The heavyweight champion proposed the pair square off in a boxing match with MMA gloves, which the UFC heavyweight champion was very much game for.
Although the odds would not be stacked in favor of Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC), who will be stepping into Fury’s world, “The Gypsy King” did not downplay Ngannou’s skills at all.
“He’s definitely a machine, that’s for sure,” Fury told ESPN. “He’s definitely a good puncher and all that, and let’s face it: It’s not a wrestling match, or no grabbing or anything. It’s just a standup punching battle with small gloves on. …
“Dillian Whyte’s a much harder challenge than Francis Ngannou at this moment for me, so I only focus on Dillian Whyte for the next fight.”
Fury has to get past Whyte in a fight expected to be announced soon. Ngannou is coming off his first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 and is expected to be sidelined for the majority of the year after he undergoes knee surgery in March.
In order for Ngannou to get his desired wish to box Fury, the UFC would have to grant him permission. Ngannou currently is contractually tied and his deal extended for an additional fight after he retained his title against Gane.
The heavyweight champion proposed the pair square off in a boxing match with MMA gloves, which the UFC heavyweight champion was very much game for.
Although the odds would not be stacked in favor of Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC), who will be stepping into Fury’s world, “The Gypsy King” did not downplay Ngannou’s skills at all.
“He’s definitely a machine, that’s for sure,” Fury told ESPN. “He’s definitely a good puncher and all that, and let’s face it: It’s not a wrestling match, or no grabbing or anything. It’s just a standup punching battle with small gloves on. …
“Dillian Whyte’s a much harder challenge than Francis Ngannou at this moment for me, so I only focus on Dillian Whyte for the next fight.”
Fury has to get past Whyte in a fight expected to be announced soon. Ngannou is coming off his first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 and is expected to be sidelined for the majority of the year after he undergoes knee surgery in March.
In order for Ngannou to get his desired wish to box Fury, the UFC would have to grant him permission. Ngannou currently is contractually tied and his deal extended for an additional fight after he retained his title against Gane.
Good, bad, worse: Joe Smith Jr. gets it done again in workmanlike fashion.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Joe Smith Jr. isn’t destined for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The strapping light heavyweight titleholder isn’t a polished boxer, although he seems to have improved. He isn’t particularly quick or athletic. In other words, the union worker is exactly what he has been called, “a blue-collar fighter.”
And that has both worked for him in the ring and endeared him to fans, many of whom can relate to him.
Smith’s performance against late replacement Steve Geffrard on Saturday wasn’t special but it was good enough, which is all that matters. He used his not-so-secret weapons of fitness, punching power and persistence to wear down and finally stop Geffrard (18-3, 12 KOs) in the ninth round.
Just a typical work shift for Smith, who was making the first defense of his WBO 175-pound belt.
Next up for him? He’s thinking big. He wants to take on imposing fellow titleholder Artur Beterbiev or, if Canelo Alvarez decides to fight a 175-pound opponent instead one at 200 or 168, he’d jump at that opportunity for obvious reasons.
Would Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) win those fights? Probably not, although he’d have a puncher’s chance against anyone. Sullivan Barrera (2017) and beltholder Dmitry Bivol (2019) easily outpointed him. It’s difficult to imagine him doing much better against Beterbiev of Alvarez.
We know what Smith would bring to those fights, though. He’d enter the ring in fantastic shape and he’d fight his heart out, which is all we can expect of any boxer.
BAD
I’m an optimistic person.
I hold out hope that Canelo Alvarez will fight one of the five potential opponents I suggested in a previous column, David Benavidez, Gennadiy Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev.
However, also as I’ve written, the Mexican star has been driven more by collecting titles than the person across the ring from him. That allowed him to become undisputed 168-pound champ by a winning series of lackluster matchups.
Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s trainer and manager, has expressed interest in fighting cruiserweight beltholder Ilunga Makabu to add a belt in another division. Other than that, he’s been quiet about his intentions.
He said recently that he hasn’t even been in serious talks with anyone, although that’s hard to believe because the targeted fight date of May 7 is fast approaching.
I fear that Alvarez and Reynoso will choose the bigger, but limited Makabu, assuming the Congolese fighter defeats Thabiso Mchunu on Jan. 29. At the same time, There has been chatter that Charlo, a 160-pound champ, might be in the mix.
