The World Boxing Association has now confirmed that Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have reached an “agreement” for an undisputed heavyweight clash.
The announcement from one of the sport’s major sanctioning bodies came after negotiations over a slated April 29 bout at Wembley had played out on social media between the pair, who currently hold the division’s four titles between them.
The fight had looked in serious doubt earlier on Friday after WBC champion Fury suggested Usyk should only get 30 per cent of the fight purse.
However, on Friday evening WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Usyk posted a response on social media, agreeing to Fury’s demands on the condition that the Brit donates £1m to Ukraine.
After that came the WBA statement, which said: “WBA President Gilberto Mendoza received confirmation from Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s teams that there is an agreement to make the unification fight.
“They request time to work on the contracts to close the deal.”
It has yet to be confirmed whether Fury has agreed to make the proposed donation to Usyk’s native Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, Fury had said: “I see all this talk of boxing fights. They want 50 per cent, Usyk and all this ‘Tyson is being greedy.’
“Where I’m standing, Usyk, you and your team are worth 30 per cent. You either take it, or you leave it, and if you don’t want it, go fight Daniel Dubois at The Copperbox and get a few million dollars.
Fury continued “You want to make some real money, come and fight ‘The Gypsy King’.
“But I will say, for every day from today that you linger and mess around, I’m going to deduct one per cent from the 30 per cent.
“But how in the world did you ever offer me a deal? Not possible. Tick tock, tick tock.”
Usyk shot back, saying: “Hey, ‘greedy belly’, I accept your offer. 70/30 split the fight with you on April 29 in Wembley.
“But you will promise to donate £1m to Ukraine immediately after the fight. And for every day of your delay you will pay 1 per cent from your purse to the Ukrainian people.”
Meanwhile Alex Krassyuk, who represents Usyk, claimed 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.
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas