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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Tyson Fury in line for ‘premium’ offer from Saudi Arabia to finally fight Oleksandr Usyk

Amer Abdullah, Head of Boxing at the Saudi Arabian promotion Skill Challenge, has confirmed they are willing to pay Tyson Fury “a premium” to fight Oleksandr Usyk this winter.

With the heavyweight scene coming under increasing criticism of late for a lack of big fights after the initial collapse of the Fury-Usyk undisputed bout, rumours of a huge event in the Middle East have surfaced.

Anthony Joshua has been tipped to fight Deontay Wilder on the same night Fury would meet Usyk to potentially determine the first undisputed champion in the division for over 20 years.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren recently hit out at any suggestion the WBA, WBC and Ring magazine champion was to blame for talks with Usyk’s camp failing to reach a positive conclusion.

The Ukrainian, meanwhile, recently signed a deal with the Saudi-based promotional company and will defend his IBF, WBO and IBO belts against Daniel Dubois in August.

While Joshua told Standard Sport a deal to finally meet Wilder was edging closer, there has been no update on the chances of seeing an undisputed bout.

“I think that fight has a lot of interest,” Abdullah told talkSPORT.

“It’s an undisputed heavyweight championship. The last time we had it was Lennox twenty-something years ago.”

Abdullah says Fury would be in line for a “premium” offer to meet Usyk, who he has frequently called out on social media.

“We need that one heavyweight and this is the fight that could do it,” he added.

“So we will pay a premium price for it, it’ll be a great offer for all four guys and hopefully we’ll make the fight happen.”

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