Fury vs. Warren negotiations: Warren sets deadline

By Scott Shaffer

08/09/2022

Fury vs. Warren negotiations: Warren sets deadline

On Thursday on IFL TV, Frank Warren (pictured), who promotes WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, gave ex-champ Anthony Joshua and Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn a firm deadline to "take it or leave it" for a British super fight: "Tyson wants to make sure there are no problems with [a potential fight vs. three-belt champion Oleksandr] Usyk in February or March with a decent run-up [time] for that. The offer's there, and we need an answer quickly. If they do not come back with the thumbs up, then we move on. [The deadline is] today. What is there to discuss?"
 
On Wednesday,  Fury told TalkSport he's given Anthony Joshua two possible dates for a fight this year: "Let's get the fight made for the British public. The Battle of Britain, who's gonna take it, me or him? [...] However, I have seen that they are trying to wriggle a little bit with the dates because officially, we have Manchester United Football Ground booked for the 12th of November. They are saying that's too short. So what I have got is even better than than that. [I have] Wembley Stadium booked for the 26th of November this year. And if he doesnt want to go to Wembley at the end of November, I even have a December date for him, the 3rd of December at Cardiff. So take your little pick, dosser! There's no room for wriggling!.. Both dates are available and I've agreed to both of them, so if they're no good, he does not want this fight... And if he doesn't want to do it on any of them dates, then I have another date in November that I wil be fighting on.... Take the fight dosser and get yourself knocked spark out in front of the British public and the world. Next time he sees me in the ring, he'll be looking up off his back!"
 
On Wednesday, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn indicated in an IFL TV that a super fight between Joshua and WBC heavyweight champion Fury may very well occur this year because he accewpted Fury's proposed revenue split:  "I went back this morning and said we accept 60/40 [a 60/40 split in favor of Fury]. We want that reversed in a rematch, rightfully so, because you are the [WBC] champion here you want the bigger split, which I think is fair. We want to do the fight in December. Interestingly, they have December 17th [in Cardiff, Wales]. Queensberry [Fury's promoter] has held Millennium Stadium. That's perfect for us.... They want the rematch clause but we're not moaning about a rematch clause. He's the champion but we've had rematch clauses when AJ was the champion."
 
On Tuesday, Fury began public negotiations by offering Joshua's side 40% of net revenues for a proposed fight: "Everyone is saying 80/20, 70/30 or 75/25, but the actual answer is, I've offered him 60/40. That's 40 percent of this amazing fight because I want this fight to happen. He doesnt have any excusaes now not to take it. He cant say I've lowballed him or offered him 20 percent or 30 percent. I've offered his people 40 percent. Take it or leave it. Let us know." 
 
Joshua responded positively to Fury's tweet: "I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you're really about it, shout to [my management company] 258Mgt. I’ll be ready in December."
 
To start of the week, Fury tweeted a video call-out to former three-belt champion Anthony Joshua: I'm going to be fighting soon, within the next few months. Before I announce an opponent, I need to do this, just in case. Anthony Joshua, I know you just lost a fight to [Oleksandr] Usyk and you are boutless at the moment. I'd like to give you the opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world... in the next few months. You are coming off a twelve-round fight, so you're match-fit, and you're ready and I'm giving you a few months' notice. If you are interested, I'll send you the details over... Let me know if you are interested. If not, I will select a different opponent. Thank you very much.