Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title is getting closer. The event on May 18, which will be live on TNT Sports Box Office, has been called the “fight of a lifetime” by Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk, who has also revealed his hopes that Fury does not suffer another injury that forces him out of the contest as he did in February.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off during the Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Press Conference at Outernet London on November 16, 2023 in London, England.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk has dismissed suggestions that the heavyweight champion is a “cry 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢” and says he is ready for the “fight of a lifetime” against Tyson Fury.

Usyk and Fury are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office, in an undisputed title showdown.

The fight has been a long time in the making and was initially booked for February before Fury pulled out due to a cut he suffered in training.Krassyuk has said he is hopeful that this time there will nothing preventing Fury from stepping into the ring.

“I do hope that Tyson will wear his helmet, his protective gear this time and not injure his eyebrow or whatever he could injure, and that this time the fight on May 18 will go the way it should have gone in December and then in February,” Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

“It’s the fight of a lifetime. The whole world is waiting for it.

“Let’s pray for Tyson and expect that the guy enters the ring.”

Usyk’s previous fight saw him beat Daniel Dubois in August.There was a controversial moment in the fight when Usyk was dropped to the canvas but was given time to recover as the shot from Dubois was called a low blow.Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has said Usyk has a history of “complaining and moaning” when caught in the body and “’crybabies’ to the ref”.

But Krassyuk hit back at that suggestion.”When a man gets hit in the area below the naval, he normally suffers,” he added. “That’s what happened in the Dubois fight… and it’s normal not just for Usyk but for every man to suffer from low blows. That’s the reason why these blows are illegal in boxing and forbidden, being strictly supervised by the referee.

Fury predicts post-fight pleasantries with UsykJoshua backs ‘phenomenal’ Usyk to beat Fury”How can you call Usyk a cry 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢? The man gained his title in Poland and has never defended it in his homeland.

“He has always gone to the backyard of his opponents and he has destroyed his opponents.

“No, he is not a cry 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢. He is the big man in boxing and he is waiting patiently to step into the ring. It’s going to be a great festival for him.”

Usyk holds a 21-0 professional record while Fury is also undefeated at 34-0-1.

Krassyuk added: “I can tell you about the secret weapon of Usyk’s, the only problem is it’s not a secret.

“His weapon is his mind, his heart, his experience and boxing s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s. And the main thing about him that is different from Tyson Fury is his discipline. That is what makes him great and it is his toughest weapon.”