Boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK’S promoter confirmed talks to fight Tyson Fury are over – following too many “unacceptable” and “disrespectful” demands. Usyk publicly accepted Fury’s “greedy” offer of just a 70/30 split to unify all four belts on April 29 at Wembley.
Oleksandr Usyk with his promoter Alex KrassyukCredit: Instagram @alex.krassyuk
But behind the scenes organisers struggled to get the deal over the line as the target date fast approached.
Now Usyk’s team have spoken out to confirm the collapse of the historic title unification and pinned the blame on Fury.
Promoter Alex Krassyuk told talkSPORT: “The fight is called off. The reason for that is it went too far.
“There was a feeling that after Usyk accepted 70-30, Tyson Fury started thinking that he could put a tether around his neck and start riding Usyk as much as he can.
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“It’s not right. I mean, Usyk accepted the 70-30 split as a courtesy, he was so loyal, and he was so willing to make this fight happen.
“But the fight isn’t about Tyson Fury, the fight is about the WBC belt that is pending in his collection.”
Usyk’s team believed they called Fury’s bluff by accepting the slim purse split for what is a super-heavyweight fight.
But despite the financials being agreed upon the deal is believed to have broken down due to a disagreement over other material terms.
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Usyk is now expected to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, 25, which the WBA have already ordered if talks with Fury fell apart.
Krassyuk said: “If I start telling you the list of things he wanted, one, five, ten, or 15 minutes will not be enough.
“There was a list of things he wanted to get in his favour that was absolutely unacceptable, which were completely disrespectful to the unified champion and former undisputed champion.
“I cannot disclose the negotiations, it’s part of the ethics. So, if I start to go into the details, it won’t look good.
“Maybe, if the other party would be willing to take the decision to disclose what were the things then we can talk about it.
“At this time, I cannot do this just for this reason…. With huge regret in my heart, I must admit [the fight is off]… [Usyk] will take a short break and comply with his mandatories.”
The fight would have promised to put all four heavyweight belts on the line for the first time in history.
And Usyk, 36, was attempting history in trying to become the first men’s two-weight undisputed champion.
But Krassyuk insisted Fury, 34, denied them the opportunity by purposely putting roadblocks in their route to getting the deal done.
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He said: “If it’s so complicated that Tyson tries to avoid it by putting so many obstacles in front while making the deal then there’s no need to put more effort in and we just go our way.
“The only thing that stays in my mind, we can claim very clearly that undisputed stays our highest priority and we will do our best to make it happen in the shortest period of time, and whoever is the temporary holder of the WBC belt we will try to make it happen.”
Oleksandr Usyk pictured with Tyson Fury More

