Tyson Fury has spoken out about the collapse in negotiations for an undisputed heavyweight world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year, and admits he does not believe the skilful Ukrainian is afraid of stepping in the ring with him.
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, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of boxing fans all across the world.
Speaking at a public event in Tenerife with Boxing Social in attendance this week, ‘The Gypsy King’ said, as far as he could see, the historic clash did not take place due to financial reasons – not because anyone was ‘scared’.
“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].”
“Prize fighters, they fight for a few quid. I don’t think anybody is scared of anybody in a boxing match.”
There is fresh hope that the fight could take place later this year, with talks currently underway for Fury and Usyk to lock horns in Saudi Arabia.
Skills Challenge Entertainment have made no secret of their hope to stage Fury vs Usyk on the same night as Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder.
It remains unclear at this stage whether or not Fury will have an interim fight over the summer.
‘The Gypsy King’ has been linked to bouts with Andy Ruiz Jr, Zhilei Zhang and even former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou following the collapse in talks for an undisputed fight.
Usyk has been ordered to face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, with purse bids scheduled to take place on May 25th.