Alex Krassyuk, promoter of Oleksandr Usyk, is currently trying to finalise a highly anticipated undisputed title fight with Tyson Fury which is now speculated to now to take place in the United Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has been been the front-runner to win the race to host the fight between the two undefeated heavyweight kings. Those discussions failed to materialise which would have seen the pair earn career-high paydays if the fight was hosted by the Saudi’s hence the shift back to the United Kingdom.
Frank Warren has recently stated that Wembley Stadium has been provisionally booked for April 29th which would in all likelihood break all British records regarding revenue suggested Frank.
However, Krassyuk, will not accept anything less than a fifty-fifty split on behalf of Usyk after suggestions that Tyson Fury deserves a bigger slice of the purse split due to his economic powers as the main draw if the fight was to take place in the UK. Krassyuk rebuffed the suggestion when speaking to Boxingscene.com and said it was Usyk who is bringing three belts to the table in comparison to Fury’s WBC title.
“Yeah, but how can you justify this? Just because he’s English? Doesn’t sound [like a] big [justification],” Krassyuk told BoxingScene.com. “From the other side, Fury can say, ‘OK it doesn’t matter to me who I’m fighting. [Whether it’s] Usyk or the man from a supermarket, I can still sell out Wembley stadium.’
“But, c’mon man, this is sports. It’s not just about professional boxing. Go to Hollywood if you want to make that kind of money. If you’re the king you’ve got to prove it. Prove it against the guy with three belts.”
Despite Krassyuk’s rebuttal of the claims that Fury deserves a larger slice of the split, confidence is still high from Usyk’s promoter that a fair deal can be agreed upon with Fury’s representatives (Queensberry/Frank Warren) with meetings scheduled for this week.
“I anticipate we will have a good chance to do so,” Krassyuk said of finalizing an agreement. “I’m really optimistic. The only thing that can damage the fight [is Fury]. Usyk is very flexible, money never touched his heart. He knows if he’s successful in the ring, money comes his way — but the only concern I have is Tyson’s attitude."
“If Fury is afraid to lose his popularity, to lose the status he has now—and against Usyk he has the biggest chance to lose it— he may not be flexible, he might ask for a bigger share to justify his risk. Probably for him this is the riskiest fight in boxing. But deep in my heart I believe he has the heart of a warrior and he will accept the fair conditions and will not walk around…then we can make this fight in the next three days.”
