Eddie Hearn has weighed in on the collapse in talks for an undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, and believes Fury is well aware how difficult a challenge the Ukrainian would have posed.
Before negotiations fell through, Fury repeatedly stated Usyk was an easy fight for him and often referred to him as a “middleweight.”
However, when Hearn appeared on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani this week, he explained that Fury knew full well how difficult a fight against Usyk would be, and that was part of the reason the historic clash isn’t happening.
“Ultimately, if Tyson Fury wanted to become undisputed, and if he really truly believed it was an easy fight, like he said, then he would have accepted that fight, no doubt.
But he knows how good Oleksandr Usyk is, and he was only prepared to do it on his terms.”
Although Usyk’s team admitted it was them who withdrew from the talks, some boxing fans have laid blame at the door of Fury for the four belt unification not happening.
With the undisputed fight dead in the water for now, three belt champion Usyk is now expected to look to fulfil his mandatory obligations, starting with WBA Regular belt holder Daniel Dubois.
However, he has also been linked to a blockbuster bout with former world champion Deontay Wilder, with representatives in the Middle East reportedly interested in staging the contest.
Although it would be a much more lucrative fight than one of his mandatory defences, Usyk may have to relinquish at least one of his cherished world titles if he decides to fight Wilder next.
As for Fury, he may well look to a summer blockbuster against long-term rival, Anthony Joshua.