Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk “almost done” for Feb 18th or Mar 4th in Middle East

By Boxing News - 12/08/2022 - Comments

By Scott Gilfoid: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is close to being done for February 18th or March 4th in the Middle East, according to Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas.

Assuming Fury makes it through training camp without physically falling apart and needing to postpone, fans will see an excellent fight between him and Usyk early next year.

Fury fighting in early 2023 will come down to how quickly he heals up from the injuries he sustained in his contest last weekend against journeyman Derek Chisora. Fury’s body is like an old car, fragile and ready to fall apart at a moment’s notice.

“Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world titles is “almost done,” Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas says. Camps have been in negotiations for weeks before the Derek Chisora fight. Target dates of Feb 18th – March 4th in the Middle East,” per talkSPORT.

Unfortunately, either of those dates might be too soon for the injured Fury to take. The 34-year-old Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) got banged up in that fight, and it’s questionable whether he’ll be healthy enough to make a quick return in February or March against IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).

Fury will need to make it through training camp in one piece for the Usyk fight to happen, and it’s iffy that he’ll be able to do that.

Given Fury’s recent history of blowing up the Anthony Joshua fight by setting two deadlines, you have to be wary of him being close to having a match against Usyk done.

With all the praise Fury and his promoters have been pouring over the head of Joe Joyce since last Saturday night, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s the one that is next instead of Usyk.  Fury has been giving a lot of love to Joyce, making it seem obvious that he’s the one that he’s chomping at the bit to fight rather than Usyk.

It’s understandable why Fury isn’t gung ho about fighting Usyk because he’s an athletic heavyweight who will be moving all around the ring, making a monkey out of him all night.

If Fury pulls out of the Usyk fight due to injury, he’ll probably turn around and make the fight with interim WBO champion Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) next.

That fight will play out more in the UK than a match between Fury and Usyk, who isn’t a household name in the country.