Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury's potential undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk may not be the most eye-catching for fans.
Usyk retained his unified heavyweight titles last weekend when he outpointed Hearn's charge Anthony Joshua by split decision in their Saudi Arabia rematch. A win for Joshua would have set up a huge undisputed title meeting with Fury but it will now instead be Usyk who is expected to challenge for all the marbles.
Fury had previously claimed he was retired from the sport but he is now willing to delay his retirement plans to step in the ring and face Usyk, providing a deal is agreed by September 1. Despite most fans being hugely excited at the prospect of the two best heavyweights fighting, Hearn believes Fury doesn't want to face Usyk but will do so due to the financial reward at stake.
“I would favour Oleksandr Usyk in that fight,” said Hearn when speaking on The DAZN Boxing Show. “I just think he’s so good. They’re both very intelligent fighters. It’s actually not a very good fight to watch but it’s an intriguing fight to watch. Tyson Fury doesn’t want to fight Usyk, but he may have to because the money is so big.”
The 'Gypsy King' was very quick to respond to Joshua's defeat at the hands of Usyk last weekend immediately taking to social media to insist he would be the first to beat the unified champion. Fury himself has yet to lose and previously defended his WBC crown with a win over Dillian Whyte back in April.
Talks are understood to have taken place prior to Usyk's rematch with Joshua for an undisputed clash between the pair, with Bob Arum discussing a meeting with Usyk's team. Despite Usyk's second win over Joshua, it is widely expected that Fury will go into the fight as the favourite due to his superior size and longer reign in the heavyweight division.
Who do you think will win - Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know in the comments section below
Fury has demanded an eye-watering £500million for the bout which will likely be held in Saudi Arabia. With Fury facing a deadline to decide the future of his WBC title today, Frank Warren has claimed a fight agreement is nearing but will be subject to the financial aspects of the deal and selecting a venue.
“Do I think it will be made? Yes I do," Warren said. "Usyk’s team and the fighter said immediately after the fight he wants it. I know Tyson wants it. There will be big demands from both boxers, and rightly so. This is a unique event.
"This is the biggest heavyweight title fight since Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier. A lot of people have a split opinion on who will win, which is great. This is boxing’s World Cup. We will make it happen but where it takes place will be determined by finance.”
