TYSON FURY is being pushed by Saudi Arabia into sticking to a December 23 date for his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Gypsy King wants to delay the undisputed heavyweight superfight until January or February.
But his Saudi paymasters are determined to pull off a Christmas cracker having planned a whole six-month festival around it.
And Fury is at risk of being sued for breaching a £200million contract if he postpones.
On Friday the Brit, 35, bullishly insisted Usyk would have to fight him on December 23, saying: “If he doesn’t then he’s breached the contract and gets sued.”
Only a serious injury would enable Fury to push back the scrap.
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Fury confirmed he only suffered “surface bruising” in his embarrassing and controversial split-decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Riyadh.
The WBC champion jetted back to the UK today and said he was going to spend time with his family — less than two months before the Saudis want him back in the ring.
Pre-fight camps typically last between eight to 12 weeks.
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Before his flight to Heathrow, Fury said: “They’ll sort it out when they sort it out. Until that day, don’t bother me with boxing.
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“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.”
Fury v Ngannou kicked off ‘Riyadh Season’ — a six-month sports and entertainment season — so the Saudis are determined to host the first of Fury’s double-header with Usyk as planned.
Saudi Arabia’s second city Jeddah is hosting the Club World Cup this season, featuring Manchester City, with the final falling on Friday, December 22.
The plan is for a stunning week of sporting action to shine a bright and positive light on the controversial kingdom.
But Fury and promoter Frank Warren appear to be telling the billionaire sheikhs they might not be able to fulfil long-standing and lucrative commitments over a black eye!
Warren said it would be “crazy” to stick to December 23 and Fury “wouldn’t be able to spar” with a bruised face.
He added: “The fight will happen in late January or February.”
Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO king Usyk reacted by telling Fury the fight must happen on December 23 or it will never happen, while he accused Warren of being “sneaky”.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