ANTHONY JOSHUA said he lost “admiration and respect” from legends after losing the belts – but he is done with trying to prove a point. Joshua returns on April 1 – live on talkSPORT radio – against American Jermaine Franklin following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua after his rematch loss to Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA
AJ surrendered the unified titles to Usyk in September 2021 and failed to regain them in their Saudi Arabia rematch last August.
The 2012 Olympic champion’s tactics and mindset were called into question by experts of the game.
It left Joshua bemused but the heavyweight superstar is through with chasing the recognition of his peers.
He told talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver: “I love this industry, I respect boxing so much, because I do it, and I know what it takes.
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“And it’s crazy to think that a lot of the legends that I admire and people that I look up to are doing podcasts now, and I can actually go online and hear what they have to say.
“I used to do a lot of it to try and get the respect and admiration from people that I admire, and you’re kind of chasing that.
“And when I lost the belts, I just felt that admiration and respect from the legends of the game had just disappeared with those belts.
“It was a hard pill to swallow, and now I’m just in a place where it’s like, ‘F*** everyone, I’m doing this s*** for myself.
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Credit: SUNSPORT
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“I ain’t going through that s*** anymore where I’m putting pressure on, ‘I’m going to do this, and I’m going to do that.’
“Listen, if I just knuckle down and take one day at a time and take one round at a time, and I put my mind to it, what will be, will be.”
Joshua, 33, is without a win since December 2020 when he knocked out Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev, 41.
And following his pair of defeat to Usyk, 36, AJ has parted ways with his coaching team to link up with Derrick James in Texas.
Even his promoter Eddie Hearn has warned to expect an all-new Joshua, having completed his camp away from home for the first time.
But the man himself said: “Are we going to see something different?
“You can’t really say that, Spencer, I’ll be lying to you if I was like, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to come out southpaw…’
“It’s all bulls***, I’m going to go in there and do what the f*** I do and I’m going to get this win. That’s what I’m focusing on.
“Let me go in there and do my job, I’m going to do my best, I’m not going to make it over complicated, I’m a good fighter.
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“I’ve got a f****** good jab, good defence, good right hand, good uppercut, and I’ll find the gaps needed to break my opponent down.”
Anthony Joshua training out in AmericaCredit: INSTAGRAM
Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has three major options lying in wait if he beats Jermaine Franklin. AJ faces American Franklin on April 1 – live on talkSPORT radio – as he looks to bounce back from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Getty
His promoter Eddie Hearn was confronted live on air by Simon Jordan, who called Joshua a “flat-track bully” who has “gotten found out.”
Jordan also questioned Hearn on whether AJ will consider facing Joe Joyce, 37, or Daniel Dubois, 25, if he gets back to winning ways.
But Hearn responded: “I don’t think the Dubois fight, I think Joyce is the guy.
“I think Dubois is miles away in terms of the heavyweight division of the elite guys but I think Joyce is right in there.
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“Those guys have sparred thousands of rounds, it’s brilliant to watch. Honestly if you asked AJ about fighting Joyce, no problem at all.
“He has three options after Franklin are Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.
“I don’t think there’s any disgrace off the back of the Usyk fight going Jermaine Franklin, Dillian Whyte and then Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. That’s a hell of a 2023.”
Joshua, 33, is without a win since December 2020 when he knocked out Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev, now 41.
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Credit: SUNSPORT
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And Franklin, 29, won praise for his performance over Whyte, 34, in November in which he lost a controversial decision.
Hearn agreed it is “make or break” for Joshua and the nerves are running high.
He said: “Absolutely. I’m a promoter and I’m hyping the fight, but at the same time I am nervous.
“He’s coming off two defeats, albeit to Oleksandr Usyk, we saw emotionally the position he was in because he wanted to win so badly.
“He’s got a new trainer and he’s taken himself to Dallas with a very small team to work his absolute socks off.”
Eddie Hearn pictured with Anthony Joshua in TexasCredit: https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1636082079212486659/photo/1 More

TYSON FURY vs Oleksandr Usyk is currently OFF with promoter Frank Warren trying to work one final miracle to save it.The deal for the Wembley April 29 heavyweight undisputed decider was hours from being signed off before a row on Tuesday grounded negotiations on the final straight.
Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas has blamed the 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King for the collapse, saying: “No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more”.
But SunSport understands Team Fury will lay the blame at 36-year-old Usyk’s door for making unrealistic demands behind the scenes.
Southpaw mastermind Usyk undoubtedly called Fury’s bluff by accepting a paltry 30 per cent of the mega-money showdown.
And then the 6ft 9in Brit pulled off another coup by getting the rematch clause ripped up.
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However he pushed his luck too far when he posted one final video mocking Usyk and his team for taking the skinny end of the four-belt showdown.
Fury’s faux pas was roaring: “You get what you’re getting, don’t worry.
“You got your fighter to accept 30 percent, you bum dosser.
“You got outwitted by a man who never went to school in his life, sausage!”
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Hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren and his Queensberry team hope the deal can be resurrected in the next 24 hours.
Despite the planned bout being just five weeks away, they had done all the groundwork to get the fight on track to be another record-breaking Wembley spectacular.
If the fantasy fight really is dead then WBA, IBF and WBO boss Usyk will have to fight Fury’s stablemate and WBA mandatory Daniel Dubious.
Fury will cancel his April 29 date and not rush into a hastily made Plan B, returning to the drawing board for a summer showdown of his own.
The frustrating talks have been rumbling on since August, when it was slated for Saudi Arabia and included a rematch.
After the Sheikh’s pulled down, Fury successfully moved the goalposts to make it a 70-30 split in his favour.

🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
Canny Usyk snapped up the offer, on the provision Fury donated £1million to help his war-ravaged nation of Ukraine fight off Russia and rebuild.
But then Fury countered with a demand to have the rematch clause – that had always previously  been included – ripped up.
Fury then went into camp, drafted in southpaw sparring and had trainer Sugarhill Steward fly in from America but there was still no solid confirmation that all the caveats had been agreed to and on Tuesday night, the dreaded news broke.
Seen as Usyk had already agreed to a stingy slice of the pie and fight in Fury’s backyard yard where he would concede crucial home advantage, it’s no surprise he has baulked at axing the rematch.
If the London 2012 Olympic winner gets a dodgy decision on foreign soil – where Fury would have close to 100,000 fans cheering him on potentially swaying the three judges – it would be a travesty for him to have no chance at instant redemption.
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Fury and his team are now sure to blame Usyk for ducking out and the Eastern European’s will return fire with claims and accusations of greed.
It’s another sorry state of affairs for boxing that needed this bout so much.
Tyson Fury with promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More

TYSON FURY vs Oleksandr Usyk is OFF, according to the Ukrainian’s manager.And he says the Gypsy King is entirely to blame.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is off, says the Ukrainian’s managerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Usyk’s camp have laid the blame at the feet of FuryCredit: Getty
Boxing fans were counting down the days until April 29 when it appeared Fury and Usyk had managed to strike an agreement.
A fight between the pair would unify the heavyweight division.
And it would also have seen the UK finally host one of the most anticipated battles in boxing history.
Negotiations between Fury and Usyk had dragged on for months before April 29 was chosen as a date.
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But it appears the bout will not go ahead after the duo failed to conclude terms over the purse.
And according to Usyk’s agent Egis Klimas, that all falls at the feet of WBC king Fury.

He said: “No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more.”
Usyk is now plotting a mandatory defence of his belts in either June or July.
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As for Fury, he could finally look to strike a deal against British foe Anthony Joshua — who fights Jermaine Franklin on April 1.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “AJ’s looking good but I’m nervous.
“People are saying this is a straightforward fight for Anthony Joshua but it’s not at all.
“Let’s look at the facts, he’s coming off two defeats to the pound-for-pound number one Oleksandr Usyk but you saw the emotional side to AJ in the last performance and after the fight.
“Franklin is full of confidence coming off the Dillian Whyte fight and he looks all of a sudden about 20lbs lighter as well.
“This is a big moment for Anthony Joshua’s career, people are talking about fights against Deontay Wilder, Whyte, Fury but he has to win on April 1.” More

EDDIE HEARN admits he’s incredibly ‘nervous’ for Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion returns to action at The O2 a week on Saturday against Jermaine Franklin.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring a fortnight on SaturdayCredit: REX
AJ’s comeback fight – his first since back-to-back losses to Usyk – will be against Jermaine FranklinCredit: REX
Promoter Eddie Hearn is ‘nervous’ for the Brit ahead of his comeback fightCredit: REX
AJ’s career hangs in the balance following back-to-back losses to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk and defeat to the American could potentially put the final nail into the coffin for his world title hopes.
Hearn is relishing seeing what the Watford warrior has learned under the tutelage of Derrick James in Texas, but is worried about Franklin being a potential banana skin.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, the Matchroom Boxing chief said: “AJ’s looking good but I’m nervous.
“People are saying this is a straightforward fight for Anthony Joshua but it’s not at all.”
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Hearn believes the psychological effects of defeat to Usyk and Franklin’s impressive display against Dillian Whyte last November make the April Fools Day clash a tricky one for AJ.
He continued: “Let’s look at the facts: he’s coming off two defeats to the pound-for-pound No 1 Oleksandr Usyk, but you saw the emotional side to AJ in the last performance and after the fight.
“Franklin is full of confidence coming off the Dillian Whyte fight and he looks all of a sudden about 20lbs lighter as well.
“This is a big moment for Anthony Joshua’s career, people are talking about fights against Deontay Wilder, Whyte, Fury but he has to win on April 1.
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“Franklin is a good fighter who is going to come well equipped but AJ has worked himself hard out there in humble, humble surroundings.”
Joshua, 33, has isolated himself in Texas in a bid to rediscover his mojo along with new head trainer James.
Hearn said: “This is just him, Derrick James and Errol Spence. Just hard work.
“I think this is the hardest he’s ever worked in camp.
“And I really hope that he can produce the performance that he deserves on April 1 because I believe he’s still in his prime.
“But he has to beat Jermaine Franklin.”
Credit: SUNSPORT
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
Joshua is relishing the high-stakes showdown, saying: “I have to take Franklin even more seriously than I did Usyk.
“Not comparing them, but now I just know better.
“What I went through and how I trained was not enough, so I now know that I have to put even more pressure on myself to perform better.
“As long as I am fighting, I am going to have this level of self-expectation to improve as a fighter.
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“I know Jermaine Franklin is working in the trenches right now, so I have to remember that this is still a real fight.
“Just because Jermaine Franklin is not yet a big-name brand, it does not mean he cannot perform.” More