Tyson Fury has vowed to "obliterate" Oleksandr Usyk after his fellow heavyweight champion admitted to having injuries that will push back their fight date.
Promoters had been keen to book the bout for December, in time for it to happen in Saudi Arabia the night before the World Cup final, which takes place just three hours down the road in Qatar. However, Usyk has explained he is nursing injuries from before his rematch with Anthony Joshua and will instead fight next year.
The Ukrainian had a traumatic year fighting on the frontline in Ukraine before eventually getting out and into fight camp for his rematch with Joshua. He is now planning to take some time out with his family before pushing for the WBC belt that Fury holds in order to make history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
"Usyk, middleweight, you say you want the WBC and it's held by gypsies," Fury said in a video on social media directed at his fellow champion. "It is held by gypsies, it's held by the Gypsy King and it's held tightly, grasped tight and all roads lead to a seven-foot behemoth who will absolutely destroy you, middleweight.
"Middleweight, you will get smashed to bits. You said you wanted to fight me after you beat the bodybuilder [Joshua], called me out on television and now you're being a little b**** p**** boy running, hiding, saying you've got injuries. You ain't got no injuries, you had a sparring contest.
"Get out and fight in December, you let your mouth go, now back it up. Let's see if you can back it up, middleweight. It doesn't matter if it's December or April or August next year, the outcome will be the same; I will obliterate you. I'm a seven-foot, 20-stone behemoth and I will destroy you, middleweight. Find your balls and come see me, b****."
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Usyk is keen to make the fight happen, but wants to hold off until he has healed up, which would take the fight into next year. It is expected that the super-fight will take place in Saudi Arabia where Usyk just defeated Joshua, and hundreds of millions are on offer for both fighters.
The heavyweight division hasn't had an undisputed champion since the WBO belt became recognised as a major title, with Lennox Lewis the last one to hold the WBC, WBA and IBF belts before that. If Usyk wins he will become the first man to hold undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight gold.
"Fighting Tyson Fury in December is impossible," Usyk said. "First, I have old injuries. Second, I just don't want to box in December. I haven't left the gym for half a year, I want to be with my children, my family. Boxing can wait a little. Next year I think it will happen. I want the WBC title. It was captured by the gypsies, some kind of king. We don't know what Tyson has in his head. Everyone knows that this is a very crazy guy. I would really like this fight to happen next year."
