Promoters of Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk say that their title fight with Tyson Fury is in jeopardy due to Fury’s heavy financial demands.
The pair have been locked in negotiations for a unification bout but time is fast running out to agree a deal.
Alex Krassyuk, who represents Usyk, claimed that Fury rejected their latest offer where the winner would receive 60 per cent of the purse, and questioned whether the WBC champion actually wants the fight.
Krassyuk told iD Boxing: “I can only tell you from the words I hear from my negotiators, my partners Frank and George Warren. According to their reports, Tyson Fury was asking for too much money.
“Even if Usyk would get zero for the fight, it would still not be sufficient for Tyson to cover his [demands].
Krassyuk added “Normally when a fighter doesn’t want to fight, he asks for something impossible, and then it’s not happening. That’s according to my experience. I’ve been in boxing for almost 20 years and that’s what I’ve seen so many times.
Tyson Fury and his promoters have been contacted for comment.
Usyk had on Tuesday said a fight with Fury was “very important for both of us” and that it must be made.
Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles after two successive victories over Anthony Joshua.
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare