in boxing. I want to take my kids to school and whatever."

Usyk and Dubois will face off in Wroclaw, Poland, tomorrow with Usyk's WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts on the line.

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