Tony Bellew believes Tyson Fury is ‘an increasing problem’ in fight negotiations, fresh off the back of the failed attempts to make an undisputed contest with Oleksandr Usyk.
The two heavyweight champions were deep in talks to fight for all four bets, but things fell apart amidst disputes over rematch financials.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Bellew believes the Ukrainian did everything and more.
“With Tyson and Oleksandr, I don’t know. You’re asking me a question so I’ll answer it. Usyk took the short end of the stick, tried to do everything he possibly could, bent over backwards to make it happen and it still didn’t happen, so I don’t know.”
“I think the man taking 30% when you’re coming to the ring with three out of the four belts in a division is bending over backwards to make things happen.”
All of Bellew’s praise in terms of being accommodating for a fight was reserved for Usyk, with none going to his countryman. The former world champion turned pundit said that Fury is the common denominator in awkward heavyweight negotiations.
“Tyson Fury – the number one heavyweight in the world by the way – but it’s an increasing problem. Everyone who wants to fight him has problems. Whether it’s Dillian Whyte, whether it’s Anthony Joshua, whether it’s Oleksandr Usyk, everyone has problems. Why?”
“Use your platform to make our sport better. Don’t use your platform to drag our sport down further than it already is … So many people in your ear and you believe the hype. You believe the nonsense. You believe your own hype.”
The hope of a heavyweight undisputed bout is still flickering, with Saudi Arabia reportedly still interested in the contest and willing to stage it in the winter.
Eyes now turn to both men, who must keep their belts until then before re-entering negotiations.