Usyk’s Manager Rejects Fury’s Backup Plan Proposal as Joshua Fight Remains Uncertain

Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, Sergey Lapin, has rejected Tyson Fury’s attempt to arrange a third fight with the Ukrainian heavyweight, insisting that Usyk will not be treated as a replacement option if Fury’s proposed bout with Anthony Joshua falls through.

Fury turned his attention to Usyk after claiming that negotiations for his long-awaited fight with Joshua had broken down. The British heavyweight said he was now looking for another opponent and challenged Usyk to meet him in November.                                                                                                                

                                    

However, Usyk’s camp quickly dismissed the proposal. Lapin told Sky Sports News that “Usyk is not Tyson’s back-up plan”, adding that any serious attempt to arrange another fight would need to be supported by a concrete offer rather than public comments.

The latest development comes as uncertainty continues to surround the proposed Fury-Joshua showdown. Both fighters have signed individual contracts, but negotiations have reportedly stalled over the location of the event. Joshua’s camp prefers a UK venue, while New York has emerged as another option.

Fury has publicly blamed Joshua for the situation and suggested that his fellow Briton does not want to proceed with the fight. He subsequently called on Usyk to renew their rivalry, saying he was ready to face the Ukrainian in November.

A third meeting would be a major boxing attraction, but Usyk’s team has previously indicated that another fight with Fury is not currently a priority. Usyk defeated Fury twice in 2024, winning both bouts by decision.

Usyk has since moved away from the undisputed heavyweight championship picture after vacating his world titles, but the undefeated fighter has indicated that he still intends to have another major bout before eventually ending his career.

For now, Fury’s immediate future remains uncertain. His proposed fight with Joshua has not been formally abandoned by all parties, while Usyk’s camp has made it clear that any potential trilogy would require serious negotiations rather than simply stepping in as a backup opponent.

The situation leaves boxing fans waiting to see whether Fury and Joshua can resolve their differences or whether Fury will ultimately have to find another opponent for his next fight.