Oleksandr Usyk will fight Filip Hrgovic on May 18 if Tyson Fury pulls out of their bout again – and Usyk’s coach believes Fury is in “rapid decline” after being dropped by Francis Ngannou
Oleksandr Usyk has a ‘secret’ part in his fight deal that says he’ll box Filip Hrgovic on May 18 if Tyson Fury pulls out again.
The big fight between Fury and Usyk was meant to happen tonight in Saudi Arabia, but Fury had to stop training two weeks ago because he got a cut while sparring. The match, which will decide the first undisputed heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis in 1999, was quickly moved to May 18.
If one of them can’t make the new date, they have to pay the other $10million from their fight contract. Usyk also made sure that if Fury doesn’t show up, he will fight the next boxer in line, Hrgovic.
Usyk’s coach Sergey Lapin spoke to Fruity Slots: “I hope Usyk will get the chance to settle the score with Fury on May 18, but if he continues to run, then we have a clause in the agreement to replace Fury with Filip Hrgovic,” and “Hrgovic is the back-up opponent, so the show will go on regardless of whether he shows up, this was also confirmed by His Excellency Turki Al Sheikh.”
Usyk has been ready for Fury since he beat Daniel Dubois last August in Poland. They almost fought on December 23, but after Fury nearly lost to Francis Ngannou last October, he needed more time.
Lapin expressed his doubts about Fury’s abilities after his match with the former UFC world champion. “Let’s say he did get cut – through a head guard and with large training gloves – can you imagine what will happen to his head when he receives a bomb from the Usyk in a ten-ounce glove?” he questioned.
“If Fury finally dares to enter the ring on May 18, then it will be a terrible dream for him, he has never boxed with a boxer of this level in his life. Ngannou exposed Fury for what he is, a fighter with too many miles on the clock, a fighter who has had too many wars, and a fighter who is now in rapid decline to the point he’s been badly troubled by sparring partners. ”