Oleksandr Usyk will participate in a heavyweight struggle on May 18 even when Tyson Fury pulls out once more, the Ukrainian's camp have confirmed. Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk, has recommended that undefeated Olympic medallist Filip Hrgovic might step in for the Gypsy King if plans for an undisputed title struggle are pushed again for a 3rd time.

Fury and Usyk have been initially as a consequence of go face to face on December 23, however the Brit's unexpectedly turbulent win over UFC star Francis Ngannou in late October noticed it moved to February. With the rearranged bout approaching, Fury sustained a nasty reduce in sparring final week which required 11 stitches and a chronic interval of restoration.

A 3rd date has now been set, with Usyk's WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts, in addition to Fury's WBC title set to be up for grabs in Saudi Arabia on May 18. Usyk's promoter is adamant {that a} struggle will happen no matter whether or not the Gypsy King reveals up, with Hrgovic the clear front-runner.

"In case he [Fury] withdraws from the fight, a replacement should be foreseen in advance," Krassyuk defined. "In case, for some reason, he has a cut on his heel or anything, a fight will take place under any circumstances."

Usyk's camp toyed with the concept of drafting Hrgovic in to interchange Fury and continuing with this month's struggle date, however the 37-year-old will as a substitute return dwelling to see his new child daughter, regroup, and are available again in May.

Krassyuk and co have subsequently already been involved with Hrgovic's entourage. "In my coronary heart [a deal to face Hrgovic] was already carried out and with Oleksandr it was virtually carried out as properly, however it's as much as the Saudis to determine as a result of it is their present.

The 6ft 6in bruiser, born in Zagreb, Croatia, is unbeaten in 17 skilled fights, with 14 of these victories coming by the use of knockout. His most up-to-date outing was a first-round stoppage of Mark de Mori in December.

Hrgovic - Usyk's necessary title challenger - additionally handed Zhilei Zheng the one defeat of his profession earlier than the Chinese heavyweight recovered with two stoppage wins over Joe Joyce.