TYSON FURY revealed he has a “risky” alternative fight in mind if talks with Oleksandr Usyk collapse.
The WBC champion and Usyk have been negotiating the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider since the new year.
Tyson Fury pictured at Wembley ArenaRichard Pelham / The Sun
And despite April 29 in Saudi Arabia emerging as the new target date for the historic unification, Fury has backup options.
He named ex-UFC heavyweight Francs Ngannou – the “biggest puncher in combat sports” – as a wildcard replacement for Usyk.
Fury told GiveMeSport: “If Usyk doesn’t happen like this month coming, then I’m going to say, ‘Right then, let’s move on and do Francis Ngannou’.
“And I’m looking to get big Francis in a cage with 4oz gloves on and throw down with him swinging some big bombs.
“It’s risky because Francis at one point was considered the biggest puncher in combat sports.
“So, with 4oz gloves on, all it takes is one punch and it’s all over.”
Ngannou, 36, is a free agent after failing to extend his UFC contract and has interest from Deontay Wilder, 37, and Anthony Joshua, 33, also.
Fury’s never-before-seen proposal of a hybrid rules bout, with 4oz gloves in the cage under boxing rules, would be a first.
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But according to ESPN, talks for his undisputed super-fight against Usyk, 36, are still progressing.
The Ukrainian WBA, IBF and WBO belt holder is said to have agreed a financial package with Saudi Arabian hosts.
Now Fury, 34, must do the same or the bout could land at Wembley stadium, where he knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, in front of 94,000 last year.
Francis Ngannou left the UFC after failing to agree a new dealGETTY
Tyson Fury is still in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykREUTERS Read More