Oleksandr Usyk wants to make it clear that he’s about legacy over currency as the anticipation for his fight with Tyson Fury builds.
It’s something that he believes Fury isn’t aligned with, as highlighted in his latest call out. The pair have been moving ever closer to an undisputed fight that will crown a sole heavyweight champion for the first time since Lennox Lewis laced up.
Despite no official announcement, the Ukrainian – who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts to Fury’s WBC – has ramped up his correspondence with ‘The Gypsy King’, or ‘belly’ as he commonly refers to him.
He took to Twitter to say that he would take the fight for nothing.
“Fury, you talk about greatness in Boxing. At the same time you say “give me a lot of money.”
Greatness in Boxing is not determined by money, greatness comes from a victorious path. You say that I avoid you, although I never have, and in fact I’ve even come to you. I’m ready to box with you even without any prize money!”
Despite the offer, the pair are set to earn a healthy payday, especially if the fight lands in the Middle East as expected. Saudi Arabia is said to have offered Usyk a deal already, and are expected to come through with similar for Fury.
Whilst Wembley Stadium hasn’t been taken off the table, it’s been made clear that if the terms Saudi offer are reasonable, that’s where fans will be flying to.
Fury is yet to respond to Usyk’s latest message, although he has offered to fight for free in the past. Having said that, he’s also stated that he’s only in the sport for big money fights from now on, so who know where he’ll land on this offer.