Oleksandr Usyk’s manager confirms progress is being made with Tyson Fury’s team

Oleksandr Usyk’s manager has confirmed progress is being made over a potential undisputed heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury in 2023.

The Ukrainian was last in the ring in August when he retained his WBA, IBF and WBO belts after a split-decision victory over Anthony Joshua in Jeddah. 

There was numerous talks over an undisputed heavyweight contest with WBC-belt holder Fury took place immediately after Usyk’s success in Saudi Arabia.

A potential undisputed heavyweight showdown between Oleksandr Usyk (left) and Tyson Fury (right) could take place in early 2023

Fury ‘The Gypsy King’ will face Dereck Chisoria (right) next month before a 2023 showdown

The Gypsy King has instead opted to take on Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next month.

Despite that decision both fighters have still been lining up a winner takes all clash for at some stage next year.

Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas has confirmed that the fight taking place solely relies on Fury with them having everything in place and ready to go for the bout.

Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas (pictured) has confirmed progress has been made with the fight

Klimas told Seconds Out: ‘Everything is done from our side – everything.

‘So, there’s only one guy who can say, ‘Yes, we’re going [ahead];’ that’s Fury.’

His manager also understands Usyk would be the underdog, despite being the fighter with more belts, if the fight is agreed. 

‘Size difference of course, it’s not in Usyk’s favour,’ Klimas said. ‘(Fury) is a giant. Also, he’s a good fighter. He’s a talented fighter first of all; Second, he has a good boxing IQ.

‘He is a very, very dangerous fighter.’

These comments come on the back of Usyk himself confirming earlier this week that he will only first Fury next.

Usyk confirmed earlier this week at the Web Summit in Lisbon he only wants to fight Fury next

‘Right now my team is seeking conversations with Tyson Fury and he is really an unpredictable person so we can’t guarantee when,’ Usyk told the PA news agency at the Web Summit in Lisbon.

‘For me, the idea would be to fight maybe early February or beginning of March, like March 4, because I am an orthodox Christian.

‘During the great fasting before Easter I do not fight, so it should be all before or then after orthodox Easter (April 16).

‘I want to fight with Fury because I need the fourth belt and I don’t want to fight with anyone else until I have the fourth belt.’