Tyson Fury has been urged to remain in shape to secure the undisputed world heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk, with the Ukrainian’s manager Alexander Krassyuk expressing concerns to Mail Sport’s boxing podcast The Hook.
Fury and Usyk signed contracts at the end of September to set up an undisputed heavyweight championship fight in Saudi Arabia, the first since 1997.
The showdown was initially planned for December 23, but it is believed February 2024 is now more likely.
Fury’s unconvincing split decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou- which left him with a black eye after the nervy encounter in Saudi Arabia last month – has left the Gypsy King needing more time to recover.
Krassyuk confirmed that the Usyk camp are willing to give Fury more time to recover from the fight, but warned this was on the condition he remains in shape ahead of their clash.
Tyson Fury, left, has been warned to stay in shape ahead of a fight against Oleksandr Usyk
Uysk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk said Fury must use additional time to get in shape
Krassyuk referenced Fury’s struggles after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, with the Gyspy King then ballooning to 28 stone during a two and a half year hiatus from boxing
‘It depends on how he gonna spend this time,’ Krassyuk told The Hook.
‘If it brings him to a better shape and better spirit, then definitely yes.
‘But we remember Tyson after he defeated Klitschko and was supposed to fight in the rematch, he spent his time, let’s say, not in the best manner.’
Krassyuk’s comment referred to Fury ballooning to 28 stone following his victory over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, which saw him become the heavyweight champion of the world.
Fury’s weight gain came amid a his two-and-a-half year hiatus from boxing, where he struggled with his mental health and slumped into depression.
He shed a staggering 8st before making a remarkable comeback in June 2018, beating Sefer Seferi.
Fury then lost even more weight to take on Deontay Wilder in December 2018.
The Gypsy King opened up on his weight to Mail Sport last month, insisting that he doesn’t have any hope of having a good body.
Usyk’s camp are willing to give Fury more time to recover from his fight with Francis Ngannou
‘It’s good to have a good body. I would love to have a good body. But, I don’t have any hope of having a good body,’ Fury said.
‘I have been training for well over 20 years and I still haven’t got a good body. I’ve been in a training camp, living like a monk, for the past 12 weeks and I still don’t have a good body.
‘If I had a 10 pack and I looked like Adonis – completely unbelievable and I wasn’t winning, it’s pointless. So I don’t really care about being fat.’
Krassyuk told The Hook that details on the date of the fight between Fury and Usyk could be announced this week.
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