Tyson Fury faces crushing blow as six-month rule revealed
Tyson Fury may only be heavyweight champion for six months as boxing rule comes to light
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Tyson Fury will only be heavyweight champion for a maximum of six months if he's able to beat Oleksandr Usyk in February, Frank Warren has confirmed.
The Brit is currently preparing for his upcoming fight, having beaten Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia last month.
Four belts will be on the line when Fury and Usyk finally go up against each other.
Their fight had been pencilled in for February but, with the Brit needing more time to prepare, plans have changed pending an official announcement.
Tyson Fury needs more time to prepare for Oleksandr Usyk fight because of gruelling nature of his win over Francis Ngannou
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According to Warren, however, Fury will only be heavyweight champion for a maximum of six months if he's able to reign supreme.
And that's because Usyk will then need to face Filip Hrgovic, with the paperwork already signed.
A rematch clause means the winner of Fury vs Usyk will be stripped of the IBF fight, with Hrgovic hoping to step in to secure the prize.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Warren said: “The next mandatory fight is Hrgovic for Usyk.
"The IBF have sanctioned the [undisputed] fight, contracts were lodged.
"That’s the only reason [we announced the Usyk fight before Ngannou], we weren’t being disrespectful to Ngannou.
"We had to lodge the contracts.
"Once those contracts are lodged, they had to then give them to the other side, which is Hrgovic’s team.
“It’s got to take place in the next five, six months.”
Boxing fans have waited years to see Fury and Usyk slog it out to become heavyweight champion.
Finally, it looks as though they're going to get their wish.
It will be a huge boxing clash and is set to take place in Saudi Arabia, just like Fury's recent victory over Francis Ngannou.
Usyk's promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, wants Fury to spend his time wisely preparing for the fight.
And that's because of their willingness to postpone the initial bout.
"It depends on how he gonna spend this time," he said when quizzed on how the camp feel about a delay.
"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."
And Krassyuk also hailed Saudi Arabian officials for being willing to change the initial date.
"Listen, these people are amazing people," he said.
"They are very professional, and they have huge knowledge and experience in sports.
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Tyson Fury is eager to beat Oleksandr Usyk in battle of the two boxing heavyweights
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"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."