Tyson Fury has blasted the WBO for choosing Oleksandr Usyk to replace him in their heavyweight rankings - as he labelled the Ukrainian fighter a 'cruiserweight bum'.
Usyk is the WBO's mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua after the former Olympic champion won back his four world titles by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch last month.
Fury is preparing for his own huge rematch against WBC champion Deontay Wilder on February 22 in a bid to win back one of the belts he gave up when he took a break from boxing due to mental health problems.
'The Gypsy King' has laid into the WBO for removing him from their rankings during his time out from the sport, with the governing body having installed Usyk in top spot after his heavyweight debut victory over Chazz Witherspoon in October last year.
Fury became embroiled in a jokey Twitter row with WBO president Paco Valcarcel over his suggestion the 31-year-old should fight up-and-coming Uzbekistan heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov next.
"Maybe if you hadn’t removed me from No 1 ranked WBO! And put some cruiserweight bum with one fight at heavyweight then you could have a say!" Fury tweeted, along with a 'crying laughing' emoji.
Valcarcel responded, saying: "Champ we respect you a lot, but you aren't available... that's the reason WBO removed you from the rankings. By the way champ, good luck."
If Fury beats Wilder, an all-British super fight between 'The Gypsy King' and Joshua been touted, which could see the heavyweight division unified.
However, before that can happen Joshua must beat his mandatory challengers, including Usyk and the IBF's top-ranked fighter, Kubrat Pulev.
Usyk was awarded the mandatory position after just one heavyweight fight ahead of the likes of Dillian Whyte, due to the Ukrainian's status as undisputed cruiserweight champion.
According to the Daily Mail , Usyk is reported to be in talks over a fight against Dereck Chisora, before taking on Joshua if he wins that match-up.
