Saudi Arabia's stance on Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight delay revealed amid '£200m lawsuit threat'

Boxing news: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are now set to fight in Saudi Arabia in February

GETTY
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 08/11/2023

- 08:25

The two men had originally been expected to go up against each other on December 23

Saudi Arabia chiefs are on board with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk delaying their boxing match, according to the Ukrainian's promoter.

The duo had been expected to fight in the Middle East next month, with contracts signed.


However, Fury needs more time to recover having been left bruised following his recent victory over Francis Ngannou.

It was previously suggested that, if the 35-year-old wanted to reschedule, he'd be at risk of a massive £200million lawsuit.

Boxing news Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Saudi Arabia are on board with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk delaying their fight

GETTY

Yet Usyk's promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, has insisted the Saudis are on board with a delay.

And that's because they want the best spectacle possible, something that's likelier to happen if the showdown takes place in February instead.

"Listen, these people are amazing people," he said of the Saudis in an interview with the Daily Mail.

"They are very professional, and they have huge knowledge and experience in sports.

"So they understand it clearly, and they want to make it. So they put all the efforts to match all the all the wants and needs of the fighters.

"These are the champions. The champion is fighting the champion.

"They want to make them feel comfortable. So that's what they do and they do it perfectly."

Krassyuk also sais Usyk was happy to give Fury extra time to prepare for the fight.

However, he wants the Brit to spend his time wisely - rather than indulging in the finer things in life.

"It depends on how he gonna spend this time," he continued.

"If it brings him to a better shape and better spirit, then definitely yes.

"But we remember Tyson after he defeated [Wladimir] Klitschko and was supposed to fight in the rematch, he spent his time, let's say, not in the best manner."

Fury wasn't at his best during his recent bout with Ngannou.

The Brit was knocked down in the third round of their fight and ended up winning via split decision.

Krassyuk wasn't impressed by what he saw from the Gypsy King during his battle with Ngannou in Saudi.

And he's concerned about the condition Fury is currently in and whether he'll actually be a match for Usyk, despite the Brit never losing a career date so far.

"It was definitely not his best performance," he continued.

"Not even close to his to his [best] performance.

"I've never seen him like that and I hope I will never see him like that.

"Listen, he won the fight. There is no doubt about it. But the way he did it did not look good.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Boxing news Tyson Fury Francis Ngannou

Boxing news: Tyson Fury was unconvincing during his recent victory over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia

GETTY

"[Usyk] was sweating all the fight because there was a chance for Tyson to lose.

"Can you imagine? If he loses, who will watch this fight?

"You know, Usyk is such a great professional that he knew all the weaknesses that Tyson Fury has.

"Did it bring any extra confidence? No, Usyk has always been confident in what he does."

You may like