One British outlet had an interesting – and frightening – take on rumors that boxing purists might be disappointed with Alvarez’s next opponent. The outlet floated the idea that he might be targeting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, which would generate a fortune but have no resemblance to a competitive fight. Let’s hope that Alvarez has enough respect for the sport to pass on that silly notion.
Reynoso said we could get word on his protégé’s next opponent soon. Fingers crossed.
WORSE
Tyson Fury fights are good for boxing because of the energy he delivers before, during and after his bouts. And I have to think that he wants to get his 6-foot-9 body into the ring more often than he has.
The problem is that it’s easier said than done. The WBC beltholder has fought only twice in the past 2½ years, his knockout victories over Deontay Wilder in their second and third fights.
The last fight with Wilder occurred this past October, only four months ago. That followed Oleksandr Usyk’s upset over Anthony Joshua to win three of the four major heavyweight titles. Fans hope that the winner of their rematch will face Fury for the undisputed championship.
In the meantime, Fury needed an opponent. And it appeared that mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte would finally get a crack at his countryman.
Alas, that fight is stuck in the muck because Whyte has refused to accept the 80-20 purse split ordered by the WBC if the principals can’t reach an agreement and it goes to a purse bid, which Whyte has officially appealed. He reportedly wants something close to a 55-45 split.
The purse bid was pushed back to this coming Friday, meaning the parties have only a few more days to come to terms before the event becomes open to other promoters.
And if Fury and Whyte are unable to reach an agreement? Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter said his fighter will face someone else in late March. Arum threw out the names of Robert Helenius and Manuel Charr but he will have many good options.
Let’s hope things sort themselves out so we can see Fury fight in a few months.
Good, bad, worse: Joe Smith Jr. gets it done again in workmanlike fashion.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Joe Smith Jr. isn’t destined for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The strapping light heavyweight titleholder isn’t a polished boxer, although he seems to have improved. He isn’t particularly quick or athletic. In other words, the union worker is exactly what he has been called, “a blue-collar fighter.”
And that has both worked for him in the ring and endeared him to fans, many of whom can relate to him.
Smith’s performance against late replacement Steve Geffrard on Saturday wasn’t special but it was good enough, which is all that matters. He used his not-so-secret weapons of fitness, punching power and persistence to wear down and finally stop Geffrard (18-3, 12 KOs) in the ninth round.
Just a typical work shift for Smith, who was making the first defense of his WBO 175-pound belt.
Next up for him? He’s thinking big. He wants to take on imposing fellow titleholder Artur Beterbiev or, if Canelo Alvarez decides to fight a 175-pound opponent instead one at 200 or 168, he’d jump at that opportunity for obvious reasons.
Would Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) win those fights? Probably not, although he’d have a puncher’s chance against anyone. Sullivan Barrera (2017) and beltholder Dmitry Bivol (2019) easily outpointed him. It’s difficult to imagine him doing much better against Beterbiev of Alvarez.
We know what Smith would bring to those fights, though. He’d enter the ring in fantastic shape and he’d fight his heart out, which is all we can expect of any boxer.
BAD
I’m an optimistic person.
I hold out hope that Canelo Alvarez will fight one of the five potential opponents I suggested in a previous column, David Benavidez, Gennadiy Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev.
However, also as I’ve written, the Mexican star has been driven more by collecting titles than the person across the ring from him. That allowed him to become undisputed 168-pound champ by a winning series of lackluster matchups.
Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s trainer and manager, has expressed interest in fighting cruiserweight beltholder Ilunga Makabu to add a belt in another division. Other than that, he’s been quiet about his intentions.
He said recently that he hasn’t even been in serious talks with anyone, although that’s hard to believe because the targeted fight date of May 7 is fast approaching.
I fear that Alvarez and Reynoso will choose the bigger, but limited Makabu, assuming the Congolese fighter defeats Thabiso Mchunu on Jan. 29. At the same time, There has been chatter that Charlo, a 160-pound champ, might be in the mix.
One British outlet had an interesting – and frightening – take on rumors that boxing purists might be disappointed with Alvarez’s next opponent. The outlet floated the idea that he might be targeting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, which would generate a fortune but have no resemblance to a competitive fight. Let’s hope that Alvarez has enough respect for the sport to pass on that silly notion.
Reynoso said we could get word on his protégé’s next opponent soon. Fingers crossed.
WORSE
Tyson Fury fights are good for boxing because of the energy he delivers before, during and after his bouts. And I have to think that he wants to get his 6-foot-9 body into the ring more often than he has.
