Carl Froch recently branded Tyson Fury ‘a walking contradiction’ in terms of fight talks, and promoter Eddie Hearn is inclined to agree.
The subject of Fury’s negotiating style has been a hot topic ever since he threatened to collapse progress for an undisputed heavyweight championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk by demanding his fellow champion only take 30% of the purse.
To the surprise of many, Usyk accepted.
In a video for Froch On Fighting recently, the four-time world champion highlighted Fury changing his mind on his fighting financial demands as a contradiction.
“Remember Tyson Fury on the build up to the AJ fight, he was saying that he’ll fight AJ for free and give the money to charity. And now all of a sudden the Usyk fight’s happening and he’s demanding 70/30 – a real lion’s share of the purse.”
I think to myself he can be a walking contradiction at times, and it’s a bit of a nightmare really cause you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
Hearn, who promoted Froch during his successful pro campaign, agrees. He told Pro Boxing Fans that Fury does indeed present a paradox.
He went on to say that the 70/30 demand from ‘The Gypsy King’ wasn’t ever expected to be accepted, and that Usyk deserved all the credit should the fight get over the line.
“Yeah, he is a walking contradiction. If he’s got 70/30 he’s done well, but he’s only got 70/30 because of the man that Oleksandr Usyk is. Most fighters would go ‘f**k off, you’re taking the piss.’ But Usyk says ‘if that’s what I gotta take, that’s what I gotta take.”
“You have to understand, Tyson Fury never in a million years thought Oleksandr Usyk would take 70/30, but when he did, it probably made him accept the fight, so you have to give a lot of credit to Usyk.”
As for the split, the Ukrainian’s team have been clear that it only applies to April 29 at Wembley Stadium, and any change of date will see them demand 50/50.
The latest news is not good, with talks reportedly breaking down and other fights being pursued.