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Promoter Frank Warren has admitted that negotiations for the highly anticipated heavyweight unification bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are still ongoing. Despite months of talks, the deal to put together the fight for all four heavyweight belts has become problematic after it was confirmed that the Middle East would not be hosting the event. As a result, the fighters must share revenue from more tangible sources, such as the gate and pay-per-view sales, which is likely to be lower than what they would have earned in the Middle East.
Representatives for both fighters have gone back and forth with each other in the press concerning the financial split. Fury’s American promoter, Bob Arum, has argued that Fury deserves the “lion’s share” since he would be driving most of the revenue. Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, has insisted that his side would not entertain a split less than 50-50.
Warren, who acts as Fury’s UK promoter, offered an update of the negotiations, making it clear that there was still plenty of uncertainty involved between the parties. He emphasized that both boxers need to agree to make the fight happen.
“At the end of the day, I can’t force Usyk to fight, I can’t force Tyson to fight. That’s their choice. They’re the guys getting in the ring and at the end of the day we’re either going to make this happen or not," Warren said.
Warren also pointed out that the working date is April 29, and that he expects some sort of resolution by the end of the week. He suggested that the promoters were not going to venture into unrealistic territory regarding the financial split.
“I have a pot and out of that pot I can only pay what’s in it and if it’s not enough money the fight won’t happen. At the end of the day we’re running a business,” Warren said.
Despite the challenges, Warren and his colleagues are working hard to get what would be a history-making event over the line. The bout would be the first time all four heavyweight belts would be contested in a single fight.
“I’m hoping we get it done because no one wants to see this fight more than me,” Warren said. “It’d be a history-making thing. It’ll be great. I believe Tyson wins the fight and that’s his legacy. I want it. But I can’t force people into a situation unless they’re comfortable. And if they’re not comfortable they won’t be mentally right for the fight, and I won’t do that either.”
Despite the uncertainties surrounding the negotiations, the prospect of Fury and Usyk facing off for the undisputed heavyweight championship has generated tremendous excitement among boxing fans worldwide. If the two sides can come to an agreement, the fight would undoubtedly be one of the most highly anticipated bouts in recent years, pitting two of the best heavyweight boxers in the world against each other in a battle for boxing supremacy. As negotiations continue, fans will be eagerly waiting to see if the two fighters will finally face off in the ring.