Promoter Frank Warren has admitted that if negotiations for Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed bout aren’t tied up ‘very soon’ he’ll be exploring other options for his fighter.
The talks were sold to fans as without obstacle, but an apparent dispute about purse splits now that the fight is pencilled in for Wembley Stadium has sent things back to square one.
It’s believed that the Ukrainian, who is unified champion at heavyweight after conquering the cruiserweight division in similar fashion, wants a 50/50 split for the legacy defining fight.
Fury’s team, however, have said openly half and half terms won’t be the case should the fight land in his home country.
Seconds Out asked Warren if he had any news.
“Unfortunately not. And I know I keep saying every time I’ll know in a couple of days – that’s because we hope to get it done in a couple of days.
But the clock’s running down on the 29th of April and I think we’re going to have to, very soon, either draw a line under it, look at something else, or we agree the terms, and that’s where we’re at at the moment.”
The promoter assured fans that all parties were still trying, but was realistic about the fact that they may not see Fury fight to become the division’s sole champion.
“I don’t want to get into it. I know people obviously want to know what’s happening, and we want to get it sorted, we want to get the tickets on sale … But it’s worked out a little bit more difficult than anticipated.
I’m hoping we get there, but we’ll see. And we haven’t got a lot of time left. I’d be very surprised if, by early next week, we’re not making some sort of announcement.”
Warren politely refused to reveal if he had an alternative opponent ready should the talks with Team Usyk go south.