Frank Warren insists Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is still ON with talks taking place NOW

Frank Warren insists Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is NOT off despite the Ukrainian’s manager stating his fighter is no longer willing to negotiate… with emergency talks taking place NOW following live discussions between the camps on talkSPORT

  • Frank Warren has rejected claims that Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is now off 
  • Usyk’s camp earlier on Wednesday claimed the clash was dead in the water
  • The camps are now continuing talks ahead of the proposed April 29 showdown

Promoter Frank Warren insists the undisputed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on April 29 is still alive, with last-minute talks to take place on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Brit, who promotes Fury, appeared live on talkSPORT shortly before midday on Wednesday after Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, revealed negotiations between the pair had broken down – despite the Gypsy King insisting the Wembley fight was definitely on only last week. 

An incensed Warren revealed a late dispute over a potential rematch clause has emerged, though ensuring there is no reason the hurdle can’t be overcome, stating: ‘I convinced Tyson to take the rematch. Then we got into how the money will be split in the rematch. The rematch has become a sideshow. Why can’t this be overcome if Usyk wants the fight?’ 

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk then joined the call, admitting it was Usyk who has pulled the plug on negotiations and revealing the Ukrainian ‘can’t stand it anymore’. He also insisted Fury was not willing to pay £1million of his purse to Ukraine, a condition set by Usyk. 

However, Warren and Krassyuk then agreed to speak on the phone immediately, with Warren in particular hopeful a full announcement can be made as soon as today. 

But the Ukrainian's manager has said the fight is now off after a breakthrough in negotiations

Tyson Fury (left) and Oleksandr Usyk (right) remain in talks for their April 29 showdown 

Promoter Frank Warren refuted claims made by Usyk's camp that negotiations have ended

Promoter Frank Warren refuted claims made by Usyk’s camp that negotiations have ended

Warren, earlier in the call, revealed he had only been informed of the breakdown in talks on Tuesday. ‘No, I’m not confirming it’s off,’ he said.

‘All I’ve had from him [Klimas] officially was an email that said, “Gentlemen, hope you’re okay, I’m not going into details, start to blame or point the finger to anyone, but we’d like to officially announce that Team Usyk is out of further negotiations regarding the April 29 fight”. We got that yesterday, that’s the first we heard of it.’

Usyk had previously agreed to Fury’s demand of a 70/30 split in his favour for the Wembley clash, with Warren on Wednesday adding that most of the details – including who would walk to the ring first – had been settled. 

However, Usyk’s team then backtracked after being asked to ditch a proposed rematch clause.

Warren now insists Fury – who has been in full training for three weeks – has agreed to keep a rematch clause in the contract, though the split for a second fight is yet to be agreed.

Whether the two camps can actually come to a full agreement remains to be seen, with Warren admitting the negotiations will have to be finalised within the next day or two for the fight to be possible. 

Krassyuk remains certain, at this stage, that the fight remains off, however. He said: ‘Only God can give a 100 per cent guarantee, but from our perspective it’s not happening on the 29th. I’m very sincere. It is what it is. Usyk’s camp have pulled the plug.’

The Ukrainian earlier on Wednesday slammed Fury for putting ‘so many obstacles’ in the way of the fight and ultimately blamed the Briton for the bout falling through. 

Usyk's team claim their proposed undisputed showdown with Fury is now dead in the water

Usyk’s team claim their proposed undisputed showdown with Fury is now dead in the water

The Ukrainian's promoter Alexander Krassyuk (L) says Fury 'went too far' with his demands

The Ukrainian’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk (L) says Fury ‘went too far’ with his demands

He 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.

‘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.’

Fury was last in action last December, beating Derek Chisora by stoppage, while Usyk overcame Anthony Joshua for the second time last August to tee up what would be the first unification bout at heavyweight in the four-belt era.  

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