Tyson Fury has predicted a bare-knuckle clash with Oleksandr Usyk wouldn't "last long" while branding the Ukrainian a "midget".
Fury is set to defend his heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte on April 23, while Usyk is likely to be involved in a rematch with Anthony Joshua later this year.
Usyk recently travelled to the UK to hold talks over his rematch with Joshua and he challenged Fury to a bare-knuckle fight during his visit.
The 'Gypsy King' has since predicted he would "smash" his heavyweight rival in any event, and has criticised Usyk's defensive skills.
"That wouldn't last very long because he is a midget compared to me," Fury told Behind the Gloves. "I would knock him to bits and smash him to pieces.
"It wouldn't work anyway it isn't in a boxing ring where he can do his little movements and run away all night, I would grab hold of him and smash his face in and bang his head on the canvas, boom!
"Enough of that because he is in a crisis situation at the moment and now is not the time to discuss bare-knuckle boxing and fights. But when he is back, come and see the Mac!"
Fury held talks with his domestic rival Joshua regarding a step-aside deal so he could pursue an undisputed clash with Usyk rather than his defence against Whyte.
However the negotiations broke down with Joshua and Hearn blaming Fury for not accepting the deal after they claimed he demanded an interim bout.
The heavyweight champion responded by claiming that Joshua demanded further financial incentive to abandon his plans of revenge against Usyk.
Instead Fury will now face domestic rival Whyte and could look to set up a shot for all the belts against the winner of Joshua and Usyk.
For now Usyk holds the belts and he has cast doubts on a potential rematch with Joshua as he continues to fight for his native Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Who would win if the pair fought - Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know in the comments section below
Before he returned home to take arms against the invasion, Usyk dismissed claims he "ducked" the shot and is willing to fight Fury in any way possible.
"He's lying, I never duck anybody. If he wants I can fight him right now, with bare knuckles in the street. In all my career, I never ducked anybody," Usyk said.
"I even went to Moscow [to fight Murat Gassiev] when the situation between the countries were very tight, I showed everyone what I'm capable to do.
"It's boxing, anything can happen we know that. I think Fury will take it seriously and have good preparation for that fight, my opinion. I don't know who was offered what, I know only one thing. From our side when we were offered, we signed the paper right away.
"We were sitting quietly waiting for the news, but then the news came out that Fury has to fight with Whyte and that [the undisputed fight] is not happening."
