Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk reopen talks over fight in heavyweight tournament
Tyson Fury's promoter has confirmed fresh talks have taken place over a potential undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk in December.
The 'Gypsy King' looked set to get his huge opportunity to become undisputed champion last month with a fight close to reality, but talks collapsed after the pair made differing demands. Since then the WBC champion has yet to confirm his plans, with reports indicating he could fight either Zhilei Zhang or Andy Ruiz Jr in July at Wembley Stadium to keep busy.
Both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder confirmed they have entered talks over a four-man heavyweight tournament in Saudi Arabia with Fury and Usyk also involved, but the undefeated star denied he had any involvement on social media. However his promoter Bob Arum has now claimed there has been communication with the Middle East country.
“Yes. That is correct," Arum responded in an interview with Ringside Reporter when asked if talks were back underway for Fury to face Usyk. "I have talked to a representative of Skills Challenge, who put on these boxing events in Saudi Arabia. We know these people, we worked for them in connection with the Jake Paul and Tommy Fury fight, so we know who the players are and we’ve had some very interesting talks with them.”
Fury initially denied the rumours, but he could indeed now step into the ring before being thrust into an immediate title challenge from Joshua or Wilder if he wins the fight. Both the British star and the Ukrainian were previously involved in talks with Saudi Arabia, but were unable to agree separate deals to stage the event despite lucrative offers.
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It is expected the pair will still both take to the ring this summer, with Usyk potentially defending his unified titles against British contender Daniel Dubois. Fury angrily blamed his rival for the previous fight collapse, having failed to get him to agree to his public demand of no rematch clause.
Talks between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk appear to be back on (Top Rank via Getty Images)Who wins if the pair fight - Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know in the comments section below
However despite many blaming the fighters, Fury's father John has suggested that it is a Saudi Arabia offer that derailed the fight in April. He said: “Usyk is just some overrated cruiserweight and Tyson offered him his biggest-ever payday, to fight at Wembley. His biggest ever payday by far, and what happened? He got tempted by Saudi money, which they thought would turn all the blame on Tyson and the Furys, and they opted for the Saudi money.
“Whatever he was making, he was making a fortune, it was in the millions, well into the millions, but all of a sudden the Saudis come with this trough full of dollars, forty, fifty, seventy million, they’re in it for the money. He can beat Usyk with one hand, and I will stick my neck out and say that in front of any company.”
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