An undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk looks to be moving further away from Wembley Stadium.
Those involved in the negotiations have been keen to keep the London venue included as a possibility alongside a site in the Middle East, and Fury’s side have even said they’d prefer to have it on home turf.
The enticing financial reward that the likes of Saudi Arabia offer, however, might persuade even the most patriotic man to jump on a flight to stage the fight there.
Despite there still being no official announcement, the latest from Fury reverses on his previous sentiments and points more towards a trip to the Kingdom. He explained the thinking behind it to TalkSPORT.
“I’m a prizefighter. I go where the money is. If it’s in Saudi Arabia, if it’s in Hong Kong, or if it’s in Derek’s [Chisora] back garden. I go for the money. That’s what I do. I go in, get my brains beat out of me for a few quid. And it becomes obsessive, the old prize fighting game, and that’s why it’s difficult to walk away.
Taken at face value, the most money will undoubtedly be coming from that direction, with anything in the UK unlikely to be able to match the millions despite likely being a super quick sell out.
Fury’s US promoter, Bob Arum, is confident that the offer from the Middle East will come good.
“There was a movie – Jerry Maguire. ‘Show me the money.’ When we see the money then we’ll go where it is. Now, if the money isn’t really there – which I don’t believe, I really believe it is – then we’ll make our own money in Wembley.
But, right now, it looks like we’re going to make a deal in the Mid East where the money is for the fight. Because the one thing with boxers, with every athlete, they have limited life span as far as their career.”
At this stage most fans will just want the fight announced and to see the two champions enter the ring, but it is a blow to UK punters who would’ve filled Wembley.