Tyson Fury’s brother, Shane, has said that the heavyweight champion needs to either stay busy with the best on the scene or hang up the gloves.
The four belt clash has been in negotiations officially since December of 2022, with a winner being crowned the first undisputed champ in the division since Lennox Lewis.
A date at Wembley is pencilled in for April 29, but no contracts have been signed – and many fans feel the fight is slipping away.
Shane, a key component of ‘The Gypsy King’s camp, told IFL TV that his brother could be tempted into retirement if the Usyk fight isn’t agreed.
“It all depends where Tyson is. Tyson’s mind at the minute is make this fight or retire, and that’s the top and end of it. So they either make the fight or it is what it is. We’re not thinking about Joshua or anyone.
But is it a waste of time? Definitely not, there’s a lot of money at stake [isn’t there.]”
He went on to speak more generally about the division, claiming that there were other big fights out there that could keep him going, but being active was key.
“For me, he either needs to keep busy and keep fighting, and try and fight the best while he can, or walk away. Because [an inactive] fighter, the odds even up. And he’s been inactive. He’s not had many fights has he?
I’d like to see him fight, for example, Andy Ruiz. Joe Joyce. All them fighters … Tyson’s legacy – let him fight the best while he can. But the best need to fetch something to the table.”
The negotiations have taken a negative turn in recent times, with many comments about purse splits from Fury’s camp seemingly being the current sticking point.
Team Usyk have claimed that Fury isn’t as courageous as Anthony Joshua – who fought the Ukrainian twice – and insinuated the he may be swerving their man.