Bob Arum, Tyson Fury’s promoter, has stated that talks for an undisputed title bout with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia are underway.
This comes just days after a British boxer dismissed the fight allegations, calling preparations for a mega-fight with Usyk in the Middle East “bull****,” despite the Ukrainian’s management claiming that talks were ongoing.
Fury took to Instagram last month to call preparations for a megafight with Usyk in the Middle East “bull****,” despite the Ukrainian’s team indicating that talks were in the works.
However, Arum’s recent words have given supporters optimism that, for the first time since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999, a bout to unify the division will finally take place.
‘I spoke with a representative of Skills Challenge, who put on these boxing competitions in Saudi Arabia,’ Arum told Ringside Reporter.
‘We know these folks because we worked for them on the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury fight, so we know who the players are and we’ve had some pretty intriguing conversations with them.’
When asked whether the conversations with Saudi representatives addressed a December bout, Arum said: ‘Yes, that is right’.
Fury and Usyk began talks earlier this year for an uncontested confrontation, but were unable to reach an agreement before the Ukrainian’s camp withdrew from negotiations owing to Fury’s demands.
Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, laid the burden squarely on Fury’s shoulders, accusing him of putting too many roadblocks in the way of a deal.
Fury and Usyk would fight on the same night as Anthony Joshua and Wilder in Saudi Arabia on a tournament-style show.
