The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been put on hold indefinitely, with Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas revealing that no matter how much the Ukrainian compromised, he was pushed for more. The fight, which had been set for April 29th at Wembley Stadium, was supposed to crown boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight world champion in the four-belt era.
Klimas revealed that the two camps could not agree on other material terms critical to the deal beyond the previously agreed upon purse split. Fury had reportedly agreed to a 70-30 split in favour of himself, but Usyk’s team were apparently not happy with the other conditions of the fight. With talks now having broken down, Usyk is likely to return in June/July for a mandatory fight, potentially against Daniel Dubois.
According to Usyk’s manager, the Ukrainian was keen to come to the table and compromise, but ‘he was pushed for more’ and it became clear that the two camps could not agree on ‘other material terms critical to the deal beyond the split’.
Despite the collapse of the deal, the fight could still be facilitated, but it is unclear just now as to how two camps would agree to come together. Should they ever come to terms, it would crown boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight world champion in the four-belt era.
As for Tyson Fury, he has not fought since his stoppage victory over Dereck Chisora last December, and with his training camp now shut down, it is unclear who he will face next.
With plenty of options on the table, it is yet to be revealed what Fury and Usyk will opt for next and how their respective camps will handle the situation, going forward.
Until then, boxing fans can only keep their fingers crossed for an epic bout between the two heavyweights in the future.