Tyson Fury’s father told him to ‘stick to his guns’ whilst negotiating an undisputed heavyweight championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk – and it appears to have worked.
Whilst not signed and sealed just yet, things are once again looking positive for the two champions to clash on April 29.
The view wasn’t so optimistic last week, though, when a dispute about the purse split threatened to end talks early. Fury sent a video to Usyk with an ultimatum – take 30% or move on.
It was something his father, John, had recommended he do. He told Boxing Social the advice he gave.
“Whoever he fights in the world is not going to make a quarter what he’s been offered, so, you know, it makes good sense for him to take what’s on the table, or else Tyson won’t do it, because he knows his worth, and I know his worth.
I don’t get involved in his business, but I do give him a little bit of advice, and I say, look, stick to your guns, you’re the WBC champ, you’re the A-side, you’re the one putting 95,000 people on seats in the cold weather, and 60,000 in freezing cold conditions.”
“What does Usyk bring? If he fights Dubois or Joe Joyce, what’s he going to get paid for that? We’re seeing nothing compared to what he can make with Tyson, because 30% is a lot of money, when there’s a large amount the table.”
Fortunately for fans, Usyk – who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles after beating Anthony Joshua – accepted.
Fury followed up with a dispute about the contracted rematch clause and more doubts followed, however now both he and his promoter, Frank Warren, have confirmed the fight is as good as signed.
Should that be the case, his father believes he wins at a canter.
“He’s leagues ahead of them, he knows it.
Usyk is a walk in the park, he could come back after 2 years and beat Usyk, he’s been in one of the most dangerous fights in the world with Deontay Wilder, so Usyk poses no threat at all.”
The targeted date for the undisputed fight is April 29 at Wembley Stadium.