USYK EYES FURY PRIZE

OLEKSANDR USYK is adamant his next fight will be against Tyson Fury for the undisputed world heavyweight title.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the IBF have ordered Usyk to next defend that belt against his mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic, which would scupper Fury’s hope of fighting the Ukrainian.

But Usyk’s manager Alexander Krassyuk is confident the undisputed clash with Fury (left) will be next – some time between February 18 and March 4.

“At this stage, I can anticipate that it will not influence the undisputed,” said Krassyuk.

“We expect Usyk’s next fight to be for the undisputed and most likely it will take place in the Middle East.”

Fury will defend his WBC crown against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 3 and co-promoter Bob Arum is also optimistic he will then face Usyk. The Top Rank chief agrees it will likely take place in the Middle East and must happen before Ramadan begins on March 22.

“I don’t see any impediment to getting that fight done sometime before Ramadan,” said Arum. “That’s what Tyson wants to do and that’s what Usyk wants to do. So, it would be crazy not to put this thing on.”