Frank Warren Says Joshua Made Impossible Demands to Allow Fury v Usyk
The boxing community has been in a frenzy wondering if former unified heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (24-2, 22ko) will step aside, allowing WBC champion Tyson ‘The Gypsy King” Fury (31-0-1, 22ko) and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13ko) fight for undisputed. Queensberry Promotions CEO Frank Warren says a deal was close, but it was Joshua’s high demands that ultimately killed the deal.
From the start of this year, almost every day, fans received news of Joshua possibly stepping aside to allow the fight for undisputed to take place. The daily rumors were getting so out of hand that AJ had to address the situation with a video on social media.
“I’m hearing people saying ‘AJ accepts $15 million to step aside.’ I ain’t signed no contract! I ain’t seen no contract. So as it stands, stop listening to the bullshit.”
Anthony Joshua, former unified heavyweight champion
Joshua invoked the rematch clause after losing the titles to Usyk on that fateful day of September 25, 2021. Well, the situation of the step-aside continued with both teams trying to figure a way to make it happen. Adding icing to the cake, the WBC kept postponing the purse bid for Fury to defend the title against Interim titlist Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte.
WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE FIGHT NOT HAPPENING?
Finally, news broke on the failure to make a deal that would allow the fight for undisputed to go forward. Furthermore, the long-awaited Fury v Whyte purse bid had taken place, with Warren emerging as the winner.
During an interview with iFL TV, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn blamed Fury for being the root of the problem.
“The reality is that Tyson Fury is the one who has decided really that he doesn’t want to fight Usyk next. Whether he tells you that or not, that is the truth!”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Chairman
THE DEMANDS WERE TOO HIGH TO MEET
Warren is telling a different story, saying the issue was the financial demands of Joshua. The Queensberry boss would go into some detail as to why the fight did not happen during an interview on The Lowdown.
“It was nearly done. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t. At this moment it’s pretty irrelevant because we are where we are, and I think that conversation is for another time. Tyson was up for it, but in the end, some of the demands, financial demands making to step aside, was impossible to accommodate.”
Frank Warren, Queensberry Promotions CEO
When asked if this clears the way for Joshua to rematch Usyk for the titles, Warren spilled the beans.
“I would think so. Joshua priced himself out with the demands he was making. I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back as far as Tyson was concerned.”
Frank Warren, Queensberry Promotions CEO
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By: Garrisson Bland
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