Tyson Fury has been set a deadline to agree to a fight against Oleksdandr Usyk or face missing out on the unification bout which has been expected to take place since Fury beat Derek Chisora earlier this month.
Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk has said that talks are progressing well, but that if a fight cannot be scheduled for before March 4th then the proposed bout will not happen. The date is expected to be late February, but the date now being set by Usyk's team leave little room for negotiation.
Krassyuk also said that Fury was 'safe and sound' amid concern regarding a potential elbow injury which Fury hinted at following his win against Chisora. The fight is expected to take place in the Middle East, but Krassuyk kept the options open for a fight to take place in the UK, with no confirmation of the expected venue.
ALSO READ: Tyson Fury informed of Oleksandr Usyk delay as alternative fight ordered
Krassykk explained his and his client's position, explaining: "This fight happens till [the] 4th of March or it never happens. "Both parties [have] agreed to fight. Should happen before March 4th. Location: Any place in the universe."
Usyk's last fight was against Anthony Joshua, with the 35-year-old Ukrainian winning by split decision in Saudi Arabia back in August. However, should Fury agree to a fight in the Middle East it would be the first time that he has fought in such a location having returned from a succession of US fights to face Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April before his win against Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Krassuyk added: "If Saudi want to grab it, they have to be faster. Otherwise it will land elsewhere (I.E Emirates, Qatar or UK)."
READ NEXT:
