TYSON FURY claimed he will announce his return fight NEXT WEEK – but warned it will not be against Oleksandr Usyk.
The unbeaten WBC champion starred in WWE’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view in Cardiff and did so after calling out Usyk.
Tyson Fury speaking after WWE’s Clash at the Castle PPV
But with the Ukrainian ruling himself out till next year after recently beating Anthony Joshua, Fury is unwilling to hold out for him.
He said: “Usyk was calling me out after his last fight with Joshua, I’ve replied and said let’s do the fight this year, wherever they want to do it.
“I’ve been waiting for offers from countries to come forward, and all of a sudden Usyk has stated he doesn’t want to fight any more, he wants to fight next year, not this year.
“So, I’m not going to wait around for anybody, I’m announcing a fight next week.”
Fury, 34, appears to have confirmed he will come out of retirement, having said he would walk away after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, in April.
It comes as Usyk, 35, beat Joshua, 32, for a second time to set up the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout.
But the pound-for-pound star first wants to rest and recover with his loved ones, who he left while training amid a war with Russia.
Usyk said: “Fighting Tyson Fury in December is impossible. For two reasons.
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“First, I have old injuries that need to be treated. They made themselves known.
“Recovery will take a couple of months.Second, I just don’t want to box in December.
“I haven’t left the gym for half a year, I want to be with my children, my family, there are certain things to do at home.
“Boxing can wait a little. Next year, I think it will happen.”
In a separate interview with BT Sport, Fury revealed he knows who his interim opponent will be and will announce it at a press conference.
He said: “I think it’s going to get announced next week. I know who I’m fighting. I know who it is and I know who I’m fighting.”
Oleksandr Usyk speaking after returning to Ukraine
