Alex Krassyuk and Tyson Fury At Odds Over Heavyweight Tournament Rumors
The back-and-forth between unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and WBC belt-holder Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) has been one of the more talked-about stories of 2023. The latest shot comes from Alex Krassyuk of Team Usyk, who firmly believes Fury does not want any part of the unified champion.
As 3kingsboxing.com previously reported, talks are underway for a proposed four-person heavyweight tournament in Saudi Arabia. One fight would be Usyk versus Fury. The other fight would be between two-time unified champion Anthony Joshua and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Negotiations for the tournament has been confirmed by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, and Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott.
However, Fury went to social media to deny any ongoing discussions. Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, quickly responded to that claim by taking a shot at the reigning WBC champion on social media.
AFRAID TO FIGHT?
Krassyuk’s comments are the latest in the bad blood between Usyk and Fury. The two heavyweight champions were in lengthy discussions for a unification matchup on April 29. But to the disappointment of many, they could not agree to terms as Krassyuk accused The Gypsy King of constantly moving the goalposts during negotiations.
It has led many fans to believe the WBC champion is avoiding a fight with Usyk. Why would Fury claim there have been no talks of a tournament when there is clear evidence to the contrary? Is he doing this because part of the tournament involves him and Usyk finally getting in the ring with one another?
Fury could have quelled the narrative if he agreed to fight Usyk on April 29. Until he finally fights Usyk, a legion of the boxing community will believe that he wants no smoke with the unified champion.
