EXCLUSIVE: Frank Warren claims Tyson Fury launching insults at Oleksandr Usyk during explosive press conference was due to his 'frustration' at delays to undisputed showdown

Frank Warren labelled his fighter Tyson Fury 'frustrated' over delays from Oleksandr Usyk's team, before the pair finally confirmed their undisputed heavyweight championship fight on Thursday evening. 

The Gypsy King will meet the Ukrainian fighter on February 17 next year after initially switching their date from December 23 following Fury's need for additional recovery time, in the wake of meeting Francis Ngannou in October. 

The MMA star proved a difficult challenge for the lineal heavyweight champion in Riyadh, with their clash going the distance, but Fury eventually won the contest via split decision. 

February's fight - dubbed 'Ring of Fire' - will be the culmination of years of negotiations between the two teams in a bid to confirm the clash between the two champions. 

And Warren admitted exclusively to Mail Sport that the frequent delays to the contest may have fired up Fury during his press conference and face off appearance. 

'Look the last time we signed for it last year, it was them who  pulled out,' Warren said in response to Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk's claim that he wouldn't believe the fight would go ahead 'until the bell for round one'. 

'Tyson's very frustrated. I think that frustration boiled over at the press conference in as much as, this has been a real irritant, everyone saying "why isn't this going on". 

'We knew what the real truth was behind the scenes, fact is - it's on. 

'Tyson will be there on the 17th, and I'm quite sure Oleksandr will be there too, and I think we're going to get something a little bit special.'

The Morecambe-based fighter cut a disruptive figure in central London as he called his comparatively low-key opponent a gamut of names from 'sausage' to 'rabbit' to 'little man' and 'p**** with an earring'. 

But the 25-year-old later told Mail Sport that he doesn't 'care about unifying the division' and that he's 'already done it.'

'I did it when I beat Kitschko. I won all the belts,' Fury stressed. 

But Warren stated that Fury was still motivated - even though it's not a question of his 'legacy'.  

'He believes he's the best and he wants to be the best, and that's it,' Warren continued. 'I suppose that is legacy, in itself, but he's not worried about the label.

'I think it's the fact that he can walk round and feel himself he's accomplished it (is what's important). 

'For me, I think it's brilliant for his kids, that their dad's the undisputed champion, for his family, and I think for me, his promoter for a long time, I'll be as proud as punch that I was with him when he did it. 

'And I hope he does do it. We'll find out on the 17th.'

The promoter also shut down claims made by rival promoter Eddie Hearn, who wondered if Fury wouldn't retire after his bout with Ngannou. 

'What would he know what Tyson Fury's going to do?' Warren continued. 'With the greatest respect to Eddie, he says a lot of things, he says - maybe one of his Vagina Monologues, I don't know - from my perspective, the fight is on, he doesn't want to retire. 

'If he wants to retire after the fight, it doesn't matter what anybody thinks, he'll do it, if doesn't he won't. He's the guy who's getting in the ring and it's his choice. 

'Me, I know how much he lives and loves boxing. What really is a problem for him is  all the nonsense that goes on outside, people who say they want fights and won't sign for them. 

'But it's all signed now.'