Ukraine’s promoter says Oleksandr Usyk has an “obligation” to face Tyson Fury in a fight for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Unified champion Usyk, 36, will defend his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles against Briton Daniel Dubois on Saturday.
Talks over a historic fight against WBC champion British Fury collapsed earlier this year.
“It is our duty to carry out this fight,” Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krasiuk said.
“The whole world wants to see this fight. Not just ourselves or the people involved in boxing, but the whole world.
“People who know nothing about boxing would love to see an undisputed heavyweight compete for the four belts for the first time in the four belt era.
“I can promise you and all the fans around the world that I will do everything it can count on me to make this fight happen.”
Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk is undefeated in 20 professional bouts.
He ousted Britain’s Anthony Joshua to become the welterweight champion in September 2021 before winning a rematch 11 months later.
Fury, 35, has won 33 matches to one draw since turning professional in 2008.
The will of the “gypsy king” The face of MMA fighter Francis Nganu in a non-title bout on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia, a move Usyk says is “not good” for boxing.
Ngannou has no professional boxing record and there is no clarity as to whether the contest will be considered an official bout.
“I think it’s easy money for Tyson Fury,” Usyk said. “I think it sounds a little strange to me, very strange.
“A WBC heavyweight champion guy instead of fighting a top 10 guy, he suddenly chooses the guy as his next UFC opponent. For Ngannou, that’s cool. But for Tyson Fury, it’s not.
“Your perception and perception are different. You treat it like a show, I treat it like an athlete. If he chooses that way, well, I respect his choice.”
Fury has faced criticism for failing to reach an agreement with Usyk after the proposed match at London’s Wembley Stadium in April fell through.
She paved the way for WBA (regular) champion Dubois, 25, to challenge Usyk for the belt in Wroclaw, Poland.
Usyk – seen as a strong favorite against the Londoner – doesn’t believe fighting Fury, and becoming the undisputed two-welterweight champion, is the last piece to completing his legacy.
“No, this is not the last point,” he said. “I am 36 years old, but this is just the beginning. I started boxing at the age of 15. It is just the beginning now.
“I realize I don’t have many years left in boxing and I don’t want to spend a lot of time boxing. I want to take my kids to school and whatever.”
Although Krasiuk is confident an agreement can be reached, British promoter Frank Warren – who represents both Dubois and Fury – believes the young Briton can prevent it from happening.
Warren said, “How is it going (now) when Daniel wins?”
“I think our guy hits him. Our guy hits him and if he hits him Usyk is out of the picture. Then we’ll see where we go from there.”
