TYSON FURY took another step closer to an undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
The two world champions are in negotiations to secure a deal and step into the ring with all the belts on the line.
PATyson Fury is in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk next[/caption]
GettyUsyk holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring heavyweight belts[/caption]
And boxing fans may not have to wait too much longer to see the ultimate blockbuster fight with a March 4 date on the cards.
That is because Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confirmed draft contracts have been sent to the Ukrainian star.
The Queensberry chief told talkSPORT: “We’ve sent them a draft contract, that’s where we’re at.
“Listen, it’s gotta be sorted out very, very quickly now because the time is against us.”
Fury, 34, retained his WBC title by beating Derek Chisora last month.
Usyk, meanwhile, snatched the WBA, IBF and WBO belts by beating Anthony Joshua in 2021.
The 35-year-old then defended them in their August rematch while adding the vacant The Ring crown too.
And now the race is on to get Fury and Usyk to fight in less than eight weeks’ time – with the venue still not even decided.
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Saudi Arabia could be a possible destination, although Fury fans will want it staged in the UK.
Asked where the fight would take place, Warren added: “Wherever the most money comes from.
“Nothing’s in place from anywhere outside the UK.
“We know what it can generate in the UK, but if it goes elsewhere then that depends on what the numbers are.
“I know a lot of people complain about it and I agree it should be at Wembley, I’d love to see it there.
“But Muhammad Ali and George Foreman went and fought in Zaire, then you had the Thrilla in Manila, you had the big fights in Jamaica.
“They went where the money was and these guys will do the same thing.
“I want to get the fight on in March and so will Tyson.
“We just want to get it on in March and that’ll set them up for another big fight in the autumn.”
That autumn bout could at long last be the Battle of Britain with Joshua after talks collapsed at the end of 2022.
AJ may take on Otto Wallin in the spring followed by a rematch with Dillian Whyte in the summer.
And should he win both of those, an eagerly-anticipated fight with Fury or Deontay Wilder could be on before the end of 2023.