OLEKSANDR USYK has accused Tyson Fury of trying to duck their undisputed decider by pricing himself out of the mega-showdown.

Talks between the teams started even before Usyk’s second heavyweight world title win over Anthony Joshua in August, so confident were both teams of the result and the potential windfall.



Saudi Arabia were eager to throw silly oil money at the showdown for 34-year-old Fury’s WBC crown and 36-year-old Usyk’s WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

Usyk even marched into Tottenham in December and leapt on the ring to gatecrash Fury's celebrations after he decimated Derek Chisora.

We are, however, now five months on from those initial talks and have missed the original dream date of March 4, so April 29 is now the date being worked towards.

But Usyk reckons Fury – who in the same 2022 breath that he would fight only Anthony Joshua for £500,000,000 or sweet F.A – is using money as a means to dodge his long-standing challenge.

READ MORE IN BOXING

Football offer: Claim £20 in free bets for the Premier League with Coral

I was trolled for my Tyson Fury tattoo – but Gypsy King LOVES my tribute

The Ukraine southpaw, who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics and became undisputed cruiserweight king, said: “Fury, you talk about greatness in boxing but, at the same time, you say, 'Give me a lot of money’.

“Greatness in boxing is not determined by money. Greatness comes from a victorious path.

“You say that I avoid you, but I never have. In fact, I have even come to you.

“I am ready to box you even without any prize money."

Most read in Sport

IT'S OFF

Cheltenham clash with Sheffield Wednesday called off due to freezing weather

SAV-EXIT

Man Utd starlet Charlie Savage set to join Forest Green on loan to get experience

PALACE STAR DEATH

Former Crystal Palace and Dundee star Patrizio Billio dies aged 48

BABY LION

John Stones' girlfriend Olivia gives birth to 'absolutely gorgeous' baby boy

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS

Fury was ringside in Manchester on Saturday night for Liam Smith’s breathtaking knockout of Chris Eubank Jr, where he said he was sick of the negotiations but confident of reaching an agreement.

He said: “When I get the deal done everybody will know.

“I am not getting involved in doing deals, that’s what I pay Frank Warren and my lawyer to do.

"Because all the back and forth drives me mad, he wants this and that. I am not getting involved.

“There have been undisputed heavyweight champions before, the last was our Lennox Lewis, but that was for the three belts and not four. I will be the first of this era.

“I am an undefeated two-time world champion and he is an undefeated two-weight world champion, so it is a very interesting fight.”

Queensberry Promotions chief Warren is hoping an agreement can be reached in the coming weeks, telling talkSPORT earlier this month: “We’re expecting a couple of offers this week.

"But none of them have come through and then Tyson has to make his decision.

“I hope it’s going to happen at the end of March, early April, that’s where we’re looking at the moment.

“So, fingers crossed we get it over the line for that date, but it will definitely, definitely happen.”

Read More on The Sun

People are only just realising how to stop crying when chopping onions

Inside Britain’s richest gypsy Alfie Best’s childhood in caravan on lay-by

He added: "We’re very far down the road, but there are a couple of things we’ve got to work on.

“We’re trying to get to a point where we can announce it fairly soon and we all think it’s going to happen.”

Source: Read Full Article