The year 2023, thus far, has been great for boxing. Fabulous fights, beginning with Davis-Garcia, Haney-Lomachenko, and the most recent Crawford-Spence Jr., bedecked the calendar. Another bout could have joined in adorning the catalog: Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk. But unfortunately for fans, the fight breathed its last before it could even enter the ring. The protagonists and their teams pushed ahead toward new pastures. However, as recent developments prove, the ghosts of the failed discussions still linger in the back alleys.

After the negotiations for their fight collapsed, Oleksandr Usyk decided to proceed with the mandatory title defense. He faces Daniel Dubois at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, tomorrow. During an open workout session, he regaled the assembled viewers with his dance moves. Queensbury’s Frank Warren, on the other hand, shared his version of the story in an interview with Fight Hub TV.

The allegation ping-pong

Michelle Joy Phelps caught up with the Queensbury boss in Poland early today. After the routine discussion on Dubois’ chances, she checked with the veteran promoter on Tyson Fury’s attempts at title unification. Then Phelps took up the case of unsuccessful negotiations to bring forth the Fury-Usyk match. Warren had mentioned earlier in the interview about an offer made in December and how the fight got pushed for one reason or another. He believes Fury could hardly be blamed if the bout eventually came up short.

So he replied, “I know people put out to one side. I mean, the fact that matters is, as I’ve said, we never (had an offer). If they show me an offer now that has been made this year, I will donate one million pounds to the Ukrainian War Fund or whatever it is…but there isn’t one.” Now, it was over to the Ukrainian side to present their account. Michelle Joy Phelps had the chance to meet Alex Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter.

So she asked him, given how the talks on the issue have taken off and how they seem to be moving from place to place. Then, she shared the details of Frank Warren’s bet with Krassyuk. The Ukrainian promoter replied, “He would rather tell why didn’t Tyson Fury agree for that one million pounds that Usyk put as the condition to accept the 70-30 split because I promise not to unveil it, and I will probably keep my word that might damage his reputation, let’s say.”

The hope continues…

Compared with other divisions, the Heavyweight division has had a relatively slow start this year. Anthony Joshua‘s two fights and Joe Joyce‘s upset loss made a few headlines. Fans look forward to the upcoming bouts, such as the one between Usyk-Dubois or the Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou exhibition. But they still yearn for a big, defining episode to take place. A Fury-Usyk fight could have helped settle the matter. With no sight of the Joshua-Wilder fights this year, fans can only wish that the coming year starts with a bang for the Heavyweight division, which includes the ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Cat’ lineup.

Read More: “Nearly $2 Million”: Promoter Frank Warren Reveals Tyson Fury’s Past Major Loss

Do you feel fans and followers would still want to see a Fury-Usyk clash? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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