Oleksandr Usyk has called Tyson Fury out on his insistence that there be no rematch clause, claiming it was the Brit that had first put it into the contract.
When Usyk accepted a 70/30 split in favour of Fury, it appeared all barriers were cleared and there would be a fight between them for all four-belts in the heavyweight division.
Promoter Frank Warren then confirmed that contracts were being finalised and would seek signatures from all parties soon for an April 29 date at Wembley Stadium.
Fury threw a spanner in the works in the form of a rematch clause – or, rather, requesting there not be one – today. He said that the fight should be one and done, and that Usyk was being a ‘b**ch.’
In response, Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, said that it was yet another attempt from Fury to avoid the fight. He went on to express doubts that the fight happens and finished with ‘we don’t trust him.’
Usyk himself has now responded to Fury’s demand, telling him to fight or vacate.
“Greedy belly. Rematch clause came from your side, not mine. Stop Whining and ducking be a man and sign the contract or vacate the belt I need undisputed and not to play your stupid games.”
‼️ Oleksandr Usyk fires back at Tyson Fury now demanding for their fight to have no rematch clause: "Stop whining and ducking, be a man. Ink the contact or vacate the belt."
[📽️ @Usykaa] pic.twitter.com/QAmbXETgb7
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) March 13, 2023
It appears to be deadline day for the undisputed championship, and neither side are backing down.
Usyk’s message, whilst not an official confirmation, gives the impression that he wants the contract signed as is and will not be willing to make further changes – including the removal of the rematch clause.
Fury, having had his way with the purse split, is unlikely to yield. All of the updates together mean fans could be seeing the beginning of the end of the heavyweight undisputed talks. For how long, nobody knows.