Fury vs Usyk: Ukraine react to ‘stupid games’ around rematch clause

Oleksandr Usyk has claimed Tyson Fury’s antics over a rematch clause could derail a potential bout between the world heavyweight champions.

Fury and Usyk will meet at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 29, where the victor would emerge as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000. While the WBA has announced that an “agreement” has been reached, the fight is not officially over yet.

Talks appeared to stall over money demands last week until Usyk apparently accepted a 70-30 purse split in Fury’s favour. Usyk also urged Britain to donate $1 million to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.

Then on Monday (March 13), Fury urged Usyk to waive a rematch clause before the latter accused Fury’s team of even proposing the clause.

Fury had said: “Usyk’s people have been talking about rematch clauses and all that shit,” but Usyk replied in a social media video: “Greedy belly, the rematch clause came from your side, not mine.

“Stop whining and talking, be a man. Send the contract or clear the belt. I have to be undisputed and not play your stupid games.”

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk said so earlier in the day talk sport: “When we started negotiations, Fury’s side were the first to ask for the rematch. They were the first to ask for the rematch and we supported that. Once Usyk accepts a no rematch clause, they will still look for something else to find and retreat from the fight.

“I’ll tell you why: He bluffed and Usyk called his bluff – that’s 100 percent. He didn’t expect Usyk to accept 70-30.

“He wasn’t at a training camp and we saw the theatrical performance the next morning where he was pretending to be jogging and fighting someone in the ring. It’s about nothing. He’s not prepared, he’s afraid to fight. He will try to avoid Usyk for as long as possible.

“We don’t trust him, we don’t believe him.”

Fury, 34, holds the WBC heavyweight title while Usyk, 36, is a WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion.

Fury last fought in December, beating Derek Chisora ​​for a third time to retain the WBC London belt. Meanwhile, Usyk last boxed in August, tipping Anthony Joshua for the second time in 11 months to retain the unified heavyweight titles he took from the Brit in 2021.

Both Fury and Usyk are undefeated, with the latter previously reigning as the sole undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era.

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