TYSON FURY’s long-overdue showdown with Oleksandr Usyk has been delayed yet again, it’s been claimed.
The pair’s eagerly-anticipated undisputed heavyweight title fight was all set to take place in Saudi Arabia on December 23 before Fury was embarrassed by boxing novice Francis Ngannou.
GETTYTyson Fury was set to throw down with Oleksandr Usyk on December 23[/caption]
GETTYFans were left stunned in the third round when Ngannou floored Fury[/caption]
REUTERSThe pair’s long-awaited showdown has reportedly been pushed back to February[/caption]
Fury eeked out a narrow decision victory over the former UFC star but immediately poured cold water on the prospect of jumping back straight back into camp for the December dust-up.
Team Usyk insisted it was December or bust for the battle of heavyweight supremacy, which Sunsport revealed Saudi boxing chiefs have splashed out £200million for.
But both parties are said to have agreed to a rescheduled February date.
That’s according to EPSN, who claims former pound-for-pound king Usyk will have to wait until “will have to wait two additional months” to finally throw down with The Gypsy King.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren insisted December 23 was off the cards before the dust had even settled on the Riyadh rumble.
He said: “The fight will happen in late January or February.”
Fury and Usyk’s proposed February showdown will be the first of a two-fight series.
That means, barring any serious injury, boxing fans will see the pair duke it out twice next year.
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The stats from the fight show Fury landed more punches overall and in the majority of the rounds
Fury, 35, arrived back in the UK on Tuesday with wife Paris following a lucrative but legacy-damaging trip to Saudi.
Before flying back to Heathrow, he said: “They’ll sort it out when they sort it out.
“Until that day, don’t bother me with boxing.
“I’m going home, I’m going to spend some time with my kids.
“I’ve been away for 12 weeks. I’ve got a newborn baby I’ve seen three times.
“He’s six weeks old. I’ve done my job and been paid, happy days.”
APTyson Fury edged a narrow decision win over former UFC champ Francis Ngannou[/caption]