Heavyweight titleholders Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have reached tentative a deal on a unification bout, according to WBA President Jesus Mendoza. Fight Freaks Unite first reported the news.
The key to the break through was Usyk’s willingness to accept 30 percent of the revenue as Fury demanded, which Usyk had resisted.
Mendoza told the outlet on Friday the handlers of the unbeaten big men told him they came to an agreement but had not finished drawing up contracts.
WBA officials, evidently frustrated over ongoing negotiations, had intended to order Usyk to make his mandatory defense against Daniel DuBois. Usyk holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. Fury is the WBC champ.
If they finalize the deal, the winner will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
“It seems Usyk versus Fury will happen,” Mendoza said. “There is an agreement between Usyk and Fury. They will provide a contract and dates.
“They are basically saying an agreement has been reached. let’s work on the contracts.”
The fighters had targeted April 29 for their showdown but that seems unlikely because of limited time prepare and promote the fight. A source told Fight Freaks Unite that June or later is more likely.
The meeting is likely to take place at Wembley Stadium in London but that doesn’t appear to be finalized.
Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) is generally considered the top heavyweight in the world even thought he holds only one of the four major belts. He’s coming off a 10th-round knockout of Derek Chisora in December.
Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) is a former unified cruiserweight champion. He stunned the boxing world by outpointed Anthony Joshua to win his three titles in September 2021 and then doing it again in the rematch last August.
This story first appeared on Boxing Junkie, the boxing-centric partner site of MMA Junkie under the USA Today Sports banner.
Report: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk reach agreement on ‘undisputed’ bout