Tyson Fury is ready to face Oleksandr Usyk in a first ever four-belt heavyweight unification bout before the turn of the year.

After his victory over Anthony Joshua last month, Uysk issued a challenge to the Gypsy King. However, the Ukrainian has since stated that he wants his first defence to be in 2023.

This has prompted an intense reaction from Fury who is keen to get the fight on in December. Fury had announced that he intended to retire from the ring after his victory over Dillian White.

However, he has taken a U-turn and wants to unify the heavyweight division. Before the turn of the year if possible.

He said: "Usyk, middleweight; you say you want the WBC and it's held by gypsies, it is held by gypsies, it's held by the Gypsy King.

"And it's held tightly, grasped tight and all rounds lead to a seven-foot behemoth that will destroy you, middleweight. Middleweight, you will get smashed to bits.”

Usyk began his career as a middleweight but has made the step up, while still retaining his movement skills. While labelling Joshua as a “bodybuilder” Fury clearly feels his size and strength will be too much for the Ukrainian.

Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Kathy Duva backed Tyson Fury to beat both Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Tyson Fury talks with Dillian Whyte's corner following the WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tyson Fury

"You say you want to fight me after you beat the bodybuilder, called me out on television, now you're being a little b***h, p**** boy, running, hiding, saying you've got injuries.

"You haven't got injuries, you had a sparring contest. Get out and fight in December, you let your mouth go, now let's back it up.

"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'll obliterate you.”

They are strong words from Fury, however there could be several reasons why Usyk is ruling himself out until the New Year.

Firstly, the problems in his homeland, secondly a desire to spend some time with his family and thirdly recovery. His training programme for the Joshua fight was brutal.

Fury is so keen to get back in the ring that, according to the Daily Mirror, he is ready to fight old rival Mahmoud Charr and has also looked at the possibility of taking on Derek Chisora before the end of the year.

However, it is a potential clash with Uysk which really gets the pulses racing and it will be an event to look forward. Whether that is December or in 2023.