Oleksandr Usyk recently shut down Frank Warren’s attempts to discuss the failed Tyson Fury talks in favour of focusing on his fight with Daniel Dubois.
The two heavyweight champions – Fury the WBC and Usyk the WBO, WBA and IBF – were widely expected to face off early this year. Neither man had an obligation to fight anybody else and the path was seemingly clear.
Disputes about money, locations and rematches caused the very public negotiations to crumble, and the Ukrainian now finds himself having to defend against his first mandatory challenger instead.
During a recent sit down to hype the fight, Warren – who also promotes Dubois – took exception to the mention of Fury ‘running away for almost one year.’
“It’s crap. Smoke and mirrors. Let’s deal with facts. Did we make you an offer?”
Usyk told Warren not to mention another opponent when Dubois was across the table from him, but his own promoter, Alex Krassyuk, responded.
He confirmed that Fury’s side had made an offer, but insisted it was more complicated than that.
“It’s complicated to answer you this question because I’ve conducted the negotiations with George. I wish George was in your place.”
Warren said he would donate one million pounds to charity should the other side produce a written offer they had made for a fight with Fury. The debate moved back to Usyk’s defence against Dubois, which takes place on August 26.
Should he come through it with the belts still in hand, the negotiations with Fury are expected to restart. Whether or not a fight can be made this time remains to be seen.