The problem is that it’s easier said than done. The WBC beltholder has fought only twice in the past 2½ years, his knockout victories over Deontay Wilder in their second and third fights.
The last fight with Wilder occurred this past October, only four months ago. That followed Oleksandr Usyk’s upset over Anthony Joshua to win three of the four major heavyweight titles. Fans hope that the winner of their rematch will face Fury for the undisputed championship.
In the meantime, Fury needed an opponent. And it appeared that mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte would finally get a crack at his countryman.
Alas, that fight is stuck in the muck because Whyte has refused to accept the 80-20 purse split ordered by the WBC if the principals can’t reach an agreement and it goes to a purse bid, which Whyte has officially appealed. He reportedly wants something close to a 55-45 split.
The purse bid was pushed back to this coming Friday, meaning the parties have only a few more days to come to terms before the event becomes open to other promoters.
And if Fury and Whyte are unable to reach an agreement? Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter said his fighter will face someone else in late March. Arum threw out the names of Robert Helenius and Manuel Charr but he will have many good options.
Let’s hope things sort themselves out so we can see Fury fight in a few months.
Who is next for Tyson Fury? Here are five potential opponents after his sensational KO of Deontay Wilder on Saturday.
Tyson Fury is still celebrating his knockout of Deontay Wilder in their instant classic Saturday in Las Vegas but people are already asking: What’s next for The Gypsy King?
Apparently it won’t be a fight against fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, who is expected to face Anthony Joshua a second time early next year. The Ukrainian stunned Joshua and the boxing world by outpointing the big Briton to win three of the four major titles on Sept. 25. He must now honor a rematch clause, assuming Joshua demands that he does.
Of course, Fury could go directly into a showdown with Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship if Joshua agrees to step aside and then fight the winner of Fury vs. Usyk. That undoubtedly would require a massive payment to Joshua, however, It seems unlikely.
If Usyk vs. Joshua II happens, the soonest Fury could face the winner is next fall or even winter.
That leaves a number of solid, but lower-profile potential opponents for Fury to fight in the meantime. Here are five that could make for an interesting matchup with the WBC champ.
DILLIAN WHYTE VS. OTTO WALLIN WINNER
Whyte and Wallin are scheduled to meet in what should be a competitive fight on Oct. 30 at O2 Arena in London. Either man would be a legitimate opponent for Fury. Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) has had his ups and downs – including knockout losses to Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, the latter of which he avenged by stoppage in his most-recent fight – but he’s a good-sized, capable heavyweight who resonates in Great Britain. Plus, Fury has hinted that Whyte is a logical next foe. Maybe it could take place in the U.K., where Fury hasn’t fought since 2018. Wallin (22-1, 14 KOs) already gave Fury a tougher challenge than expected in a unanimous-decision loss in September 2019. Fury fought through a horrific gash above his right eye, which probably hampered his effort. Still, Wallin won respect with his performance. A rematch doesn’t seem out of line.
ANDY RUIZ JR.
Ruiz (34-2, 22 KOs) would bring a good story into the ring, which is attractive to everyone involved in the promotion. He got to Joshua before Usyk did, taking him out seven rounds to win three shares of the championship as millions watched in astonishment in June 2019. Joshua turned the tables on an ill-prepared Ruiz by decision to regain his titles six months later but no one has forgotten what the chubby American did in the first fight. Could a quick, resilient and rededicated Ruiz do to Fury what he did to Joshua? A lot of people would be interested to find out. One more thing: Ruiz, ranked No. 2 behind Wilder by the WBC, presumably will rise to No. 1.
ROBERT HELENIUS
The 6-foot-6 Finn seemed to be irrelevant only a few years ago, the victim of nagging injuries. His eighth-round knockout loss to Gerald Washington in July 2019 felt like the one-time contender’s last gasp. Then, as his injuries – most notably a bad shoulder — finally healed, Helenius (31-3, 19 KOs) made surged back up the rankings. He stopped journeyman Mateus Osorio immediately after the setback to Washington and then destroyed rising young slugger Adam Kownacki of Brooklyn in back-to-back fights, the second time by disqualification on the Fury-Wilder III card. Helenius, 37, might have the size, power and experience to give Fury problems. It would be a fascinating matchup.
