Oleksandr Usyk's manager dismisses Tyson Fury's offer to be 'backup plan' for Anthony Joshua fight amid doubt over heavyweight clash

Oleksandr Usyk's manager has dismissed Tyson Fury's call for a third fight with the Ukrainian amid continued doubt over an all-British heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua. <p>With protracted negotiations over a long-awaited Fury-Joshua bout being held up by a dispute over where the fight would take place, Fury took to social media on Monday to say he was looking for a new opponent.</p><p>Fury said he wants a third fight with Usyk, who became undisputed heavyweight champion as he beat Fury twice on points in 2024.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing">Latest boxing headlines, reports, highlights and interviews</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13491463/boxing-2026-fight-schedule-and-latest-results-tyson-fury-oleksandr-usyk-katie-taylor-and-more">Boxing in 2026: Key dates, results and upcoming schedule</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream boxing and more with no contract</a></strong></li></ul><p>Responding to Fury's comments in a statement given to <em>Sky Sports News</em> on Monday evening, Usyk's manager Sergey Lapin said: "Usyk is not Tyson's backup plan.</p><widget id="1"></widget><p>"If Fury needs an opponent, he should visit the <a…