The undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk set for April 29 at Wembley in London has fallen through, according to the Ukrainian’s manager.
‘No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more,’ Egis Klimas said, reported first by Steve Kim.
There has been a long-standing war of words between the two camps, and while a date of April 29 has been discussed for a mammoth meeting, nothing had been confirmed.
Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, has insisted the fight is still going ahead on April 29 despite the comments from Usyk’s camp.
Last week, the Gypsy King stressed that the bout was definitely on, and that he had entered a social media blackout during training for the fight.
The clash between Tyson Fury (left) and Oleksandr Usyk (right) on April 29 has fallen through
Fury and Usyk’s camps have been at loggerheads throughout the negotiation process
But the Ukrainian’s manager and long-time advisor Klimas issued a firm take-it-or-leave-it declaration to Fury’s team, and that if the fight does not happen, Usyk will pivot to a mandatory defense of his WBA title against Daniel Dubois.
Klimas told SNAC: ‘If this fight is going to happen, only April 29th. Or it’s just going to be cancelled, and we’ll go with the mandatory.’
Fury and Usyk did reach an agreement on the 70/30 purse split in favour of the Gypsy King but other material terms could not be decided on, according to ESPN.
The report claims the 35-year-old Ukrainian has stopped his training camp. WBA president Gilberto Mendoza previously set a deadline of April 1 for the fight to be made so the teams are running out of time for an agreement, if one can be struck.
Warren appeared live on talkSPORT shortly before midday on Wednesday in light of the development.
An incensed Warren revealed a late dispute over a potential rematch clause has emerged, though ensuring there is no reason the hurdle can’t be overcome, stating: ‘I convinced Tyson to take the rematch. Then we got into how the money will be split in the rematch. The rematch has become a sideshow. Why can’t this be overcome if Usyk wants the fight?’
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk then joined the call, admitting it was Usyk who has pulled the plug on negotiations and revealing the Ukrainian ‘can’t stand it anymore’. He also insisted Fury was not willing to pay £1million of his purse to Ukraine, a condition set by Usyk.
However, Warren and Krassyuk then agreed to speak on the phone immediately, with Warren in particular hopeful a full announcement can be made as soon as today
Fans have been desperate to see the two heavyweights meet in what would be an enormous unification bout.
Usyk holds the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles having defended them most recently against Anthony Joshua and Fury is the WBC champion.
The WBA is likely to order Usyk to fight Dubois if no resolution can be found between both camps in the near future.
It had looked as though a bout between the pair was edging ever closer to an announcement.
Fans on social media were excited by Warren teasing: ‘Arsenal are eight points clear, and even bigger news to come!’
Usyk’s team claimed Fury’s credibility was ‘shot to pieces’ after the latest setback to talks
Fury left fans frustrated by adding another obstacle to negotiations with Usyk recently
Many interpreted his message as a clear sign that the deal for Fury vs Usyk was as good as done.
But it seems that was a false dawn and fight fans will have to wait longer or put up with Usyk facing a mandatory challenger in Dubois.
Usyk and Fury traded barbs online and exchanged video messages earlier in the process. The Ukrainian said: ‘They want 50%, Usyk and all this. Tyson is being greedy.’
Fury replied: ‘From where I’m standing, Usyk, you and your team are worth 30. You either take it or you leave it. And if you don’t want it, go fight Daniel Dubois at the Copper Box [Arena in London] and get a few million dollars.
‘If you want to make some real money, come and fight ‘The Gypsy King.’ … I will say, for every day from today that you linger, mess around, I’m going to deduct 1% from the 30%. … Sign the contract, get your money and get f—ed up. … Tick, tock.’
Usyk hit back: ‘Hey greedy belly, I accept your offer, 70/30 split to fight on April 29 at Wembley.
Frank Warren teased an announcement on Twitter but it seems that was premature
Fury defeated Derek Chisora last December but does not seem in a rush to return
‘But you will promise to donate 1 million pounds to Ukraine immediately after the fight. And for every day of your delay, you will pay 1 % from your purse to Ukrainian people. Deal?’
Neither Usyk or Fury have ever been defeated in their professional boxing careers and even though the size difference would be stark, there would be a fascination surrounding their bout.
The British fighter was last in action last December, beating Derek Chisora by stoppage.
Usyk overcame Joshua for the second time last August to tee up what would be the first unification bout at heavyweight in the four-belt era.