JOE JOYCE
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist from London would, like Whyte, make for a big fight in the U.K. Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) stopped Daniel Dubois in a showdown of unbeaten heavyweight prospects last November to rise into prime title contention, after which he stopped Carlos Takam in six this past July. He’s ranked in the Top 10 by three of the four sanctioning bodies, including No. 3 by the WBC. Joyce is a big man, 6-foot-6 and as much as 270 pounds. And he’s a capable boxer. His problem might be his age, 36, which is three years older than Fury. He needs to be moved quickly. And what better move than to face Fury?
FRANK SANCHEZ
Sanchez (19-0, 13 KOs) took a nice step in his career on the Fury-Wilder undercard, defeating fellow rising contender Efe Ajagba by a convincing unanimous decision. Sanchez doesn’t have the name recognition of the others on this list, which would probably hurt his chances of landing such a fight. And the product of the Cuban amateur system is a superb boxer who is adverse to taking risks, which makes him a relatively dull fighter. On the plus side, his skill set, quickness and athleticism might make him a legitimate threat to Fury. And while he’s not huge, at 6-4, 240 pounds, he wouldn’t be at a prohibitive size disadvantage. Purists might like this fight, the fans maybe not as much.
Who is next for Tyson Fury? Here are five potential opponents after his sensational KO of Deontay Wilder on Saturday.
Tyson Fury is still celebrating his knockout of Deontay Wilder in their instant classic Saturday in Las Vegas but people are already asking: What’s next for The Gypsy King?
Apparently it won’t be a fight against fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, who is expected to face Anthony Joshua a second time early next year. The Ukrainian stunned Joshua and the boxing world by outpointing the big Briton to win three of the four major titles on Sept. 25. He must now honor a rematch clause, assuming Joshua demands that he does.
Of course, Fury could go directly into a showdown with Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship if Joshua agrees to step aside and then fight the winner of Fury vs. Usyk. That undoubtedly would require a massive payment to Joshua, however, It seems unlikely.
If Usyk vs. Joshua II happens, the soonest Fury could face the winner is next fall or even winter.
That leaves a number of solid, but lower-profile potential opponents for Fury to fight in the meantime. Here are five that could make for an interesting matchup with the WBC champ.
DILLIAN WHYTE VS. OTTO WALLIN WINNER
Whyte and Wallin are scheduled to meet in what should be a competitive fight on Oct. 30 at O2 Arena in London. Either man would be a legitimate opponent for Fury. Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) has had his ups and downs – including knockout losses to Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, the latter of which he avenged by stoppage in his most-recent fight – but he’s a good-sized, capable heavyweight who resonates in Great Britain. Plus, Fury has hinted that Whyte is a logical next foe. Maybe it could take place in the U.K., where Fury hasn’t fought since 2018. Wallin (22-1, 14 KOs) already gave Fury a tougher challenge than expected in a unanimous-decision loss in September 2019. Fury fought through a horrific gash above his right eye, which probably hampered his effort. Still, Wallin won respect with his performance. A rematch doesn’t seem out of line.
ANDY RUIZ JR.
Ruiz (34-2, 22 KOs) would bring a good story into the ring, which is attractive to everyone involved in the promotion. He got to Joshua before Usyk did, taking him out seven rounds to win three shares of the championship as millions watched in astonishment in June 2019. Joshua turned the tables on an ill-prepared Ruiz by decision to regain his titles six months later but no one has forgotten what the chubby American did in the first fight. Could a quick, resilient and rededicated Ruiz do to Fury what he did to Joshua? A lot of people would be interested to find out. One more thing: Ruiz, ranked No. 2 behind Wilder by the WBC, presumably will rise to No. 1.
ROBERT HELENIUS
The 6-foot-6 Finn seemed to be irrelevant only a few years ago, the victim of nagging injuries. His eighth-round knockout loss to Gerald Washington in July 2019 felt like the one-time contender’s last gasp. Then, as his injuries – most notably a bad shoulder — finally healed, Helenius (31-3, 19 KOs) made surged back up the rankings. He stopped journeyman Mateus Osorio immediately after the setback to Washington and then destroyed rising young slugger Adam Kownacki of Brooklyn in back-to-back fights, the second time by disqualification on the Fury-Wilder III card. Helenius, 37, might have the size, power and experience to give Fury problems. It would be a fascinating matchup.
