Tyson Fury threatens legal action as boxing star prepares for Francis Ngannou fight

But while anticipation is rising, many are also hoping to see Fury step into the ring to go up against Usyk at the end of the year.

Promoters have been hoping for the fight to take place on December 23.

But Usyk has claimed he will need a 14-week training camp, which seems to complicate matters.

If the Ukrainian gets his way, the two men will go up against each other in the New Year instead.

Yet Fury has now said 'sausage' Usyk will be sued if the fight doesn't take place before Christmas.

“Usyk’s a sausage," he said.

“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.

"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 recently came through his showdown with Daniel Dubois, beating the 25-year-old in nine rounds.

And, speaking after that win, he outlined his demands for the battle with Fury to take place.

"I can't say that everything's OK, but I'm fine," he said.

"Some wounds, old injuries need to be healed. Everything's under control.

"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."

For now, Fury's immediate focus is on beating Ngannou.

While the fight has been widely mocked due to the former UFC star's lack of boxing experience, there's still plenty at stake.

Ngannou is being trained by Mike Tyson as his fight with Fury creeps closer.

And he's relishing the experience, even if the former heavyweight champion is 'intense' to work with.

“He’s very intense,” he said.

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“It’s about volume. It’s about pressure. It’s pressing, pressing. I remember the first time we trained together, and then the next day, he was like, ‘Are you sore?’ I’m like, ‘No.’ [He said], ‘That’s a mistake.’

“And then, I wake up the next day...I was sore from the second training.”

When asked about Fury finding Tyson working with Ngannou 'annoying', the former MMA star added: “It’s the sport. That’s how the sport works.

"Sometimes, you have a guy that you love, sometimes you have a brother that fights a friend, sometimes you have a friend that fights somebody that you actually like.

“Your heart is always going to be in one side, but maybe if he wasn’t fighting that guy, you would support him. But it happens. It’s a combat sport.”