Frank Warren has said that the rematch clause in the negotiations for a Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk fight shouldn’t be an issue, and has urged the Ukrainian’s team to continue talks.
The promoter spoke to TalkSPORT following news that Usyk had ordered his people to pull the plug on negotiations due to ‘unacceptable’ demands and ‘disrespect.’
Warren said that all current issues are surrounding the rematch clause and its proposed finances, believing that the money Usyk wanted for a second fight wasn’t realistic, and that he would be getting the highest possible payday no matter the split.
The Queensberry promoter said that he was willing to offer Usyk the same rematch terms as he had with Anthony Joshua – previously reported to be 50/50 when Usyk won their first fight – but that what the other side had come back with was unrealistic.
He also pointed out that so much focus shouldn’t be placed on this part of the deal because only the first fight would be for all four belts and therefore undisputed. It’s expected that each of the governing bodies will call their mandatories in the aftermath, leading belts to be dropped and go vacant.
Things were looking up towards the end of the interview as Alex Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, joined Warren live and the pair agreed to talk off-air as to what could be done.
Krassyuk did, however, allude to other issues for Usyk, including something about the million pound donation he asked Fury to make to the people of Ukraine.
Unfortunately for fans, this won’t be the first time that things have been in serious jeopardy before more negotiations were promised – the only difference now being that the fight date of April 29 is almost comically close.