JOE JOYCE
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist from London would, like Whyte, make for a big fight in the U.K. Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) stopped Daniel Dubois in a showdown of unbeaten heavyweight prospects last November to rise into prime title contention, after which he stopped Carlos Takam in six this past July. He’s ranked in the Top 10 by three of the four sanctioning bodies, including No. 3 by the WBC. Joyce is a big man, 6-foot-6 and as much as 270 pounds. And he’s a capable boxer. His problem might be his age, 36, which is three years older than Fury. He needs to be moved quickly. And what better move than to face Fury?
FRANK SANCHEZ
Sanchez (19-0, 13 KOs) took a nice step in his career on the Fury-Wilder undercard, defeating fellow rising contender Efe Ajagba by a convincing unanimous decision. Sanchez doesn’t have the name recognition of the others on this list, which would probably hurt his chances of landing such a fight. And the product of the Cuban amateur system is a superb boxer who is adverse to taking risks, which makes him a relatively dull fighter. On the plus side, his skill set, quickness and athleticism might make him a legitimate threat to Fury. And while he’s not huge, at 6-4, 240 pounds, he wouldn’t be at a prohibitive size disadvantage. Purists might like this fight, the fans maybe not as much.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have agreed to terms for third fight, according to reports.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III is all but set.
The heavyweight rivals have agreed to terms on a third fight in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The tentative date is July 24 but Aug. 14 reportedly also is a possibility.
The news comes only three days after an arbitrator ruled that a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II is binding, which spoiled plans for Fury to fight fellow Briton Anthony Joshua for the undisputed championship on Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia.
Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, expects contracts to be signed in the next few days. He told ESPN that Fury, the WBC titleholder, will get the lion’s share of a 60-40 purse split.
Arum told BoxingScene.com that T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand Garden Arena and Allegiant Stadium are all possible venues for the fight. Arum had said earlier that he reserved the stadium – home to the NFL’s Raiders – on July 24.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWY3S2v773Y
“We’re finishing the paperwork,” Arum said Thursday, according to BoxingScene. “July 24th is the working date. Hopefully, we can get it done today. All of the terms are spelled out in that old rematch clause that we had in the original [two-fight] deal.
“There was very little work to do, almost nothing. It was a two-page document.”
Fury hasn’t said much following the arbitrator’s ruling but he did take a shot at both Wilder and Joshua Tuesday on Twitter.
“I’m smoke Wilder first then you will get yours,” he tweeted to Joshua.
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) knocked out Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in seven rounds to take Wilder’s heavyweight title in February of last year, the last time either of them was in the ring. They fought to a draw in 2018.
Meanwhile, Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, is in talks to defend them against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has said he wants to fight this summer.
Fury and Joshua could meet late this year if they win their interim fights.
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have agreed to terms for third fight, according to reports.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III is all but set.
The heavyweight rivals have agreed to terms on a third fight in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The tentative date is July 24 but Aug. 14 reportedly also is a possibility.
The news comes only three days after an arbitrator ruled that a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II is binding, which spoiled plans for Fury to fight fellow Briton Anthony Joshua for the undisputed championship on Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia.
Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, expects contracts to be signed in the next few days. He told ESPN that Fury, the WBC titleholder, will get the lion’s share of a 60-40 purse split.
Arum told BoxingScene.com that T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand Garden Arena and Allegiant Stadium are all possible venues for the fight. Arum had said earlier that he reserved the stadium – home to the NFL’s Raiders – on July 24.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWY3S2v773Y
“We’re finishing the paperwork,” Arum said Thursday, according to BoxingScene. “July 24th is the working date. Hopefully, we can get it done today. All of the terms are spelled out in that old rematch clause that we had in the original [two-fight] deal.
“There was very little work to do, almost nothing. It was a two-page document.”
Fury hasn’t said much following the arbitrator’s ruling but he did take a shot at both Wilder and Joshua Tuesday on Twitter.
“I’m smoke Wilder first then you will get yours,” he tweeted to Joshua.
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) knocked out Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in seven rounds to take Wilder’s heavyweight title in February of last year, the last time either of them was in the ring. They fought to a draw in 2018.
Meanwhile, Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, is in talks to defend them against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has said he wants to fight this summer.
Fury and Joshua could meet late this year if they win their interim fights.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
***
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.
Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.
Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.
Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.
“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.
“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.
“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.
“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”
Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.
“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’
“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.
“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
***
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.
Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.
Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.
Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.
“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.
“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.
“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.
“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”
Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.
“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’
“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.
“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”
