The collapse in negotiations for an undisputed heavyweight world title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk left a bitter taste in the mouths of boxing fans earlier this year.
Despite months of negotiations and numerous assurances the legacy defining clash would indeed go ahead, issues regarding purse splits and potential rematch clauses proved to be too much to overcome.
However, Fury has teased fans once more this week regarding a fight with Usyk, stating at a recent media event captured by Boxing Social, that it’s “got to happen” in 2023.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on with Saudi Arabia and all these massive amounts of money being talked about.
I just think the temptation of making 100 million or 75 million down the line, rather than doing it now, got the better of him [Usyk].
The fight’s got to happen this year. I think it’s an easy, straight forward job really.
I’d hit him, he’d hit the floor and then I’d go and hit London city centre!”
Skills Challenge Entertainment have made no secret of their plans to stage Fury vs Usyk on the same night as Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder, in what would be an unprecedented night for the sport.
It remains unclear whether Fury, or any of the other three heavyweights for that matter, will have an interim fight over the summer.
‘The Gypsy King’ has been linked to bouts with Zhilei Zhang, Andy Ruiz Jr and even former UFC star Francis Ngannou following the collapse in talks to face Usyk.
Usyk has been ordered to face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, with purse bids expected to take place in the coming weeks.