Tyson Fury given hope from unlikely source amid threat of eyewatering £200m lawsuit
Tyson Fury is at risk of a massive £200m lawsuit as Oleksandr Usyk fight hangs in the balance
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On Tuesday it emerged Tyson Fury could be slapped with a £200million lawsuit if he fails to fight Oleksandr Usyk on December 23.
But the Ukrainian's camp have now given the Gypsy King hope of pushing the fight back.
Fury was left bruised after his hard-fought victory over Francis Ngannou on Saturday night.
The 35-year-old won by split decision but was knocked down in the third round - in a moment that stunned the world of boxing.
Tyson Fury sustained a 'few injuries' during his boxing fight with Francis Ngannou
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Fury had previously announced he would be fighting Usyk two days before Christmas.
But, since going up against Ngannou, the veteran has sounded less confident that the fight will go ahead.
Should the date have to be changed, then Saudi Arabian chiefs could sue Fury for a massive £200m.
They reportedly have a whole festival planned around the event and know it will be lucrative - as well as beneficial to the country.
However, Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk has now given Fury hope of a delay by saying they're open to agreeing to fresh terms.
"We have a date in the contract but c’mon, we are reasonable people," he told Seconds Out.
"If he is really injured and he is really unable to fight that might happen to any fighter.
“It has to be done in a proper way.
"If he is really injured then there is some kind of medical procedure that certifies his injury.
"Then probably that’s OK.
"If it’s just they don’t want to fight Usyk because he is weak, and they don’t want to take risk, then it doesn’t sound reasonable for me because you know why?
"What’s the difference between losing to Usyk on December 23 or losing to Usyk on January 17 or losing to Usyk, let’s say, February 13th?
"There’s no significant difference. The sooner the better.”
Spencer Brown, Fury's manager, confirmed after his client's fight with Ngannou that he was suffering with 'a few injuries'.
He said: “If Tyson had to fight on the 23rd, of course he will.
"He’s not gonna shy away from anything, but he’s got a few injuries there.
"Not massive ones, but enough to stop him fighting on the 23rd. This fight is going ahead come rain or shine.
“I spoke to Egis [Klimas, Usyk’s Manager] today.
"He was insistent, and they’ve been so helpful. Very genuine with us.
"They’re not looking to push us that far, but they will be ready on the 23rd.
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Oleksandr Usyk's camp have given Tyson Fury hope of postponing their lucrative showdown in Saudi Arabia
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"He said we understand Tyson might have a few knocks. If so, can we get a date in place and get in confirmed in the next 24 hours.”
Fury has won 34 of his 35 fights so far, drawing the other with Deontay Wilder in 2018.
Usyk has emerged victorious from all 21 of his fights, winning by KO in 14 of them.