Journalist Gareth A Davies has reacted to the collapse in talks for an undisputed heavyweight world title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Fans received the crushing news last week that the historic four belt unification would not be taking place on April 29th, despite months of negotiations between the two teams.
Speaking to IFL TV, Davies explained that despite public opinion appearing to be against Fury, it was actually Usyk who withdrew from the talks.
“We know who pulled the plug, it’s public record. Egis Klimas said early in the morning that Usyk was pulling out, Alex Krassyuk said as much in the afternoon after he and Frank Warren had been live on Talksport.”
“The rematch clause was a sticking point. Usyk wanted a rematch clause, as he had accepted 70/30. In the end, you need both sides too agree and Usyk wasn’t happy with the deal being offered to him.”
“We are where we are, it’s very disappointing but they’ll all move on now.”
With the undisputed clash dead in the water for now, three belt champion Usyk is now expected to look to fulfil his mandatory obligations, potentially 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, reports emerged over the weekend that Queensberry stablemate Joe Joyce is the frontrunner for a summer showdown, provided he gets through his fight with Zhilei Zhang at the CopperBox Arena in just over two weeks’ time.